VALPARAISO | The city's Plan Commission will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to vote on a recommendation for the proposed rezoning of a luxury apartment and business park development on Evans Avenue.
More than 200 people, most of them from the Pine Creek subdivision adjacent to the proposed development, attended the commission's public hearing Tuesday to voice disapproval of the plan for 512 luxury apartments in 30 two and three-story buildings. The proposal also includes a clubhouse and a 46-acre business park for professional offices and light industry.
The 117.6-acre site has frontage on Evans Avenue and Bartz Road, and developer Don Weiss also plans connections to roads in Pine Creek. Weiss is the head of the WiseWay supermarket chain and has developed luxury apartments in Merrillville.
Residents expressed concern over the impacts on traffic, local businesses, city services and the East Porter County Schools. The latter concern was seconded by East Porter Superintendent Rod Gardin, who said Washington Township, where the estimated 77 to 102 students would go to school, has no room at the high school or elementary school.
The developer paid $1,500 for the cost of a special meeting. A spokesman said Weiss needs to know if the project is approved before closing on the purchase of the property from Vansland LLC. The deadline for the closing is Dec. 31.
The commission's recommendation is expected to go to the council at its Nov. 26 meeting, and a public hearing could be held at that meeting. Weiss is asking for a rezoning from general residential to urban residential and business park. Final action could come at the council's Dec. 10 meeting.
Please Wait…