Town of Cedar Lake
Unsafe Building Department
Public Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Roll Call

Minutes — February 18, 2026

Motion to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2026 meeting made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Active Unsafe

1. 14616 Dewey Street — Frick

Tom Frick, 8008 W. 146th Avenue, Cedar Lake, appeared. Mr. Frick reported he has been in contact with Glenn Boren (engineer) twice. Mr. Thiel indicated he had spoken with Jack Huls of DVG Engineering, who confirmed DVG has a clear understanding of the scope: drainage design for the Frick parcel only, with no connection to the adjacent Bugaboos property or any easement issues. DVG had hoped to have a drainage plan ready by tonight’s meeting but had not yet submitted anything to the Building Department. Mr. Gatto confirmed nothing had been received as of the meeting.

Discussion confirmed the following next steps: DVG will submit the drainage plan to the Building Department; Mr. Sherry (CBBEL) will review it; if approved, Mr. Frick will pull an updated building permit (the existing permit is near or past expiration). Mr. Gatto noted the permit renewal is straightforward — essentially a date update given the existing packet is on file. Mr. Frick may come in and update the permit at any time, prior to DVG’s submission. A stormwater structure exists on Dewey Street in front of the property, providing a drainage connection point. Once permits are in hand, the item moves to the Under Permit/Demo Order section and the board does not need to see Mr. Frick again.

Motion to defer 14616 Dewey Street for 60 days made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Deferred 60 days. Petitioner to update building permit; DVG to submit drainage plan to building department for engineering review.

2. 7704 W. 134th Court

No owner or representative appeared. Mr. Gatto reported the owner had been diligent in picking up the demolition and rebuild permit. The property has not yet been demolished but the permit is in hand.

Motion to move 7704 W. 134th Court to the Under Permit/Demo Order section made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Moved to Under Permit/Demo Order. Demo and rebuild permit obtained.

3. 13438 Hilltop

Deborah Maciaga, 13438 Hilltop, Cedar Lake, appeared as the property owner. Mr. Deutmeyer summarized the title history for the record: the property was originally held jointly by Deborah’s parents, Grace and Melvin. After Melvin died, an affidavit of survivorship was filed to move title into Grace’s name. After Grace passed, an affidavit of death and transfer (devolution affidavit) was filed by Illinois counsel, conveying the property in equal one-third shares to the three children: Deborah, Gary, and April, as tenants in common. Title is confirmed.

Mr. Gatto reported findings from a recent on-site inspection: the structure is on pillars; a building inspector examined the crawl space and observed that the center pillars are leaning, consistent with the house moving downhill. Side pillars are likely similarly affected. The roof eaves are deteriorating and will worsen over time. A tree is growing into the structure. The skirting is in poor condition. Windows had been broken; some are boarded. The house is considered structurally secure in the sense that it is not in immediate danger of collapse, but the foundation system requires attention.

Ms. Maciaga stated her intention is to repair the property. She and her daughter have already cleared trees from the backyard and she has purchased exterior paint. She plans to stabilize the foundation with jacks, repair windows, and address other items. Contractors cannot paint until May due to weather. The Board explained that any structural repair — particularly the pillar/foundation work — requires a submitted scope of work to be reviewed and approved by the building department before a permit can be issued. Use of a family member in construction is permissible if the homeowner is present on site throughout the work. Mr. Deutmeyer and Mr. Parker advised Ms. Maciaga to bring her chosen contractor and the Building Department together to develop a scope of work, then apply for a permit.

Motion to defer 13438 Hilltop for 60 days made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Deferred 60 days. Owner to coordinate with chosen contractor and building department to develop scope of work and apply for permit.

4. 13025 Tyler Street

No owner or representative appeared. Mr. Thiel noted that the general contractor the owner had been working with is no longer licensed in the Town of Cedar Lake. Mr. Gatto indicated the owner is likely aware, as the same contractor’s license was tied to a deck permit at another property owned by the same individual, and the owner was already told that permit could not be renewed due to the contractor’s lapsed license. The property is a two-story house visible from Lakeshore Drive heading west, with a blue tarp on the roof that has been in place for approximately five or more years. The property has been listed for sale.

Motion to defer 13025 Tyler Street for 30 days, directing the building department to place the owner on notice that a new licensed general contractor must be engaged within 30 days, and that the owner must appear at the April 15 meeting if the matter is not resolved, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Deferred 30 days. Building department to notify owner: new licensed contractor required; owner must appear April 15 if not resolved.

Potential Unsafe

1. 7204 W. 129th Lane — Letter Sent July 1, 2025

No owner or representative appeared. Mr. Gatto and Mr. Deutmeyer reported that the current owner of record is Real Estate Revival LLC, a recently organized company (organized approximately one to two months before purchasing the property) with members listed at 2½ Dumas Street in Valparaiso. The property was previously acquired by another entity at a tax sale, which then conveyed it to Real Estate Revival. Mr. Deutmeyer confirmed this through a title search and communication with the prior entity’s attorney.

