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Town of Cedar Lake
Comprehensive Plan 2007
 U.S. 41 and 133rd Avenue Gateway Concept
A brief summary of the planning process and select maps can be viewed online. To review or purchase a copy of the full Comprehensive Plan, please contact the Town Hall.
Previous Planning Efforts
Since incorporation, the Town has adopted only one Comprehensive Plan to guide future development. If the plan is not revisited frequently and updated when necessary, it tends to be placed “on the shelf” and not consulted as time goes on. It is the intent of this Plan to change that pattern.
1980 Master Plan
The 1980 Master Plan was adopted in February 1980 and was compiled with the assistance of the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission. This plan used a “nominal group process” to solicit
public input at several public meetings. Consensus on issues and goals led to a plan that was centered on school and park facilities as the primary factor in siting and expanding residential neighborhoods.
The plan included implementation recommendations for parks acquisition and expansion (parks plans today are separate from the Comprehensive Plan), a thoroughfare plan and a land use plan. This plan did not propose major changes from the land use patterns in effect at the time, nor did it
anticipate the kind of growth the Town faces today. For this reason, as well as the age of the plan, it is no longer effective for planning purposes.
Cedar Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project
Over time, Cedar Lake has degraded in both water quality and as an aquatic habitat. Sedimentation, runoff and nutrient loading have all contributed to the lake’s current condition.
Until recently, there were no plans or controls to protect the lake or provide for its renewal.
In March 2005, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Cedar Lake Enhancement Association, began a five year environmental restoration project, under the Corps’ Section 206 ecosystem restoration authority. A main objective of this partnership is to restore and/or protect aquatic habitat for plants, fish, and other wildlife species. The overall project goals are:
- Remedy problems in the watershed contributing to the degradation of Cedar Lake’s ecosystem.
- Restore fish and wildlife habitat and create a healthier lake ecosystem.
- Increase biodiversity in the Cedar Lake ecosystem while reducing abundance of non-native species.
- Improve water quality in Cedar Lake and reduce turbidity in the water column.
Throughout the creation of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan, residents repeatedly expressed concern about the lake and its condition. Continued restoration and maintenance of the lake are major
recommendations of this Plan.
How The 2007 Plan Was Created
Cedar Lake followed a comprehensive planning process in developing this document to ensure participation from residents, public officials, Town staff and outside experts.
Process Overview
The document was prepared in cooperation with the Town Staff, the Comprehensive
Plan Steering Committee, the Plan Commission, and the Town Council.
- Project Kick-Off – A meeting with the Steering Committee in November, 2006 provided an opportunity for the consultants to meet the Committee, tour the town and learn about the town from its residents. This meeting also began the process of data collection.
- Public Involvement – Once data collection was complete, Cedar Lake
went well beyond the typical plan process for public outreach by conducting personal interviews, a focus group, a workshop open to the public and ‘Public Workshops In a Box’. Press releases were used before and after each event to further the outreach efforts.
- Draft Plan Preparation – Based on comments received through the public involvement process, a draft plan was prepared and reviewed by the appointed Steering Committee.
The document was revised based on their comments and forwarded to the Plan Commission.
- Adoption process – The Plan was adopted in accordance with Indiana Code. The Plan Commission held a public hearing on July 11, 2007, at which residents expressed opinions and had their questions answered. The Plan Commission recommended that the Town Council adopt the Plan.
Public Involvement Summary
Engaging the public and seeking community involvement was a priority in drafting the plan to ensure that the vision, goals, and recommendations captured the values and ideals of the community.
A variety of methods were employed for area residents to be involved. Workshops, focus groups, a
steering committee and plan commission meetings, as well as independent take-home meetings called "Public Workshops-In-A-Box," allowed everyone a chance to participate.
- Steering Committee - A 12-person Steering Committee was appointed by the Town Council to provide guidance and discussion on developing the comprehensive plan. The steering
committee met with the planning consultants to direct the public participation process, review drafts, and make suggestions for the final plan.
- Personal Interviews - One-on-one interviews with key Cedar Lake individuals
early in the process provided an assessment of perceived challenges and opportunities for the town. Asked to describe the ideal Cedar Lake, almost all participants chose words such as ‘Progressive’,
‘Clean’ and ‘Prosperous’.
- Public Forums - A focus group, public open house and “public workshops in a box” were conducted as part of discovering local issues, areas of concern and possible recommendations
for future development. Nearly 300 people participated in one or more of these events.
- Public Hearing: Once a draft of the plan was completed and was placed on file for review by the public, a public hearing was held to allow an additional opportunity for public comment. This was held at a Planning Commission meeting on July 11, 2007.
Adoption Process
Indiana Code requires a comprehensive plan to be created by the Advisory Plan Commission and adopted by the legislative body. Once the final draft was completed and approved by the Planning
Commission, a recommendation on its approval was adopted after the public hearing and forwarded to the Town Council. The Town Council approved the Comprehensive Plan by resolution on July 17, 2007.
Statutory Plan Requirements
Indiana Code, at IC 36-7-4-502, states that a comprehensive plan must contain at least
three elements:
- A statement of objectives for the future development of the jurisdiction;
- A statement of policy for the land use development of the jurisdiction;
- A statement of policy for the development of public ways, public places, public lands, public structures, and public utilities.
These requirements are addressed in Chapter 4, Concept Development (which states goals/objectives for the plan) and Chapter 5, Future Land Use Plan (stating land use and public facility policies). At IC-36-7-4-503, Indiana Code also includes a list of elements that may be included in a comprehensive plan. The Cedar Lake Comprehensive Plan is focused on future land use
within the designated planning area, but also makes recommendations regarding several of the other elements listed in the Indiana Code, such as public ways, transportation facilities, parks and open
spaces, public buildings and institutions, public works and capital facilities planning, and thoroughfare planning.
Planning Project Area
After analyzing the data and conferring with the Steering Committee, the overall planning project area was defined to coincide with the planned sewer service area, just under 36 square miles. It extends west to the Indiana/Illinois state line, includes land north of town to US 231 and south to 165th Street, Lake Dalecarlia and the hamlets of Brunswick and Klaasville. A
six-mile long section of US 41 connecting Cedar Lake with St. John and Lowell passes through the planning area. Several existing subdivisions, as well as some established businesses and small industries in outlying areas are also included.
Click on the following links to view select maps from the Comprehensive Plan:
Steering Committee
Our thanks and appreciation are warmly extended to the individuals who donated their time and talent:
- Lester “Charlie” Kaper, Chair
- Robert Carnahan
- Dennis Wilkening
- Jerry Reilling
- Stacy Brooks
- Ray Ferry
- Diane Jostes
- Brian Kubal
- Ryan May
- Dave Spall
- Greg Wornhoff
- Julie Zasada
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