Cedar Lake board defers multiple unsafe-building cases pending permits and drainage plans

The Town of Cedar Lake Unsafe Building Board on June 17 deferred multiple unsafe-building matters to give property owners time to secure permits, submit scopes of work or provide engineering drainage plans.

At 7204 West 129th Lane, the owner’s representative, Josh, told the board the property was transferred into his name, had been boarded up and that he intends to renovate. "We transferred the property out of our business and into my name because I'm gonna keep it and renovate it," Josh said. The board asked for a definitive scope of work and for the owner to coordinate with the billing/building department; without that plan the item will remain on the agenda. Mister Parker moved to defer to July 15; the motion was seconded and passed 3–0.

At 7110 West 128th Avenue, Peter (speaking for his brother, owner Tadeus Ocrengak) said the foundation is in place but that past health issues and limited funds stalled work that began in 2018. He told the board the family has materials on site but lacks money for additional permit fees. Staff explained the town requires demonstrable progress and a clear scope before reissuing or extending permits; the board declined requests to front permit fees. The board deferred the item for 30 days so staff and the owners can develop a plan; a permit pulled before the next meeting will excuse the owner from appearing.

Tom Frick raised drainage concerns for 314616 Dewey Street, saying stormwater from a neighboring parking lot has left much of his property soggy. "I'm flooded out in his parking lot and got no standing water in it," Frick said, describing how recent fills appear to have changed sheet flow toward his lot. Staff said the outstanding issue delaying the permit was a missing drainage plan from engineer Glenn; the board asked staff to follow up with Glenn and Luke (building) and deferred the item 30 days, or until a permit is pulled.

On 413040 Polk Street, owner Teddy DiProzia described repeated garage flooding during heavy rains and outlined a plan to raise the garage floor and submit permit documents. The board made a conditional deferral: Tony (building inspector) will inspect and confirm the proposed work is feasible; if so and if permits are issued before the next meeting the applicant need not return.

Across the deferred cases, board members emphasized the town’s standard practice of encouraging owners to fix properties when possible but reiterated that visible progress or a pulled permit is required before a case is removed from the agenda. Multiple motions to defer were made and carried by unanimous roll-call votes recorded in the transcript.