The property has had an interior demo permit. A general contractor met on site after the demo, assessed what would be needed to restore the structure, submitted a proposal to the owners, and received no response. The building has a new or significantly improved foundation and a recent addition on the back, but non-continuous studs and deteriorated floor joists in other areas. The board agreed the structure is repairable but informal outreach has produced no results.

Motion to move 7204 W. 129th Lane from Potential Unsafe to Active Unsafe made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Moved to Active Unsafe. Letters to be issued; owner required to appear at April 15 meeting.

2. 13517 Dewey Street — Letter Sent February 20, 2026

No owner appeared. Mr. Thiel reported he had previously spoken with the owner (believed to be Mr. Perez), who had been working through title/ownership confirmation after prior occupants left the property in poor condition — reportedly ripping off the front door and leaving utilities running. The property is currently boarded up. The 60-day notice period from the February 20 letter has not yet expired (deadline approximately April 20, 2026). Mr. Gatto noted the owner cannot receive a building permit until ownership is confirmed.

The Board agreed no formal action is warranted yet given the unexpired notice period. Mr. Gatto will attempt to reach the owner by phone to determine: (1) whether title has been confirmed; (2) whether a permit will be pulled; and (3) status of debris cleanup on the adjacent lot to the south. If no meaningful response is received within 30 days, the item will be moved to Active Unsafe at the April meeting.

Status: No action. Building department to contact owner within 30 days. If no response, item moves to Active Unsafe at April 15 meeting. Note: 60-day notice letter period expires approximately April 20, 2026.

3. 7110 W. 128th Avenue — Letter Sent February 20, 2026

No owner appeared. Mr. Gatto reported the property consists of a foundation and new floor system only — no structure above grade has been built. According to GIS records, a house was present at a slightly different location on the lot as far back as 1998, suggesting the current foundation was not built on the original footprint. The owner has had multiple permits for the project dating to approximately 2017, renewing twice without making material progress. The building department recently declined to renew the permit further, as no construction progress has been made. The current permit is expired.

The owner was previously notified and the return receipt (green card) was received, though unsigned. Mr. Gatto indicated he will attempt to reach the owner directly given a possible language barrier, to explain the situation and explore whether the owner wishes to sell or build. The board expressed reluctance to demolish a sound foundation and floor system; Mr. Gatto noted that if a buyer were found, the original proposed plans could potentially be used as the basis for a new building permit.

The 60-day notice period from the February 20 letter expires approximately April 20, 2026. Mr. Gatto is directed to reach out to the owner and begin preparing the inspection report so the board can take action at the April 15 meeting if the owner does not respond.

Status: No formal action. Building department to contact owner and begin inspection report. Item to proceed to Active Unsafe at April 15 meeting if no meaningful response. Note: 60-day notice period expires approximately April 20, 2026.

Under Permit / Demo Orders

1. 13333 Lemoore Street

Mr. Gatto reported that L&M (the contractor) has significant investment in the project and messaged the owner last week; they are close to rough inspections. Mr. Deutmeyer confirmed that the property is no longer in an unsafe condition — it has been substantially rebuilt and is like any other active permitted construction project. Once a structure no longer presents an unsafe condition, the board’s jurisdiction effectively ends; continued listing is optional as a monitoring tool but not required.

The board agreed to remove the property from the Unsafe Building list entirely. The building department will continue to monitor through the normal permit inspection process.

Motion to remove 13333 Lemoore Street from the Unsafe Building list made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Removed from Unsafe Building list. Active building permit remains; Building Department to monitor through normal permit process.

2. 14324 Edison Street — Town of Cedar Lake

Mr. Thiel noted the property is Town-owned and that a public works crew was directed to clear a path to the structure to allow equipment access for demolition. Scheduling had not yet occurred, as another project took priority. The Board agreed demolition should proceed before vegetation grows back in. Mr. Gatto confirmed the goal is to get equipment on site as soon as weather and scheduling permit.

Status: No action required. Town directed to prioritize demolition access and scheduling before spring vegetation growth.

3. 13858 Butternut Street

Mr. Gatto reported the garage structure has been demolished — it is down and the debris is being removed methodically via dump trailer, with walls stacked rather than scattered. The property owner has an active demo permit and is making ongoing progress. Mr. Deutmeyer advised that once the structure is down and no unsafe condition remains, the Board’s jurisdiction ends; any remaining debris would be a nuisance/ordinance violation matter, not an unsafe building matter.

The board agreed to remove the property from the list. The building department retains oversight through the demo permit process.

