Town of Cedar Lake
Plan Commission
Public Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Kiepura called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Minutes

Minutes of the March 4, 2026 Work Session and March 18, 2026 Public Meeting were distributed in advance. No corrections were noted.

Motion to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2026 Work Session and March 18, 2026 Public Meeting made by Mr. Carnahan; seconded by Mr. Hunley.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Old Business

1. 2026-02 — Municipal Complex Subdivision Plat — Final Plat

Mr. Sherry reported no changes from the previously approved preliminary plat. The purpose of the final plat is to create clean legal lots of record for the police and fire department properties. Mr. Kubiak confirmed no Building Department concerns. Commission members noted the matter is straightforward.

Motion to approve the Final Plat for the Municipal Complex two-lot subdivision (2026-02) made by Mr. Hunley; seconded by Mr. Wilkening.

Motion carries, 7–0.

2. 2026-04 — Fernandez & Bies — Preliminary Plat — Ravine Estates

Mr. Austgen advised that any action should be conditioned upon legal verification, as the full legal documentation had not yet been confirmed in the file at the time of the hearing. Ms. Hajduk indicated she would follow up to verify.

Marino Fernandez appeared on behalf of the petitioners. Mr. Kiepura noted that the petitioners had previously appeared before the BZA on April 9, 2026, and received the necessary variances for frontage and the ingress/egress setback. This preliminary plat is the next step in the subdivision process.

Mr. Sherry had no engineering comments. Mr. Kubiak confirmed the BZA variances are in order. Mr. Carnahan noted, as a comment for the record, that the Lot 2 vicinity address of 7009 W. 129th Place appears unusual given the location closer to Morse Street; however, the plat reflects this designation and it was accepted as stated.

No remonstrators appeared.

Motion to approve the Preliminary Plat for Ravine Estates (2026-04), contingent upon verification of legals, made by Mr. Wilkening; seconded by Mr. Swick.

Motion carries, 7–0.

3. Hanover Community School Corporation — Performance Letter of Credit

Mr. Kubiak reported on the status of the Hanover Community School Corporation Letter of Credit. The performance letter of credit covers water main and sidewalk improvements (which have been inspected and accepted) and a detention basin (which remains incomplete due to an unresolved Norfolk Southern Railroad culvert blockage).

The proposed resolution separates the two components:

• Water Main/Sidewalk: All inspections have been completed and accepted. These items are ready to convert from performance to maintenance bond.
• Detention Basin: Mr. Sherry’s estimate for the outstanding detention basin work is $16,000 (with the required 110% surety factor, $17,600). The school has agreed to post a separate $25,000 performance letter of credit specifically for the detention basin, to remain in place indefinitely until the culvert issue is resolved and the basin work is completed.

The original performance letter of credit will expire May 24, 2026. The agreed framework requires the new maintenance and performance letters of credit to be in place before that date. If the documentation is not received by May 21, 2026, the original letter of credit will be called.

Mr. Carnahan also reported that he contacted Kelly Anton, Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Todd Young, regarding the Norfolk Southern Railroad culvert blockage. Ms. Anton indicated a staff member is working on the matter and will provide a response before Tuesday, April 21. Mr. Carnahan indicated he will report this update at the April 21 Town Council meeting. Mr. Sherry confirmed the Commission directed Mr. Kubiak to notify the school corporation of the actions taken.

Motion 1 — Maintenance Letter of Credit (Water Main/Sidewalk)

Motion to approve conversion of the Hanover Community School Corporation performance letter of credit to a maintenance letter of credit in the amount of $33,959.75 for the water main and sidewalk improvements, for a term of three years, with a pull date of May 21, 2026 if the documentation is not received, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Wilkening.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Motion 2 — Performance Letter of Credit (Detention Basin)

Motion to accept a new $25,000 performance letter of credit from Hanover Community School Corporation for the stormwater detention basin infrastructure, to remain in place indefinitely pending resolution of the Norfolk Southern culvert issue, with a pull date of May 21, 2026 if the letter of credit is not received, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Swick.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Update Items

1. Lakeside Unit 2, Block 1 — Performance Letter of Credit

Mr. Sherry reported that Schilling (the developer) intends to convert this performance letter of credit to maintenance; however, there are outstanding punch list items. A final engineering inspection was scheduled for the day following the meeting. Outstanding items from the engineering standpoint are expected to be minor, but the list will not be known until the inspection is complete. Mr. Kubiak noted Public Works was also conducting an inspection.

