Lake County Plan Commission Meeting - January 21, 2026

The Lake County Plan Commission met on January 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, emergency exit instructions, and roll call. Commissioners present: Christina Miller, Jim Metro, Anne Huseman, All Hands In, Jerry Tiffany, Bill Anderson. The commission handled several zoning, subdivision, and planning items, including deferrals, approvals, and two study sessions. The meeting concluded with public comments regarding a junkyard near a veterans memorial and concerns about annexation.

Consent Calendar

• Officers Re-elected: The commission voted unanimously to keep Bill Emerson as President and Jim Metro as Vice President for 2026.
• Ordinance Advertisement: Approval granted to advertise two ordinances mirroring solar requirements for Battery Energy Storage Facilities and Data Centers, with a public hearing scheduled for the next month.
• November 2025 Minutes: Approved unanimously.

Old Business

• 25-SE-07 BZA – Aaron Hacker (Solid Fill Exception): The petitioner requested a deferral to continue working on issues identified during a December 18, 2025, on-site visit with county representatives. The commission granted the deferral to the February 18, 2026, meeting. The property is located at 13535 Iowa Street, Center Township, and the request is for a special exception to allow deposit of solid fill.

New Business

• 26-FS-01 – Purkey Acres (Final Plat Approval): The petitioner, Glenn Crocked, requested final approval for a 2-lot subdivision at 20009 Colfax Street, Cedar Creek Township. Staff reported favorable comments from all agencies. The commission approved the final plat unanimously.
• 25-ZC-09 – Roy W. & Sandra S. Mason (Zone Change): Removed from the agenda because the petitioners failed to advertise for the second consecutive month. The request was to rezone from A-1 Agricultural to RR Rural Residential for a proposed subdivision at 4607 W. 173rd Avenue, Cedar Creek Township.
• 26-W-01 & 25-PS-01 – Skurka Estate (Waiver & Primary Plat): The petitioner, Doug Reddick, requested a waiver from the depth-to-width ratio (145 ft wide by over 1400 ft deep, exceeding the 3.5:1 limit) and primary plat approval for a 1-lot subdivision on a 5-acre parcel at 15104 W. 109th Avenue, Hanover Township. No public comment was heard. The commission approved both the waiver and the primary plat unanimously.
• 26-W-02 – Midland States Bank / Venkata Naresh Kiran Diddi (Waiver for Resubdivision): The petitioner sought a waiver to resubdivide Lot 2 in Diversified Acres, located at E. 181st Avenue (State Road 2) in Eagle Creek Township, to re-establish a no-access easement eliminated by a prior taking. Staff clarified that the waiver merely permits resubdivision; future site-specific approvals would address access and easement issues. No public comment was heard. The commission approved the waiver unanimously.

Study Sessions

• 26-SS-01 – Martin & Kimberly Butler (Rezoning to B-1 for Firewood Sales): Attorney D. Eric Neff presented on behalf of the owners of a 0.3-acre parcel at 15504 W. 101st Avenue, St. John Township. The property currently operates as a firewood processing and retail business without a dwelling, having existed for 8 years. The owner, a firefighter, stated he received a citation and seeks rezoning from R-3 to B-1 to legalize the use. Neighbors submitted letters of support. Commission members expressed concern about spot zoning in a residential area (all surrounding R-3) and the potential for additional commercial requests. No action was taken; the applicant was encouraged to file a formal zone change application which would trigger a public hearing.
• 26-SS-02 – Crossroads YMCA (Pond Expansion and Fill): The YMCA proposed expanding two existing ponds at their Triangle Hills Camp and Retreat Center (3838 W. 141st Avenue, Center Township) from a current depth of less than 1 foot in some areas to a consistent 4–8 feet for canoeing and water safety education. Approximately 46,000 cubic yards of material would be removed and spread outside the floodplain. The project lies within the 100-year floodplain and floodway, requiring a special exception and variance from the BZA. The YMCA anticipated IDNR approval by mid-February and sought to submit applications concurrently. Commissioners praised the camp's operations but raised concerns about sediment control and downstream water quality (Fos Ditch). The YMCA indicated work would be scheduled to avoid peak summer camp operations.

Site Development Plans

• 26-SDP-01 – V1 Tempo, LLC (Warehouse/Distribution Center): The project, located on the south side of State Road 2 (E. 181st Avenue) east of Mississippi Street and west of I-65 in Eagle Creek Township, received final site plan approval for foundation-only construction. The building will initially be 1.2 million square feet with potential future expansion. All required improvements (mass grading, shoulder ditch, and Mississippi Street/Route 2 intersection work) were completed. The commission approved the final site plan unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Speaker (Veteran): Expressed frustration over a junkyard operation adjacent to the Korean Veterans Memorial, stating it has been operating for 10 months without resolution. He urged the commission to involve the county attorney and enforce fines (estimated $50,000–$75,000 accumulated). He noted that Congressman Frank Mervin and Senator Rick Niemeyer have been contacted and that the memorial's walking path is a key phase for the nation's 250th anniversary.
• Second Speaker (Denise Rodens): Representing unincorporated Hanover Township residents, she voiced concerns about annexation by neighboring towns (St. John, Cedar Lake) and the lack of county control over developments that impact county roads, services, and schools. She asked for guidance on how unincorporated residents can protect their interests. Commissioners explained that annexation is a state law matter and encouraged residents to monitor state legislation and contact their state representatives.

Key Outcomes

• Officers Re-elected for 2026 (unanimous).
• Two ordinances to be advertised for public hearing.
• November 2025 minutes approved.
• 25-SE-07 (Hacker) deferred to February 18, 2026.
• 26-FS-01 (Purkey Acres) – Final plat approved.
• 25-ZC-09 (Mason) – Removed from agenda.
• 26-W-01 & 25-PS-01 (Skurka Estate) – Waiver and primary plat approved.
• 26-W-02 (Diddi) – Waiver approved.
• 26-SS-01 (Butler) – No action; study session concluded.
• 26-SS-02 (YMCA) – No action; study session concluded.
• 26-SDP-01 (V1 Tempo) – Final site plan approved (foundation only).
• Public comments received; no formal action taken.