Some NW Indiana residents say lakefront access shrinking as new homes go up

CEDAR LAKE, Ind. (WLS) -- A dispute over lakefront access is dividing residents in a northwest Indiana subdivision, where some homeowners say new construction along the shoreline is reducing access that families have used for generations.

Several Lakeshore residents in Cedar Lake, Indiana contend that newly built homes are encroaching on dedicated lakefront space shared by the subdivision. To illustrate their concerns, some homeowners placed a rope along the property to show how much access they believe is being lost.

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"They think that they can out-money us, which they probably can. But we're giving them a hell of a fight," said Elaine O'Connell, who lives in the Lakeshore subdivision.

Residents opposing the construction say the issue affects a longtime community where many families have deep roots.

"This little subdivision, most of the people of the people are over 60," O'Connell said.

For some residents, the lakefront access holds personal and family significance.

"We did grow up there; we played in that water a lot of times. My mom would take a bottle of Ivory soap and wash us and we would get baths. So it means a lot to us," Becky Davis said.

Residents say the area just beyond a fence is dedicated lakefront space for the subdivision, but they believe that space has gradually become smaller over time.

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"We have to defend it in perpetuity, or we could lose our lake rights back to either the developers of the subdivision or their heirs," said Terri Cox, president of the Lakeshore Subdivision Association.

Homeowners challenging the development said they have filed for injunctive relief in an effort to stop construction of a home they believe will further reduce access because of a planned parking garage.

One homeowner identified by the group as contributing to the loss of access declined an on-camera interview.

However, Michael Dolder, who is building the newest property, told ABC 7 that he has a legal right to proceed with the project.

"I'm not hurting the neighborhood; I'm improving it," Dolder said.

Not all residents oppose the development. Some say new construction benefits the neighborhood.

"It upgrades our community, our neighborhood. It just makes it look better. Hopefully, it'll bring in more. We can get our roads repaired," said Lauren Peterson, who also lives in the subdivision.

Others, particularly newer residents, say preserving lakefront access was a key reason they purchased homes in the neighborhood.

"We wanted this to be our forever home," Lacey Ambroso said. "It's going to slowly creep to the point where we can't go out there."

The town had not responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting.