Plan Commission approves First Federal Plaza amendment after questions on rooflines and drainage

The Schererville Plan Commission on Dec. 1 approved an amended development plan for First Federal Plaza at 1924 US 41 after discussion about roofline changes and drainage. The applicant’s architect, Sarah Ginsberg, told commissioners the amendment reflects field-measured conditions and that she will file amended drawings with the state for building-commissioner review.

Commissioners and staff said the building inspector had paused work because the structure under construction did not match the previously submitted drawings. The inspector’s concern, as reported to the commission, centered on how added knee walls and a flatter front would handle runoff. Architect Sarah Ginsberg said the peaks remain visible and that the new knee walls are primarily decorative; she also confirmed scuppers and downspouts are included for drainage. "I designed the original 1, and I'm redesigning this 1," Ginsberg said, describing the field-based revisions.

Staff said an amended set of plans will be filed with state authorities and reviewed by the building commissioner. The commission moved to approve the amended development plan as submitted; after a second the roll call recorded six ‘yes’ votes and the motion carried 6-0. The approval is conditioned on state submittal and continued inspections to ensure the final construction meets applicable requirements.

Next steps: the applicant will provide copies of the amended plans submitted to the state, and the building commissioner/inspector will follow up on inspections as the work proceeds.