APC recommends preliminary approval for University Place PD; developer to provide trail easement connecting Celery Bog to Quezon Family Park

The Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission unanimously recommended preliminary approval on May 21 for a revised University Place Planned Development filed by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Service Corporation (Z-2980).

Staff said the PD updates a development originally approved in 2001 by adding flexibility for future phases that had not been built. The plan would permit a mix of multi-family apartments, detached cottages and duplex cottages, and allows development standards rather than exact building-by-building details so future phases can be programmed without returning to APC for each change. Staff recommended approval with standard conditions.

Chris Shellman of Goodwin Law represented the petitioner and told the commission the revised PD will support senior living and nursing options and that the petitioner will provide a public-access easement and construct a trail segment on the northern portion of the property to connect Celery Bog to the new Quezon Family Park northwest of the site when the city secures easements and rights necessary to complete the connection.

The petitioner requested flexibility in development standards to manage future phases; staff and the petitioner said there are safeguards including ongoing reviews by city and APC staff. The commission cast a unanimous ballot recommending approval; the recommendation will go to West Lafayette City Council for further action.

No specific project phasing schedule or funding details were provided at the hearing.