Motion to remove 13858 Butternut Street from the Unsafe Building list made by Mr. Layman; seconded by Mr. Parker.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Status: Removed from Unsafe Building list. Demo permit active; building department to monitor debris removal through normal permit process.

4. 13957 Fairbanks Street

Zach James, 14611 Clark Street, Crown Point, appeared. Mr. James reported he picked up the demolition permit on Monday (March 16). The delay in obtaining the permit was due to a requirement to register as a general contractor, which required renewing his workers’ compensation exemption with the State — a process that added approximately 10 days. Since pulling the permit, Mr. James has removed all interior walls to stud and removed the entire back wall. The plan is to install temporary sheeting on the back for bracing, then complete the demolition. He anticipates requesting a site inspection from Mr. Gatto within two to three weeks and plans to have a building permit in hand by the April 15 meeting. The scope of work is consistent with original expectations: the front of the house will come down, sub-floor (except for one quarter of the house) will be replaced, and most floor joists are salvageable with possible sistering.

The board agreed that if a building permit is in hand before the April 15 meeting, Mr. James does not need to appear; the item will be removed from the list at that time.

Status: Permit obtained March 16, 2026. Demo underway. Building permit expected prior to April 15 meeting; item to be removed from list at April meeting if permit is confirmed.

Update Items

1. 13713 Parish Avenue — Diamond Peak Homes LLC

No formal update available. Mr. Thiel noted he has not spoken with Mr. Herbers (Diamond Peak) recently. The property owner’s stated intention remains conversion to a residential dwelling. The property is secured. Mr. Gatto noted the roof has holes, meaning water continues to enter the structure with every rainfall. Mr. Thiel indicated he will reach out to Diamond Peak to obtain a status update.

Status: No action. Chairman to contact Diamond Peak Homes for status update. Roof condition a continuing concern.

2. W. 127th Lane — Town of Cedar Lake

Mr. Thiel reported that Resolution No. 1389 authorizing disposal of this parcel was approved by Town Council at the March 17 meeting. The resolution process is underway; Mr. Deutmeyer confirmed the Town is processing the conveyance. The board agreed this item can be removed from the Unsafe Building update list, as the disposal process has been initiated and the demolition cost recovery mechanism was already addressed.

Mr. Thiel directed Ms. Hajduk to remove this item from the April agenda.

Status: Removed from agenda. Resolution No. 1389 passed March 17, 2026; Town Attorney processing parcel disposal.

Discussion

1. Adding Potential Unsafe Items to Next Month’s Agenda

Mr. Gatto presented a revised and updated written list of potential unsafe properties in Cedar Lake (replacing an older handwritten list). The board discussed the process for aciding new items: letters are sent to property owners with a 60-day response period; properties do not appear before the board until after that period. The board agreed to limit new additions to no more than three at a time under normal circumstances, to avoid overloading the active docket with simultaneous responses. Properties presenting immediate health and safety risk may be prioritized regardless of the three-item limit.

Mr. Gatto identified the following five properties as his recommended top priorities for the next round of letters, based on condition:

• 7409 W. 140th Place: No permits; the entire back wall of the house is missing and open to the elements. Has house wrap on exterior creating a misleading “under construction” appearance; grass is semi-maintained. Foundation and floor appear to be new construction.
• Polk Street Garage (address on list): Front wall of the second story of the garage is separating from the structure and faces the street, posing a public safety risk.
• Colfax Place (owner-occupied): Occupied structure in very poor condition; exterior visible deterioration. Occupied properties are prioritized due to health and safety concerns for residents.
• 128th Lane (rental, owner across street): Occupied rental property in poor condition. Owner’s address is across the street. Prioritized due to occupancy.
• VA-owned foreclosure property (bottom of list): House and pole barn behind a property on the list. Now VA-owned following foreclosure. Heavily overgrown, cluttered, in poor condition. Mr. Deutmeyer noted the VA as owner may not respond promptly to repair requests, though the property may be in the process of being sold, potentially to a flipper who would rehabilitate it quickly.

The Board agreed that the three occupied properties (7409 W. 140th Place, Colfax, and 128th Lane) and the Polk Street garage represent the most urgent additions given structural and occupancy concerns. Members will individually review the top candidates before the next meeting and coordinate with Mr. Gatto and Ms. Hajduk to send letters to the agreed-upon properties promptly, without waiting for the April meeting. The goal is to keep the notice clock running so new items are ready for board action as existing items resolve.

Action: Board members to review Mr. Gatto’s top-five list and coordinate with building department and Recording Secretary to send Potential Unsafe letters to selected properties before the April 15 meeting.

Public Comment

Mr. Thiel called for public comment three times. No public comment was received in person or online.

Adjournment

Mr. Thiel adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m.