Town of Cedar Lake
Unsafe Building Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance

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

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the April 15, 2026 regular meeting were presented for approval.

Motion to approve the April 15, 2026 regular meeting minutes made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Active Unsafe

1. 13025 Tyler Street — Moved to Under Permit / Demo Order

Mr. Thiel reported that the whole-house demolition permit was picked up on May 7, 2026. No further action is needed under Active Unsafe. Mr. Thiel proposed moving this item to the Under Permit / Demo Order section to keep it on the Board’s radar until the demolition is complete.

Motion to move 13025 Tyler Street to the Under Permit / Demo Order section made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

2. 7204 W. 129th Lane — 30-Day Deferral

Daniel Venegas appeared via Zoom (property address: 7204 W. 129th Lane). Mr. Venegas reported that he and his partner have differing intentions for the property — he wishes to sell and his partner wishes to keep it. He stated the title will be transferred from their company into his partner’s personal name within the next one to two weeks. Incoming owner information: Real Estate Revival, Joshua Sucec, 2½ Dumas Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383. Mr. Venegas indicated the new owner is aware of the Unsafe Building proceedings and will attend future meetings.

Mr. Parker requested that the incoming owner come to the June meeting with a firm timeline for beginning rehabilitation work. Ms. Hajduk will resend the premises report to Mr. Venegas and obtain the new owner’s contact information.

Motion to defer 7204 W. 129th Lane 30 days to the June 17, 2026 meeting made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

3. 7110 W. 128th Avenue — 30-Day Deferral with Title Search and Demo Order Preparation

No communication has been received from the property owner since the prior on-site contact, during which the owner stated he would “see us in court.” The property has been under ongoing construction for over seven years with multiple permit renewals and no progress. The existing structure is partially built on a foundation with deteriorated materials; an unrelated garage permit request on an adjacent lot has been denied due to the stalled house project.

Mr. Deutmeyer outlined the demo order timeline if the Board proceeds now: title work ordered from Fidelity (returned in approximately two weeks); demo order prepared for Board consideration at the June 17 meeting; if approved at June, notice sent by certified mail with affirmation hearing scheduled for July; assuming approval at the July hearing and the appeal window passing, demolition could be set for approximately August 1, 2026.

The Board agreed that proceeding now is preferable to repeating the pattern of extended deferrals. Mr. Parker and Mr. Thiel expressed reluctant support, noting the goal is to either prompt the owner to act or move toward demolition this construction season. Mr. Deutmeyer noted there is a $300 cost for the title report, which is a minimal risk if the owner ultimately comes forward with a viable plan.

Motion to defer 7110 W. 128th Avenue 30 days and to direct legal counsel to initiate a title search and prepare a demo order for Board consideration at the June 17, 2026 meeting made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

4. 14616 Dewey Street — Tom Frick — 30-Day Deferral

Tom Frick (8008 W. 146th Avenue) appeared. Mr. Frick reported he came into the Building Department and resubmitted updated paperwork to bring his application current for the current year. He has been in contact with Glenn at DVG Engineering, who advised him to submit what he had and that notes or comments would be written on the drawing by the Building Department. However, Tony Gatto’s notes indicate the Building Department still has not received a completed site plan from DVG.

Mr. Thiel stated he had spoken with Jack Huls (DVG Engineering) after a prior meeting and that Mr. Huls indicated he believed the drainage plan was complete. There appears to be a communication gap between what DVG believes was submitted and what the Building Department has on file. Mr. Thiel committed to contacting the Building Department the following day to review exactly what is in Mr. Frick’s file and determine what is still missing. He will then contact DVG to have any missing documentation sent directly to the Building Department. Mr. Frick was advised someone would contact him once the situation is clarified.

Mr. Parker noted that activity on Dewey Street has been significant recently — multiple new homes under construction — and encouraged Mr. Frick to get his permit and move forward. Mr. Parker added that if a building permit is issued within the 30-day window, Mr. Frick would not need to return to the June meeting; the item would simply be moved to Under Permit / Demo Order.

Motion to defer 14616 Dewey Street 30 days, with the condition that if a permit is obtained within that period, the item will be moved to Under Permit / Demo Order without requiring Mr. Frick’s return, made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

5. 13438 Hilltop — 30-Day Deferral

No appearance in person or via Zoom. Mr. Thiel noted this is the property where the owner (a daughter) is attempting to complete a transfer-on-death deed from her mother’s estate (mother’s name removed from title in 2019 via a prior instrument involving Melvin Heitman). The property owner is from the Elgin, Illinois area. Mr. Deutmeyer confirmed no transfer-on-death deed has been recorded as of the meeting date. Tax bills are going to the daughter at the same address, and 2025 and 2026 taxes have been paid.

Mr. Parker noted the transfer-on-death process takes time and is not likely to be resolved within a short window. The Board agreed to give one additional 30-day deferral and directed Ms. Hajduk to recontact the owner requesting that she appear either in person or via Zoom at the June 17 meeting.

