The Crown Point City Planning Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council on petition 25-18, a request to rezone a parcel at the northeast corner of Maryville Road and 90th Place from B-2 (business) to R-3 (residential).

Petitioners said the rezoning is intended to allow a six-unit townhome development that they said better matches the surrounding neighborhood’s character than the existing B-2 zoning. Planner Josh of the city’s planning department told the commission, “Planning department recommends approval of petition 25 18.”

Representative Russ Pose of DVG Team Inc., who presented the petition, said the parcel has been a “spot zoning” holdout since the 1970s and that converting it to R-3 would align permitted uses with nearby townhomes and condominiums. Owner Rick Locasto introduced himself to the commission and answered questions about the design and driveway access.

Commissioners asked about screening along the rear of the property visible from Merrillville Road, driveway access points and whether the units would be owner-occupied. Pose and Locasto said driveways will be on the north side and that the developer intends to sell the units as owner-occupied. Pose also described the renderings and materials planned for the buildings.

The commission moved and passed a recommendation to the City Council by a recorded vote of 7-0. The petition previously received a favorable special-use recommendation from the Board of Zoning Appeals and city council approval was referenced for related actions in the file.

The City Council will receive the commission’s recommendation as part of the formal approval process; no council action was taken at the planning commission meeting.