Hammond City plan commission approves six‑lot Orchard Park subdivision, waives one‑side sidewalk

The Hammond City Plan Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 17 to approve CP26‑4, a preliminary and final plat for a six‑lot subdivision in the Orchard Park area, and to grant a staff‑recommended waiver removing the requirement for a sidewalk on the east side of the proposed Florida Avenue extension.

Mr. Poland, representing the Hammond Redevelopment Commission, told the commission the parcels were acquired in 2017 and that the proposed lots would range from about 7,500 to 11,900 square feet. “I’m here representing the redevelopment commission on this project,” he said, describing a truncated cul‑de‑sac layout and an existing utility pole that will need relocation. He said surveyors and utility locators had been on site as part of the standard platting process.

The commission’s staff report and Mr. Poland referenced Hammond’s subdivision ordinance (No. 4829) and an older municipal ordinance (No. 2992). Staff said current code delegates technical engineering standards to the city engineer and permits the plan commission to grant waivers under state statute. On that basis, staff recommended — and the commission approved — a waiver to eliminate the sidewalk on the east side of the new street because the lot depth and truncated geometry make a full two‑side sidewalk impractical.

During the public hearing a neighbor who identified their address as 7523 Parish Avenue said they have lived there 25 years and raised concerns that new construction could worsen flooding and that survey markers in their backyard might lead to disruption. “My address is 7523 Parish Avenue. Been there 25 years,” the resident said. The resident asked whether new lots would be higher than existing yards and whether utility poles would be moved.

Dean Button, the city engineer, said the roadway design will include stormwater features intended to direct drainage to the street rather than into backyards and noted the Hammond City ordinance prohibits new properties from directing water onto neighboring properties. “I’m Dean Button. I’m the city engineer,” he said, and offered to meet with the resident after the meeting to discuss grading and engineering details.

Mr. Poland told the commission that the proposed Florida Avenue segment would be roughly 292 feet long with a truncated turn radius and that, under the subdivision ordinance, sidewalks are required on both sides of a residential street. Because the street geometry and the locations of existing easements and backyards make a two‑side sidewalk impractical on the east side, staff recommended the waiver.

The commission voted 9–0 to grant the waiver to eliminate the east‑side sidewalk, 9–0 to grant preliminary and final plat approval subject to technical corrections and to the previously approved waiver, and 9–0 to accept the staff report as findings of fact. Staff’s recommendation also included obtaining approval from the city engineer and the board of public works and safety to reduce the street width to 41 feet; the plan commission noted it lacks jurisdiction to approve the reduced width and referred that step to the board of public works and safety.

The approvals were conditioned on (1) technical corrections to the plat (addresses and minor drafting adjustments), (2) final engineering approval for a 41‑foot roadway width by the city engineer and board of public works and safety, and (3) resolution of outstanding agency comments (Comcast response was pending at the time of the hearing). The petitioner and city engineer said they would follow up with affected neighbors about pole relocation and grading plans.

There was no further new business; the commission closed public comment and adjourned.