Porter County staff advise landscaping supplier applicant to address septic, drainage and traffic before BZA hearing

An informal Porter County pre-application review on an application filed as UV-202562 for Home Based Properties Inc. — represented by applicant Mike Crilly — highlighted technical hurdles the county expects the Board of Zoning Appeals to examine, including septic system feasibility, stormwater/drainage, driveway permits and noise or dust controls.

County staff told Crilly the 4.27-acre parcel at 1050 North (Chesterton), in Liberty Township and currently zoned rural residential, has been vacant for decades but that some on-site filling and a parking pad have already been placed. Staff members said those changes and the site’s flat, low-lying character will make stormwater and septic design critical issues for approval.

The most immediate procedural outcome is a referral to the BZA for a formal hearing: staff confirmed the case will appear before the Board on Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. and advised Crilly to prepare a site development plan, soils reports and septic/wastewater options before that meeting.

Why it matters: county staff told the applicant that, beyond zoning approval, the…