STATEHOUSE – Representative Hal Slager (Schererville) sponsored and State Representative Bill Fine (R-Munster) co-sponsored Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 429 which brings Lake County in line with the rest of Indiana regarding area planning and board of zoning appeals statute. Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1164 has been signed by the governor.
Counties have the option to allow area planning. Lake County was exempted from forming area planning commissions. This would remove that exemption, and this is a “may” statute. This is another tool local government can use. In all but 2 counties, the board of zoning appeals is final in zoning appeals. In Lake, board of zoning appeals decisions must go to the county legislative body.
“I am happy to be following in suit with the rest of the counties in Indiana,” said Rep. Slager. “I am confident this act will provide Lake County with more local control.”
The act also allows municipalities within Lake County to adopt area planning commissions if they choose. It is a tool that local units can use if they choose to work with bordering units to plan zoning uses.
“Allowing Lake County to have this statute will increase our local area planning,” said Rep. Fine. “This act is important for our community and I was pleased to be a co-sponsor.”
Visit www.iga.in.gov for more information about SEA 429 or www.IndianaHouseRepublicans for more information about Rep. Fine and Rep. Slager.
