Boards & Commissions

Commissions to oversee the needs of the community.

Click below to view the Town Meeting schedule for the year:

Board of Safety

Board of Safety meetings focus on matters pertaining to the Police Department and Fire Department.  Typical meetings may include discussions of policy changes, approvals for new equipment, employment and personnel matters or other details relating to the needs of the two departments.

Board of Safety Members are:

  • TBD
  • Charlie Kaper
  • James Olthoff
  • Norman Stick
  • David Villalobos
  • Julie Rivera, Town Council Liaison*
  • Bob Carnahan, Town Council Liaison*

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals hears requests for variances from the zoning ordinances as well as special use exemptions and appeal applications.The Town of Cedar Lake Board of Zoning Appeals consists of 5 members: 3 citizens are appointed for a 4-year term, the Town Council appoints a Plan Commission Member annually and the Plan Commission appoints a Plan Commission Member.

Board of Zoning Appeals members:

  • TBD
  • Ray Jackson
  • John Kiepura (Town Council Annual Appointment)
  • Eric Burnham
  • Jim Hunley (Plan Commission Annual Appointment)

Joint Management and Oversight Board

The Joint Management and Oversight Board (JMOB) is the oversight committee for the Lowell Waste Water Treatment Plant. Cedar Lake and Lake Dalecarlia both use the Lowell plant to treat sewage. The JMOB is responsible for overseeing the cooperative efforts to manage the plant.

For additional information about the JMOB please contact us at 219-374-7400.

Park Board

The Parks and Recreation Board presides over the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department and oversees the development and maintenance of the parks and recreation programming.

  • Dale Holsti – dale.holsti@cedarlakein.org
  • Gregory Marquardt – greg.marquardt@cedarlakein.org
  • Sarah Miller – sarah.miller@cedarlakein.org
  • Paul Rodriguez – paul.rodriguez@cedarlakein.org
  • Julie Rivera, Town Council Liaison*
  • Mary Joan Dickson, Town Council Liaison*

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission hears request to rezone, subdivide, or make changes to the zoning and subdivision codes. In addition, the Plan Commission is responsible to approve site plans, preliminary plats, and final plats for residential and commercial developments in the town.

The Town of Cedar Lake Plan Commission consists of 7 members: 4 citizens are appointed for a 4-year term and the Town Council appoints 3 members annually.

  • Jim Hunley
  • Heather Dessauer
  • John Kiepura
  • Jerry Wilkening
  • Robert Carnahan, Town Council Member*
  • Greg Parker, Town Council Member*
  • Chuck Becker, Town Council Member*

* Town Council members are appointed on an annual basis.

Redevelopment Commission

The Cedar Lake Redevelopment Commission (RDC) is dedicated to enhancing the Town’s economic vitality and to expanding the Town’s tax and employment base. In addition, the Commission oversees the Town’s Tax Increment Financing district and projects within those districts.

Currently, the RDC is involved in several projects, including the widening of 133rd Avenue and the Capital Improvement Program Road Projects, which includes several road and drainage improvement projects throughout the Town.

The Town of Cedar Lake Redevelopment Commission comprises five members appointed by the Town Council with no political affiliation requirement. The members shall serve after the original 1-year term until a qualified successor is appointed.

Current Members of the Redevelopment Commission are:

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  • Robert H. Carnahan
  • Julie Rivera
  • Nick Recupito
  • Chuck Becker
  • Greg Parker
  • Mary Joan Dickson
  • Rich Thiel

Initiatives



Facade Improvement Program

The Cedar Lake Façade Improvement Program is designed to promote the continued use and maintenance of commercial and mixed-use buildings in the Town’s commercial corridors and to maintain the value of and continue the value of the subject properties. It is intended to aid and assist property owners and commercial tenants in rehabilitating and restoring the visible exterior and landscaping of existing structures and to construct or enhance all pedestrian entrances and all exterior components of buildings. Improvements must meet established criteria for appropriateness of design. Reimbursement grants are available to property owners or commercial tenants in recognition of the positive impact that individual building improvements can have on the overall appearance, quality, and vitality of Cedar Lake’s commercial corridors.
Note: There is currently a moratorium on the Façade Grant Program, and no applications are being accepted at this time.

