OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lake County Plan Commission Meeting - December 17, 2025

County Boards & Commissions — Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BodyLake County, Indiana
SessionCounty Boards & Commissions
DateWednesday, December 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

So if in order for me to stream start the meeting, clearly he'll be actually here.

0:37

All right, good evening.

0:39

Um call this meeting of the uh planning commission to order.

0:41

We all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please.

0:45

I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and justice for all these emergency exit announcements.

1:07

In case of an emergency exit the commissioner's courtroom, proceed to the stairs, go to the second floor and exit the building.

1:13

Do not enter an elevator in an emergency.

1:15

Require assistance, a plan commission playable escort or assist you.

1:19

Please silence any software in this meeting.

1:22

If you receive a call during this meeting, please excuse yourself with as little disruption as possible to these proceedings.

1:33

Present.

1:33

Rebecca Coast?

1:34

Here.

1:35

Christina Miller?

1:36

Here.

1:36

Jim Metra?

1:37

Here.

1:38

Can you say?

1:39

Here.

1:39

Paul Panzer?

1:40

Here.

1:42

Carrie Kitty?

1:43

Here.

1:43

Bill Everstone.

1:44

Here.

1:45

All right.

1:46

Welcome everyone.

1:48

Yeah, full house tonight.

1:50

Communication.

1:53

Yeah, I don't mind.

1:54

Got a few things for you under communications.

1:56

The first one, and I hate to pop it on you one time, but we have to appoint a committee for officers for next year.

2:05

I don't know who you want to sit on the committee.

2:07

I don't get involved in that, but that's up to you.

2:11

Any any volunteers?

2:15

All right.

2:16

Also Mr.

2:17

Chairman.

2:17

I'm here anyway.

2:19

All right, volunteers for you can be for that.

2:22

All right.

2:23

Frank?

2:24

Jim, me, um.

2:26

Uh Commissioner Yonga?

2:29

Sure.

2:29

All right.

2:29

Commissioner Fish.

2:32

So I've got Jim, Frank, Bill, and Jessica.

2:36

Yep.

2:38

Thank you for that reminder.

2:40

One more thing.

2:41

Okay, I did it last time.

2:43

The second item I have is you have two sets of dates for next year along with the times.

2:50

Um to leave the decision up to you, but I know historically our BCA meetings are set for 6 p.m.

2:59

They never start until closer to 6 30.

3:02

And it's more for the people that are attending for to hear their petitions, they show up early and then sit here until 7 30 or 8 o'clock.

3:10

So you have one 2026 public hearing date for 6 o'clock for the BZA, the plan commission, no changes, and you have one for 6.30, which our recommendation is to try to 6 30 so that people aren't walking around waiting to come in and early not having it.

3:30

I don't have this one uh one of the clock or something.

3:33

Yeah, we don't have to.

3:34

You got to six o'clock last month, I think.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning███████████████████████████████████35%
Zoning Regulations█████████████████████████25%
Procedural███████████11%
Technology and Innovation███████████11%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Public Comment███3%
Transportation Safety██2%
Environmental Protection██2%
Water And Wastewater Management█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake County Plan Commission Meeting - December 17, 2025

The Lake County Plan Commission met on December 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM. The meeting included approvals of routine items, several zone change requests, a special exception deferral, and a study session for a proposed data center. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved as presented.
  • 2026 Meeting Schedule: Approved with BZA meetings starting at 6:30 PM (motion, second, unanimous).
  • Nominating Committee: Appointed Commissioners Jim, Frank, Bill, and Jessica to select officers for next year.
  • Longspur Battery Storage Update: A letter providing an update on the battery storage facility was received and noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • 25-ZC-10 (Dadlow): Jacob Parker (13010 W. 173rd Ave) spoke in favor, stating the subdivision would improve property values and bring new residents.
  • 25-ZC-11 (Kleefisch): Bill Hathaway (15625 Hendricks) expressed concerns about potential for more than two lots, drainage, septic feasibility, and possible wetland status. He urged careful evaluation before rezoning.
  • 25-ZC-12 (James): Martin Zabrigan (4752 W. 141st Ave) questioned how access would be provided for lots given the dead-end road. The petitioner clarified access would be from Clark Street.

