HOBART | John and Linda Kolarik on Wednesday received a reprieve from the City Council when it comes to obtaining zoning needed to replace two revenue generating billboards on 5 acres the couple owns near Interstate 65.

The City Council tabled the zoning change request, from residential to commercial, pending further legal research on the issue,

City Councilman John Brezik, D-5th, who also is a member of the Plan Commission, said the commission last week had rejected the couple's request, citing it was spot zoning.

He said the billboards, which blew down last year during a storm, had been allowed to remain at the corner of 49th Avenue and Liverpool Road under former state laws.

Those laws have recently changed and now conditional use, which is what the couple could have applied under the old state laws, is no longer allowed, Brezik said.

"It's a different scenario," he said.

City Councilman David Vinzant, D-4th, said he'd like to research the laws to see if there is a way the couple could have the signs replaced.

"I don't want to move too quickly to not help a citizen economically. We shouldn't be in a position to take it away because of a storm," Vinzant said.

Linda Kolarik said the 5 acres, which have been in her family for a number of years, are landlocked and can't be used for any other purpose.

After the meeting, she said she is pleased city officials are trying to work to resolve the issue.

"We believe there is wiggle room," Kolarik said.

Two residents at the Plan Commission meeting had spoken against replacing the billboards, noting the signs would take away from the green space.

In other business, the City Council:

-- Approved a letter written by City Clerk Deborah Longer to state tax officials seeking an excess levy appeal based on a shortfall of tax collections in 2006 payable in 2007. Longer said the amount the city is seeking is about $886,000 in collections due to errors in assessed valuation and shortfalls in collections.

-- Approved a two-year extension of an agreement with the city of Lake Station for compost disposal services.