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Plan commission approves revised Orchard Park plat, cites NIPSCO pole to be relocated
Summary
The Hammond City Plan Commission granted preliminary and final approval to a revised Orchard Park 2nd Addition plat—six lots and five outlots—subject to an existing sidewalk waiver and approval of a reduced street width; staff said a NIPSCO utility pole that encroached on the subdivision will be moved onto the easement when conditions allow.
The Hammond City Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve a revised plat for Orchard Park 2nd Addition, authorizing preliminary and final approval of a six-lot, five-outlot subdivision subject to two conditions: the previously granted waiver eliminating the east-side sidewalk on Florida Avenue and approval of a reduced street width by the Board of Public Works and Safety.
Mr. Pollan, acting as petitioner and staff, told the commission the revision adds a parcel “tail” behind properties on Idaho Avenue and 176th Street to slightly enlarge Lot 6 and to realign lot lines so they follow existing property boundaries. He said the core street layout will remain unchanged. The staff recommendation called for adoption of the staff report as findings of fact if the commission concurred.
Commissioners and staff discussed that the outlots are undersized, technically unbuildable parcels created to reflect existing encroachments; staff said the intent is that, if property owners choose to acquire those outlots, they would consolidate parcel numbers later to avoid tax-sale issues. Mr. Pollan said staff surveyed the encroachments and defined the outlot boundaries to accommodate adjoining owners.
A commission question focused on a NIPSCO utility pole that sits on the subdivision line near a cul-de-sac and needs to be fully placed on the utility easement. Staff said a sanitary/agency representative and NIPSCO had visited the site and that NIPSCO had been reluctant to relocate the pole while ground conditions were very wet; staff said the pole would be moved onto the easement as soon as the ground conditions allow and that staff is confirming whether the relocation has already occurred.
The commission opened the public hearing on the petition, invited comment and remonstrance, heard none and closed the public portion before the vote. The motion to adopt the plat as preliminary and final approval, subject to the sidewalk waiver and reduced-width approval, passed on roll call with nine ayes and zero nays.
The commission did not take additional action beyond the conditions described; further implementation depends on the Board of Public Works and Safety’s approval of the reduced street width and completion of any required utility relocations.
