The Saint John Plan Commission voted to approve the primary plat for the Park West subdivision Sept. 17, 2025, with the approval conditioned on the developer’s commitment to construct a left‑turn lane on Calumet Avenue. The motion passed on a voice vote, 6–1, after more than an hour of public comment on traffic, access and notice procedures.

The developer’s representative, Steve Kille, said the left‑turn lane “will be installed” and described it as a condition that would be provided either by easement or by dedication of right of way as adjacent property develops. He also told the commission, “I am committing that to the planning commission to the town right now,” when asked whether the developer would build on the commercial lot at the south end of the property.

Residents urged additional changes. Joyce Legacy, who lives on Black Opal Lane, told the commission she wanted a turnaround/cul‑de‑sac at the end of her street to stop trucks from turning in private driveways. Juanita Sullivan described damage to curb and driveways after vehicles used the field at the subdivision’s edge, and proposed using the commercial parcel for a trailhead connecting existing local paths. Providence Christian Academy representative John Borsma said the school, which owns land immediately west of the project, did not receive mailed notice and asked why earthwork had already begun before the primary plat hearing.

Staff and the developer responded that erosion‑control permits (SWIP) and an IDEM Notice of Sufficiency had been obtained and that only topsoil stripping was under way. Kille said required public‑notice steps had been followed — a sign on the property, certified mailings to adjacent owners and a newspaper legal notice — but staff acknowledged that, despite those steps, at least one adjacent landowner reported not receiving the certified mail.

Commission discussion and the final motion reflected two kinds of outcomes: direction and formal action. The commission formally approved the primary plat contingent on installation of the left‑turn lane as the developer committed; commission members and staff also discussed follow‑up actions, including examining whether a small turnaround could be added at the end of Black Opal Lane and confirming how certified mailings were handled by the post office.

Commissioner Ashley Abernathy made the motion to approve the plat subject to the left‑turn lane commitment; the motion was seconded and carried. The approved motion states that the plat meets the “minimum requirements of the St. John Subdivision Control Ordinance” and PUD rezoning conditions and that the left‑turn lane installation is a condition of approval.

The developer said the municipal lot shown on the plat would be deeded to the town for a future fire station; Kille noted the town would determine the timing and budget for building a station. Kille also said he would try to accommodate a trimmed landscaped turnaround where his property permitted and that the homeowners association would be responsible for maintenance of private drives inside the development.

Public commenters repeatedly raised safety and capacity concerns: concentrated single‑access designs, existing congestion when nearby schools let out, heavy construction traffic, and potential strain on police and fire response. Katie Hegg, a resident on Calumet Avenue, told the commission, “It’s not fair to allow development to continue unchecked without careful planning … without looking into how these developments are affecting schools, streets, the demand placed on fire, and police, water, and potential flooding.”

The commission’s approval clears the primary plat step subject to the left‑turn lane commitment; final plat and other required permits remain to be completed before additional construction permits can be issued. The developer and town staff said they will follow up on neighbors’ requests for a turnaround and on the question of why at least one adjacent owner reported not receiving certified notice.