Hammond Plan Commission approves six-lot Orchard Park addition, waives east-side sidewalk

The Hammond Plan Commission on a unanimous vote approved CP 26-4, a six-lot subdivision called Orchard Park, Second Addition, and granted a waiver to eliminate the sidewalk on the east side of the proposed Florida Avenue cul-de-sac.

The commission approved the waiver and the plat 9-0 after staff and the petitioner described lot sizes, street geometry and utility constraints that, staff said, make an east-side sidewalk impractical. "The lots are proposed to be ... ranging from 7,500 square feet to 11,900 square feet," petitioner Mr. Poland told the commission. Staff recommended the planning commission consider a waiver under the subdivision ordinance because the narrowness of the site and the layout of existing rear yards make a sidewalk on that side unreasonable.

Why it matters: the commission's decision lets the redevelopment commission move forward with street and utility design while reserving technical checks. Staff recommended and the commission approved preliminary and final plat approval subject to technical corrections, the previously approved sidewalk waiver and approval by the city engineer and the Board of Public Works and Safety to reduce the right-of-way width to 41 feet.

During public comment, neighbor Louis Justiano of 7523 Parish Avenue urged caution on drainage and elevations, saying, "Been there 25 years" and asking, "what's gonna be the elevation of that property? And then when it rains again, is that gonna cause water to go in into my backyard or the neighbor's yards?" City Engineer Dean Button replied that the roadway is in design and "there will be drainage, storm water facilities in the roadway to make sure that the drainage comes to the street and not into the backyards." He also reminded listeners that Hammond ordinance prohibits new properties from directing water onto neighboring property.

Staff and petitioner described site details to the commission: Florida Avenue would be a dead-end street about 292 feet long (under the 500-foot maximum allowed), the cul-de-sac circle is roughly an 81-foot diameter but truncated by the lot geometry, and proposed lot sizes vary to accommodate the cul-de-sac. Mr. Poland also said an existing pole and guy wire on the east side of the property "is sitting on the property line" and that the city engineer has contacted NIPSCO about relocating that pole to the platted easement behind adjacent houses.

Agency responses were mixed: the water department had no objection, AT&T ultimately indicated no objection, Comcast had raised concerns and had not yet filed a formal response at the time of the hearing, and other agency replies were still pending, according to staff.

Formal actions recorded at the meeting include a motion to grant the sidewalk waiver (moved by Commissioner Dabbert; seconded by Commissioner Kazimir Zack) and a motion to grant preliminary and final plat approval (moved by Commissioner Kazmierczak; seconded by Councilman Spitali). Both motions passed by roll call, 9 ayes, 0 nays. The commission also voted to accept the staff report as findings of fact.

Next steps: staff will complete technical corrections to the plat, the city engineer and the Board of Public Works and Safety must process any approval to reduce the street width to 41 feet, and the city will continue coordination with utilities (including NIPSCO and Comcast) before final construction approvals. The commission adjourned with no further new business; staff noted a March meeting was not anticipated.