Motion to defer 13438 Hilltop 30 days with direction for Ms. Hajduk to recontact the owner and request appearance at the June 17, 2026 meeting made by Mr. Parker; seconded by Mr. Layman.

Motion carries, 3–0.

Potential Unsafe

1. 13517 Dewey Street — Letter Sent February 20, 2026

Tony Gatto’s notes from a May 19 phone call indicate the owner advised the property will be going up for sale. Mr. Thiel noted a pending sale does not change the Unsafe Building proceedings. The Board directed Mr. Gatto to prepare a premises report on the property. No formal motion was required for this instruction; Ms. Hajduk to convey to Mr. Gatto at the next day’s building department meeting.

2. 14523 Colfax Place — Letter Sent April 13, 2026

Mr. Gatto performed a site inspection on May 19. The owner has been directed to apply for an exploratory demolition permit to investigate the extent of repairs needed. The Board noted this represents positive communication and cooperative intent. No formal action taken; monitoring to continue. Mr. Gatto’s update at the next meeting will confirm whether the permit application was submitted.

Status: Monitoring. Owner directed to apply for exploratory demolition permit. Update expected at June 17, 2026 meeting.

3. 7409 W. 140th Place — Letter Sent April 13, 2026

The certified letter was returned unclaimed (unsigned after three delivery attempts). The regular mail copy was not returned, indicating the address is likely correct and the owner is simply declining to sign for certified mail. Mr. Deutmeyer confirmed both certified and regular mail are sent as standard practice, and the return of only the certified letter indicates the address is valid. Mr. Parker noted the property appears to have significant structural issues based on prior observation — possibly the entire back of the house is open. Mr. Deutmeyer confirmed a Google Maps view from 2024 shows the front of the structure with no siding, only house wrap.

The Board directed Mr. Gatto to prepare a premises report and Ms. Hajduk to check utility billing records for an alternate contact address.

4. 13040 Polk Street — Jim DePersia — Letter Sent April 13, 2026

Jim DePersia appeared. Mr. DePersia owns the property at 13040 Polk Street as well as adjacent lots on both sides. The structure in question is a garage/storage building with a concrete block lower level and wood-framed upper story, located on or near the south property line. The structure has been in deteriorating condition for many years; a large tree fell on it approximately 40 years ago under a prior owner.

Mr. DePersia stated he had hoped to develop the property more extensively, potentially into a barndominium-style structure. He asked whether a 10-foot easement strip along the west side of the property could be vacated and whether the lot could be incorporated into an adjacent parcel to allow a larger footprint. Mr. Thiel and Mr. Parker discussed with Mr. Deutmeyer the legal and regulatory constraints:

The structure is a legally non-conforming use that encroaches on adjacent property lines. Under the Town’s zoning ordinance, if the existing structure is demolished and not rebuilt within six months, the non-conforming status is lost and full current setbacks apply — making any rebuild subject to BZA variance. Any arrangement beyond the Board’s 6-month rebuild window would exceed the scope of this Board’s authority and would need to go to the Town Council.

Mr. Parker’s strong recommendation: simply rebuild the existing upper structure on the sound concrete foundation in its current footprint at the earliest opportunity. This is the most practical and least expensive path forward, resolves the Unsafe condition, and does not foreclose future options. Expansion beyond the existing footprint — even with a lot line vacation — would face major setback and variance challenges. Mr. DePersia agreed to assess costs and report back. He stated the structure survived a 70-mph windstorm without movement and argued it is structurally sound from the concrete up.

The Board agreed this item does not yet need to move to Active Unsafe since Mr. DePersia responded within the letter’s 60-day window and is cooperative. Mr. DePersia was given 30 days to assess his options and return with a plan.

5. 7417 W. 134th Court — Letter Sent April 13, 2026

No update, no communication, and no appearance. The 60-day letter window has not yet expired (letter sent April 13; 60 days runs to approximately June 12). No action taken. The Board will review at the June meeting after the 60-day period has elapsed and will direct Mr. Gatto to prepare a premises report if no response is received.

Status: Within 60-day window. No action at this time.

Under Permit / Demo Orders

1. 14324 Edison Street — Town of Cedar Lake

The demolition permit remains active. No progress has been made on clearing access to the structure; wet ground conditions in the low-lying creek area have prevented equipment access. Mr. Parker urged Mr. Thiel to direct Tim King to cut an access trail using available equipment when a dry weather window allows. Mr. Thiel agreed and will follow up. The item will remain on the agenda.

Update Items

1. 13713 Parrish Avenue — Diamond Peak Homes LLC

No update from the Diamond Peak Homes contact. The property remains listed for sale and was last confirmed secure. No change in status.

Status: Property for sale. Secure. No change.

Public Comment

Mr. Thiel called for public comment three times and confirmed no one was online. No public comment was received.

Adjournment

Mr. Thiel adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.