Please view the document at the link below for the application and to learn more about this program:

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Explore Everyday Community Recognition

The Cedar Lake Redevelopment Commission recognizes businesses and local entities that make the Town a better place and fall in line with the “explore everyday” motto by cleaning up and/or restoring a location.  If you know of someone you would like to nominate for recognition, please complete this form and return it to a Redevelopment Commission member, drop it off at Town Hall or drop it off while attending an RDC meeting.

 Previous Explore Everyday Community Recognition Recipients:

NominatedBusinessPerson
2019-JulyCedar Lake Farmers MarketKelly Dykstra
2019-AugustTech Credit UnionBert Kullerstrand
2019-SeptemberAnytime FitnessTina Cole
2019-OctoberDragobobsDennis Portega
2019-NovemberTop It OffGina Hardesty
2019-DecemberFrank’s BBQRob Schrum
2020-JanuaryCedar Lake FloristCharlie Kaper
2020-FebruaryGreat Oaks Banquet HallThomas McAdams
2020-MarchTrue Value Hardware(s)Al & Jeff Bunge
2020-JunePine Crest MarinaBob Gross
2020-JulyVito’s Italian IceDavid & Amy Larson
2020-AugustGrit FitnessBo DePaoli
2020-SeptemberHenn ConstructionRichard Henn
2020-NovemberSandbar GrillMichael Conn
2020-DecemberHarry O’sTomas Jaimes
2021-JanuaryThe DockDenise Slevnik
2021-FebruaryBeach PaletteLynette Kubal
2021-MarchTJT TireLynn Clements
2021-AprilNagy’s AutomotiveLarry Nagy
2021-MayCedar Lake KitchenGeorge Poponas
2021-JulySheehy Well & Pump3rd Generation Sheehy Family
2021-AugustAction PlumbingAndrew Bultema
2021-SeptemberStrack & Van TilAmy Gorman, General Manager of SVT Cedar Lake
2021-OctoberRise’n Roll Bakery-Cedar LakeBob and Nikki Van Kalker
2022-JanuaryBPCharlene Vidaurri, Store Manager
2022-MarchAurelio’s PizzaAlex Popplewell
2022-AprilLa Gaviota SupermercadoArmando and Teresita Barajas
2022-MayYancey’s House of CarpetLinda Sharp
2022-JuneLighthouse RestaurantShane Keeton, General Manager
2022-JulyNominations Deferred
2022-AugustMidwest PGMRichard Theil and Jorge Rangel, Co-Founders
2022-SeptemberLM Premier DanceLynn Gelatka, Owner
2022-OctoberAll Tire Services, LLCJeff Fraze, Owner
2023-01-03James Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Cedar LakeJim Reveliotis, Owner
2023-02-07Bugaboo’s Bar & GrillDon Frey, Owner
2023-03-07Hoosier Postal PlusMike Quirk and Lynn Sarkisian, Owners
2023-04-04PhysioPoint Physical TherapyNate Kloosterman, Founder & Blake Anders, Clinic Coordinator
2023-06-06Holiday LiquorsBrian Kubal
2024-01-16Biggby CoffeeNick and Donna Lackey, Owners

Biggby Coffee

1st Quarter of 2024 Explore Everyday Community Recognition Recipient

Stormwater Management Board

The Stormwater Management Board oversees the Town Stormwater Department. The board holds public hearings and takes public comments from residents about drainage issues.

The Town of Cedar Lake Stormwater Management Board consists of 3 members appointed by the Town Council for a 3-year term. No more than 2 of the members shall be from the same political party.

  • Patrick Conlon
  • Ryan Lisek
  • Ben Kincheloe
  • Julie Rivera, Town Council Liaison*

Unsafe Building Commission

The Cedar Lake Unsafe Building Commission is the hearing authority for unsafe properties in the town. The commission hears official orders issued by the unsafe building department and appeals from property owners. The Town of Cedar Lake Unsafe Building Commission consists of 3 members: the Plan Commission appoints a member annually, the Town Council appoints a member annually, and a citizen “Hearing Officer” shall be appointed by the Council for a 1-year term.

  • Rich Thiel , Town Council Appointment
  • Heather Dessauer,   Plan Commission Appointment
  • Jeff Biel

For additional information about the Unsafe Building Department, please get in touch with the Building Department at 219-374-7400.

Utility Board

The Cedar Lake Utility Board oversees the Water and Wastewater Utilities.

Current Members of the Utility Board are:

.
  • Robert H. Carnahan
  • Julie Rivera
  • Nick Recupito
  • Chuck Becker
  • Greg Parker
  • Mary Joan Dickson
  • Rich Thiel