Given the tight timeline (LOC expires May 15) and weather uncertainty, Mr. Kubiak suggested the Commission authorize a possible extension of up to 90 days for the performance letter of credit, in addition to setting a pull date, to avoid the LOC expiring while punch list items are still outstanding.

Motion 1 — Pull Date

Motion to set a pull date of May 8, 2026 for the Lakeside Unit 2, Block 1 Performance Letter of Credit if punch list items are not completed and conversion documentation is not received, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Wilkening.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Motion 2 — Extension Authorization

Motion to authorize an extension of the Lakeside Unit 2, Block 1 Performance Letter of Credit for up to 90 days in the existing amount, if needed following the final inspection, to allow sufficient time to complete punch list items and convert to maintenance, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Becker.

Motion carries, 7–0.

2. Beacon Pointe Unit 4 — Maintenance Letter of Credit

Mr. Sherry reported a punch list was compiled in October 2025. A reinspection was performed in recent weeks; the list is essentially unchanged, consisting of minor items. Mr. Kubiak indicated Public Works was also performing a final inspection. Items are expected to be minor. The LOC will expire permanently if not renewed; a pull date was set consistent with the other LOCs.

Motion to set a pull date of May 8, 2026 for the Beacon Pointe Unit 4 Maintenance Letter of Credit if outstanding punch list items are not corrected, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Wilkening.

Motion carries, 7–0.

3. CLBD South / Lakeview — Maintenance Letter of Credit

Mr. Sherry reported he had emailed a punch list approximately one hour before the meeting. Items are minor — approximately a half-dozen, including a missing or knocked-down sign and a small section of curb. Mr. Kubiak indicated Public Works was also conducting a final inspection; any additional items found are expected to be minor.

Motion to set a pull date of May 8, 2026 for the CLBD South / Lakeview Maintenance Letter of Credit if outstanding punch list items are not corrected, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Wilkening.

Motion carries, 7–0.

Tabled Items

• 2023-18 — Bay Bridge
• 2023-19 — Founders Creek
• 2023-20 — Red Cedars

Public Comment

Jeff Biel — Cedar Lake

Mr. Biel asked about the Municipal Complex Final Plat (Item 2026-02), specifically whether the final plat was required to be approved before construction began rather than after the fact. Mr. Austgen responded that the platting requirements referenced by Mr. Biel do not apply in this manner under the Town’s Ordinance No. 498 governing subdivision platting. Mr. Parker acknowledged that while the ideal sequence would have been to complete the plat earlier, the action corrects the record by establishing the legal lots of record. Mr. Biel expressed disagreement with the process; the exchange was noted for the record without further action.

Carol Kerr — 9900 W. 129th Place

Ms. Kerr was present in the meeting room. Mr. Wilkening addressed her directly, stating he had watched the April 7, 2026 Town Council meeting and wished to apologize to her for not having had full information when she spoke at that meeting. He indicated the matter she raised — regarding the exchange between Mr. Parker and Town Manager Eldridge — involved background context she may not have had, and that with full context she might view the situation differently. He declined to share specifics publicly, describing the matter as town business, but acknowledged the incident had been discussed after the prior meeting and he believed it had been resolved. Mr. Wilkening shared the following background: an email he sent to Mr. Eldridge was shared with Mr. Kubiak, who advised Mr. Eldridge the approach was not advisable; however, the code enforcement action proceeded the next day. Mr. Wilkening stated he told Mr. Eldridge directly at Town Hall that the action was a liability concern, and characterized the original decision as made in haste.

Ms. Kerr responded that she had observed Mr. Eldridge treated poorly at the Town Council meeting and that Mr. Parker owed him an apology. She questioned how Mr. Eldridge could be faulted for conducting code enforcement inspections if he had not been clearly instructed otherwise. She expressed broader concern about the treatment of Town staff. Mr. Kiepura thanked Ms. Kerr for her statement and closed public comment. The exchange was noted for the record without further action by the Commission.

No further public comment was received.

Adjournment

Mr. Kiepura adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:40 p.m.