StarJune24'99

Planners OK pharmacy, barely
Star Staff Report

   CROWN POINT - The Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled to consider a request Monday from Mitre Kutanovski to build an indoor basketball and soccer facility at 1516-1518 N. Main St.
   The property, just north of Bob Anderson Pontiac and just south of Beaver Dam Ditch, was rezoned from residential to industrial in 1997 when Kutanovski told the Plan Commission he intended to build an automobile detailing center there.
   The new plans call for a sports complex on the narrow strip of land.
   For the project to move ahead, the BZA would have to approve two variances: a special-use variance, needed to put the sports complex on industrial property, and a side-yard setback variance that would allow the building to be built five feet from the south property line rather than the 20 feet required by ordinance.
   Monday's meeting will include a public hearing on the two variances, during which time residents may speak for or against the request.
   If the BZA approves the variances, the Plan Commission would have to approve a site plan for the project, and the City Council would have to issue approval for the setback variance.
   Also, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources would have to approve the project if any of it will affect the floodway along Beaver Dam Ditch, and the Indiana Department of Transportation will be involved in allowing an entrance onto Main Street, which is State Road 55 in the northern half of town.
   Kutanovski did not return phone calls as of presstime.

Crown Gets an ear-ful at Corn Roast

By Erin O'Deen
Star Staff Writer

   CROWN POINT - The annual Corn Roast on Friday night was a huge success, attracting nearly 8,000 people, reported Gail VanSessen, executive director of the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce.
   This year's event was different from ones in the past due to the additional amount of children's games and activities. VanSessen said the chamber wanted the event to have more of a family atmosphere.
   "In the last five years, we have made an extra effort to make this a family event," she said. "You always need something for the kids to do. We thought this would be great to bring more families out together."
   More than 20 area businesses and not for profit agencies volunteered to make the evening a success, according to VanSessen.

   One of the big supporters of the evening is the South Lake County Shriner's. They were responsible for selling and cooking the roast's main attraction - corn on the cob. VanSessen said the Shriner's have been an active part of the Corn Roast for the last 10 years.
   Chuck Kolar, president of the South Lake County Shriner's, said they purchased 4,500 ears of corn for the event. Kolar said he expected they would sell most of the corn the cause of the different varieties of food and beverage vendor's this year.
   "The different vendors help bring in the crowds," he said Friday. "We're hoping for a big crowd tonight."
   Kolar said the Shriners start setting up for the day early in the morning to make sure enough corn is cooked by the time the crowds arrive. All proceeds raised from the sale of the corn goes to the South Lake County Shriners Club. The money is then distributed to various children's charities.
   Hometown Festival Days continue today at 4:30 p.m. when the Indiana Ballet Theater N.W. performs excerpts from "Sleeping Beauty" in the Social Room at the Old Court House. The ballet will take place during a High Tea. Tickets are available at the door for this event.
   The Taste of Crown Point will be today and Friday, along with the renewal of wedding vows on the Court House steps with an actual wedding at 6 p.m. Friday. The "Man and Woman of the Year" will be announced Friday evening.