Redevelopment commission finds proposed $20M RV and boat storage project in compliance with North Hammond plan

The Hammond Redevelopment Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to determine that a proposed Class A RV and boat storage facility at 3518 Sheffield Avenue and 345130 Sixth Street is in compliance with the amended North Hammond redevelopment plan, subject to several conditions. Scott Yaney, attorney for Storage Development Hammond LLC, presented the proposal and answered commissioners’ questions during the meeting. The commission’s finding matters because the determination clears a procedural hurdle that allows the project to move forward to site and zoning reviews, but it is contingent on additional approvals and environmental documentation. Yaney told commissioners the project would remediate contaminated land and invest about $20 million in the city, creating roughly 100 construction jobs and about six permanent positions. Commission discussion centered on design materials, environmental cleanup and traffic. “This project will generate clean energy,” Scott Yaney said, describing plans for solar roofs over the storage bays that could produce excess energy for the grid. Yaney also said the developer plans covered, secured storage with controlled access and family-oriented amenities, including dog runs and a lounge area. Staff recommended the compliance determination be subject to: resolving a façade masonry requirement in the 2010 amendment (roughly one-third masonry facing the street), completion of a two-lot subdivision review by the planning commission, applicable variances by the Board of Zoning Appeals, documentation of wetlands and environmental compliance from the Army Corps of Engineers, IDEM and IDNR, and final technical approvals by city departments. City planning staff noted the site spans light industrial and C-4 zoning and that the developer proposes to consolidate under an I-1 designation. Commissioners also asked about traffic and boat storage specifics. Yaney said industry expectations indicate the facility would not generate significant daily traffic — “an average of about 3 to maybe 10 trips in and out per day” — and that storage units would be covered and secured, not an open yard. Planning staff flagged that final elevations and materials must demonstrate the masonry percentage required by the redevelopment plan. The commission’s roll-call vote recorded five yes votes and no dissent, with the determination passing 5-0. Next steps include planning commission subdivision approval, BZA variances if required, issuance of environmental clearances, and final technical sign-offs by city agencies.