Council approves rezoning for Trinity Lutheran site as developers seek studies to salvage historic church

The Crown Point City Council on Monday approved an ordinance rezoning the property at 400 East North Street so the site can be evaluated for nonresidential redevelopment and potential preservation. Jake Rose, with Dynasty Real Estate, and Mike Arnold, with Creekside, told the council they want the zoning in place before spending on structural and environmental assessments. "Environmental is just very important and very costly. Structural is very important and very costly, and this project is likely gonna be, in the millions of dollars," Rose said. Nut graf: The zoning change shifts the parcel from R-3 residential to OS-1 (office/service) and was presented as a necessary step for developers to spend on detailed engineering and environmental reports. Supporters at the meeting argued the rezone would allow them to pursue options that might preserve Trinity Lutheran Church, a structure residents called historically significant. Discussion: Developers said the building has significant water and structural damage and that preliminary work on engineers’ scopes will cost thousands of dollars; full rehabilitation, if possible, could cost millions. Rose said portions of the building added as apartments have beams not fixed to exterior walls and the basement is "soaking wet." Mike Arnold added the team needs to know zoning certainty to justify engineering expenses. Public comment included several preservation advocates. Debbie Hill, a Crown Point resident, described the church as "a very historic property" and said national preservation groups had featured the site. Janine Letcher, Lake County historian and Crown Point Community Library staff member, asked the council to "take that into consideration and help us preserve this important piece of our history." A neighborhood resident at 317 East Moore Street said local reaction to redevelopment plans had been largely positive. Recusal and process: Chad Jeffries, council president, announced he would recuse himself from the discussion because he serves on the board of the 1886 Foundation. Council members discussed a minor correction to the ordinance language before the vote. Action: The council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-07-18 (rezoning to OS-1) on second reading. The motion passed with recorded "yes" votes from council members called during roll call; the ordinance will allow developers to proceed with the studies they said are needed to determine whether the church can be saved or must be redeveloped. What's next: Developers said their next steps are to commission environmental and structural engineering reports. The council did not specify funding or a timeline for those studies. No final preservation or demolition decision was made at the meeting.