Michigan City planners recommend rezoning, approve primary plat for Tryon Meadows subdivision

Michigan City Plan Commission members on Tuesday voted to recommend rezoning and approved a primary subdivision plat for a planned housing development on the south side of Tryon Road between Breezy Lane and Mayfield Drive.

Developer John Kopchak, identifying himself as a managing member of the Sloan Avenue Group–Redstone Group joint venture, told the commission the Tryon Meadows proposal covers about 39 acres and would be a mixed residential community including 34 single-family lots, 14 four-unit townhome buildings (56 townhome units) and eight apartment buildings. Kopchak said the apartments are planned as 16-unit buildings. "We anticipate that at least 75% of all of our available units will cater to households at an 80 to 120% AMI range," he said.

The commission held a public hearing and heard one written remonstrance from a nearby neighbor, Brian Spieth of Mayfield Drive, who said he opposed the addition of apartments and townhomes in the area and raised traffic and safety concerns on Tryon Road. Skyler York, planning staff, said the city had the petition materials and traffic data on file; York said an initial traffic analysis provided for the project estimated the development would generate less…