CEDAR LAKE, Ind. () — A fight over access to the shoreline is stirring tension in a northwest Indiana subdivision, as some homeowners argue that new lakefront construction is cutting into space families in the neighborhood have relied on for decades.
In Cedar Lake’s Lakeshore subdivision, several residents say recently built homes are pushing into lakefront property they believe was set aside for shared community use. To make their point, some neighbors stretched a rope along the area to mark the amount of access they say is being taken away.
“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.
Those challenging the construction say the dispute strikes at the heart of a longstanding neighborhood, where many residents have lived for years and families have deep ties.
“This little subdivision, most of the people of the people are over 60,” O’Connell said.
For others, the disputed stretch of lakefront is more than a property issue — it is tied to childhood memories and family history.
“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.
Neighbors say the land just past a fence is supposed to be dedicated lakefront space for the subdivision, but they contend the area has slowly narrowed over the years.
“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.
