Lennar outlines 160‑acre single‑family PUD, seeks to speed utilities and Mississippi Street extension

A Lennar development team presented a concept workshop to the Crown Point Planning Commission describing a proposed 160‑acre planned unit development on the northwest corner of 120th Avenue and Iowa Street that would include about 456 single‑family homes, a central amenity area with a pool and clubhouse, walking trails and significant landscape buffering.

Lennar officials said the project is intended as a PUD so the city and developer can adopt design standards, preserve open space and lock in architecture and site standards in the ordinance. Todd Cleven, Lennar vice president of land, told the commission the company is prepared to expedite off‑site utilities and street improvements—specifically the extension of Mississippi Street and water looping to the east side of I‑65—so the subdivision can be served before a planned wastewater treatment plant is online.

Land planner Rich Olsen described a plan with three product types (larger medallion homes, mid‑size horizon homes and a narrow 30‑foot product), a roughly 8½‑acre central amenity park with pool house and trails, and 50‑foot to 30‑foot lot widths depending on product. Lennar said the development’s gross density would be about 2.78 dwelling units per acre because of the amount of retained open space.

Commissioners asked for clearer renderings and product detail and expressed several concerns. Multiple members objected to 50‑foot lots, saying they produce repetitive streetscapes; Commissioner Jared said he preferred a 60‑foot minimum. Commissioners also pressed the team for additional information about surface water and floodplain limits, compensatory storage and the project’s drainage plan; Lennar representatives said they are working with engineers and have engaged Commonwealth/Christopher Burke and Mackie Consultants to study utility routing and detention.

Lennar discussed sewer routing contingencies: the company is studying temporary lift‑station options and the possibility of routing some flow north while the new wastewater treatment plant is completed, and it said it will fund initial off‑site work and pursue recapture/fee arrangements to make the infrastructure financially viable. The developer estimated the off‑site cost of some street and sewer work could run into the millions and said upfront capital outlays would be part of negotiations with the city.

The public comment period included a nearby farmer who said his family operates an active dairy farm directly south of the project and warned of manure odor and flies; Lennar said such conditions are disclosed in buyer materials (MBIA) and will be called out to homebuyers. Commissioners noted the site’s annexation history and that the city’s comprehensive/transportation plan contemplates an extension of Mississippi Street through the property.

No action was taken at the workshop. Commissioners said the concept merits further study but asked Lennar to return with renderings, detailed engineering (drainage, flood compensation, lift station options), and clearer commitments on lot sizes, utility financing and timing for Mississippi Street.