Discussion Items

  • Old Business: 25-SE-07 (Aaron Hacker) – Request for special exception to deposit solid fill. The petitioner requested a 30-day deferral, citing an upcoming site visit by staff. The commission granted the deferral unanimously. Commissioner Tippy noted the need for a robust report on the scope of work already done.
  • New Business: 25-ZC-09 (Mason) – Removed from agenda due to improper advertising.
  • New Business: 25-ZC-10 (Dadlow) – Zone change from A-1 to RR for a proposed 3-lot subdivision on 18 acres. Staff noted required minimum lot size (4.5 acres) and major subdivision rules (two points of access). Petitioner acknowledged potential need for variances. Favorable recommendation to County Council (motion, second, unanimous).
  • New Business: 25-ZC-11 (Kleefisch) – Zone change from A-1 to RR for 29 acres, proposed 2-lot subdivision. Petitioner committed to limiting to two lots. Staff noted wetlands and drainage would be addressed at subdivision stage. Favorable recommendation (motion, second, unanimous).
  • New Business: 25-ZC-12 (James) – Zone change from A-1 to RR for ~32 acres, up to 5 lots (4 new). Staff clarified right-of-way dedication requirements. Petitioner stated access from Clark Street. Favorable recommendation (motion, second, unanimous).
  • New Business: 25-ZC-13 (Niementomski) – Zone change from A-1 to R-1 for a single-family home. No public comment. Favorable recommendation (motion, second, unanimous).
  • New Business: 25-XP-02 (Unity Church) – One-year extension of primary plat approval (expiring Jan 15, 2026) to Jan 15, 2027. Approved unanimously.

Study Session: 25-SS-07 – Johnson Sunnybrook Farm (Sentinel Data Centers)

  • Presentation: The developer proposed a ~500 MW hyperscale data center on ~160 acres near SR-2 and Clay Street. Estimated $5B total investment, 2,500+ construction jobs over ~5 years, and 250+ permanent on-site roles. The project would use air-cooled systems (no cooling towers), on-site well/septic, and comply with the 55 dB noise ordinance. Power would be supplied by NIPSCO under a special contract, with the developer bearing all costs. The site is near existing industrial uses (battery storage, concrete plant, NIPSCO substation).
  • Commission Discussion:
    • Commissioner Niemeyer emphasized transparency, urging the developer to make materials publicly available and avoid NDAs with elected officials. The developer confirmed NDA is only with NIPSCO and committed to openness.
    • Questions addressed backup generators (diesel, sound-attenuated), water usage (minimal), and the need for an on-site substation (owned by NIPSCO).
    • The developer noted the project will follow the county's new special exception ordinance, including an environmental impact assessment.
  • Outcome: No vote; study session only. The developer will proceed to formal rezoning application if they choose.

Key Outcomes

  • 25-SE-07 (Hacker): Deferred 30 days pending site inspection.
  • 25-ZC-09 (Mason): Deferred due to improper advertising.
  • 25-ZC-10 (Dadlow): Favorable recommendation to County Council (unanimous).
  • 25-ZC-11 (Kleefisch): Favorable recommendation to County Council (unanimous), with petitioner commitment to limit to two lots.
  • 25-ZC-12 (James): Favorable recommendation to County Council (unanimous).
  • 25-ZC-13 (Niementomski): Favorable recommendation to County Council (unanimous).
  • 25-XP-02 (Unity Church): One-year extension approved (unanimous).
  • Study Session: No action taken. The commission received information and provided feedback; next steps are formal rezoning application and public hearings.

Public Comment (General)

  • A member of the public (Caster Ship) humorously requested a compliance officer from Santa and noted elevator repairs needed. No other comments.

Meeting Transcript

So if in order for me to stream start the meeting, clearly he'll be actually here. All right, good evening. Um call this meeting of the uh planning commission to order. We all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and justice for all these emergency exit announcements. In case of an emergency exit the commissioner's courtroom, proceed to the stairs, go to the second floor and exit the building. Do not enter an elevator in an emergency. Require assistance, a plan commission playable escort or assist you. Please silence any software in this meeting. If you receive a call during this meeting, please excuse yourself with as little disruption as possible to these proceedings. Present. Rebecca Coast? Here. Christina Miller? Here. Jim Metra? Here. Can you say? Here. Paul Panzer? Here. Carrie Kitty? Here. Bill Everstone. Here. All right. Welcome everyone. Yeah, full house tonight. Communication. Yeah, I don't mind. Got a few things for you under communications. The first one, and I hate to pop it on you one time, but we have to appoint a committee for officers for next year. I don't know who you want to sit on the committee. I don't get involved in that, but that's up to you. Any any volunteers? All right. Also Mr. Chairman. I'm here anyway. All right, volunteers for you can be for that. All right. Frank? Jim, me, um. Uh Commissioner Yonga? Sure. All right. Commissioner Fish. So I've got Jim, Frank, Bill, and Jessica. Yep. Thank you for that reminder.

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