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Schererville plan commission approves preliminary utility work for Apollo Group Addition Lot 2 with IDEM permit condition
Summary
The Plan Commission granted primary approval for underground utilities, a retention pond and landscaping at the Apollo Group Addition Lot 2 (Case 25-10-20) but amended the motion to require required IDEM permits before on-site work begins; wetlands and a missing photometric plan were noted in correspondence.
The Schererville Plan Commission on Oct. 6 granted primary approval for underground utility installation, a retention pond and landscaping at Apollo Group Addition Lot 2 (Case 25-10-20), but amended the motion to require that any work in areas subject to state environmental permits not begin until the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) signs off.
The condition follows correspondence read into the record from an engineering reviewer noting that portions of the eastern project area lie in the flood plain, and that wetlands identified on Lake County GIS must be addressed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and permitted with IDEM before construction. The reviewer also said a required photometric plan under the zoning ordinance (Title 17, Section 15) had not been submitted for review.
Petitioner Rich Ruth, represented by Taringa Engineering, sought primary approval limited to the front portion of the site for utilities, the retention pond, removal of fencing from a ditch, grading and landscaping. "We looked since two weeks ago for at the study session," the petitioner said, describing intent to install sewers, water, fill and landscaping for the front portion of the parcel. Planning staff and commissioners repeatedly noted that building construction would depend on wetlands delineation and agency approvals.
"I think it's a great thing that Mister Ruth has done here to improve the land even though he's not able to build quite yet," Mister Jarvis, a Plan Commission member, said. "...so that the bikes going along the bike trail can see the beautiful landscaping he's proposing."
Mister Jarvis made the motion to approve the development plan "pursuant to all state, local, federal regulations and fees to the town's share vote to be kept current." He amended the motion on the record to add a requirement that no on-site work subject to environmental permitting begin until required IDEM permits are obtained. The amendment was seconded by Mister Kocan. A roll call showed Jarvis, Long, Kocan, Rack, Kouras and President Tom Anderson voting yes; the motion carried 6-0.
Commissioners and staff emphasized that the approval covers the limited improvements described in the application and that building construction remains contingent on wetlands delineation and agency permits. The commission also recorded the engineering reviewer’s note that the photometric plan required by zoning had not yet been submitted.
The petitioner was directed to coordinate with town staff and obtain any required federal or state permits before commencing the work addressed by the approval.
