Visitors to the upscale Marina Shores development would be able to take boat rides to Lake Michigan, ride bicycles to the Indiana Dunes or stay for several nights in a boutique hotel, if planners can get city officials to agree with them.
After a public hearing at which no one spoke against the hotel, the city’s Plan Commission put the Marina Shores officials and the hotel developer, Ian Wright, on hold for another month after commission member and City Councilman Scott Williams requested more time Monday to go over the six-page application to change plans already on the books.
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The developers provided renderings and details of their plans to the commission before Memorial Day. They asked the commission to allow a change in the planned use development, or the original 2005 plan for Marina Shores, that would them to begin planning to put a boutique hotel on the second floor of an existing, 15,000-square-foot building that now holds a restaurant on the first floor.
The change in plans, which was already vetted by the city’s Design and Review Committee, also calls for more rental rooms on two other lots in the property.
“I need more time to review this project, look into covenants, get some feedback from residents who live there,” Williams said.
The commission agreed 6-1, tabling the matter until its July meeting.
Matt Keiser, of Valparaiso-based Abonmarche, an engineering and design firm for Marina Shores, offered to answer any questions Williams or any other members had, but Williams declined.
Marina Shores has received support from Williams and other city leaders for a number of incentives, such as tax abatements and permission to build upscale duplexes called “paired patio homes,” in the past.
Marina Shores developer Dave Bresnahan said he did not understand the reason for the delay.
“We’ve done all the things that were asked, and we just ask the commission review this and make the decision,” Bresnahan said. “I don’t understand why they need more time.”
Portage Economic Development Director Andy Maletta said the boutique hotel, like the abatements and other changes, would help the development.
“I think (Wright and Marina Shores) have a pretty good plan, he said. “Anything that helps the development is a good thing, but, if a (commission) member needs more time to digest it, and the rest of the commission wants to grant that, it is what it is. They’ll be back next month and hopefully move forward.”
Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.