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Redevelopment commission approves $54,000 for conceptual planning of New Carlisle-area subdivision; developers to pay technical study
Summary
The commission approved a $54,000 contract with JPR for conceptual master planning of a site adjacent to New Carlisle, exploring use of a residential TIF tool and coordinating with the town on annexation, wetlands and utility extensions. Developers are expected to pay technical-study costs.
The St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission on June 10 approved a $54,000 contract with JPR to produce a conceptual master plan for a subdivision area adjacent to the town of New Carlisle. Staff said the planning work would help coordinate development across an area that is partly inside and partly outside town limits, address wetlands and utility-extension issues, and consider whether to route a planned trail through the area.
Staff described the site as split roughly half inside and half outside New Carlisle municipal limits and said half of the subdivision abuts wetlands on the rear portion. The conceptual phase approved for $54,000 will cover master planning and coordination; staff said technical study work would be paid by the developer and that the county’s involvement is intended to “convene” partners and help with design standards and infrastructure planning. Staff referenced residential tax-increment financing (residential TIF) as a potential tool the commission has not yet used and listed several eligible uses, including utility extensions, road and sidewalk construction and green-space development.
Commissioners asked whether the developer or development partnership was contributing. Staff said the private development partner (identified in meeting remarks as a local partnership, EGDB, negotiating with Steve Corman/Irish Realty) would pay for the technical study and that the county would fund the conceptual planning portion. Staff said future reimbursement from developers could be negotiated if the project moves forward.
Public comment at the meeting included Carl Braun Grimm, assistant director of public works for the town of New Carlisle, who urged that the town be involved given utilities, potential annexation and pending town zoning updates. Resident Dan Caruso spoke in favor of frontline planning but said the town’s comprehensive plan favors single-family housing and expressed opposition to additional apartments; he raised concerns about school capacity and safety of trail alignments adjacent to roads.
A motion to approve the conceptual planning phase for $54,000 passed with recorded affirmative votes. Staff said the commission will review master plan deliverables with town staff and return to the commission with further details.
