St. John Plan Commission approves multiple plats and site plans, sends Heartland Park rezoning to publish

The Town of Saint John Plan Commission approved multiple final plats and site plans during its Feb. 19 regular meeting and voted to publish notice for a rezoning of the 40-acre Heartland Park extension from RC2 PUD to public.

The commission approved the minutes of its Jan. 15 meeting after amending a line about a Family Express vote to show it “did not carry” with three ayes and two nays. That amendment passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The approvals clear several development steps — final plats, site plans and escrow changes — that allow subdivisions, commercial developments and parking/sidewalk work to move forward. The commission also authorized public notice so the Heartland Park rezoning can proceed to a public hearing.

Castle Rock Phase 1A: The commission granted final plat approval for Castle Rock Phase 1A — five lots on Manor House Drive — contingent on payment of a maintenance amount of $19,789.36 by the developer. Doug Redig of DVG said the owner, Andy James, had paid a final development fee of $1,500 and was deciding how to provide the maintenance guarantee. The motion approving the final plat specified the maintenance payment as a condition.

Family Express (US 41 & 109th Ave.): The commission approved a proposed site plan for a Family Express at the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and 109th Avenue, contingent on INDOT approval of the required driveway permit. James Huss of DBG said the team held a kickoff meeting Jan. 30 and will submit a supplemental traffic analysis to INDOT; the applicant agreed to notify the town of any changes driven by that analysis. The vote on the Family Express site plan carried 5–1 (one nay), with the no vote not identified on the record.

Shops at the Gates (US 231): The commission approved a two-lot final plat and the Lot 1 site plan for the Shops at the Gates, a proposed 15-acre subdivision east of Park Place. The Lot 1 site plan covers a proposed 19,000-square-foot, nine-unit commercial building. The applicant reported engineering approvals were issued Feb. 11 and an initial INDOT permit submittal was made Jan. 30. The commission and town police chief discussed driveway configuration; the project team modified the access to use delineators (the same product used at 109th and U.S. 41) rather than a concrete “pork chop” to better control turning movements. Both the final plat and the Lot 1 site plan passed unanimously.

Bank 1 subdivision (9600 Wicker Ave / 9615 Kyleman Ave): The commission approved an amendment to the final plat to record ingress/egress and drainage/detention easements related to development of Lot 2. The applicant’s engineer previously reviewed the amendment at the study session; the motion passed unanimously.

St. John Marketplace (Fifth Third Bank): A minor site-plan amendment for Lot 1 of the St. John Marketplace (for Fifth Third Bank, in front of Target) was approved. The amendment includes parking-lot alterations and a five-foot sidewalk where right-of-way and power-line constraints prevent a wider pedestrian path; the town’s engineer reported comments were satisfied but the applicant must obtain INDOT approval for minor right-of-way work. The amendment passed unanimously.

Gates of St. John (Unit 21D) final plat and escrow actions: The commission approved a two-lot final plat for Gates of St. John Unit 21D and unanimously recommended release of a $5,000 as-built escrow for Unit 24A to the Town Council. It also recommended reductions to as-built escrow amounts for Units 24B and 25 by $12.50 each; the commission noted the maintenance escrows will remain until further inspection/confirmation.

Heartland Park rezoning: The commission voted to publish notice for a March public hearing to consider rezoning the 40-acre parcel donated to the town from RC2 PUD to public so park improvements can proceed. The motion to advertise carried 5–0 with one abstention recorded.

Process notes and conditions: Several approvals were explicitly contingent on outside permits (INDOT driveway permit) or on posting of remaining development fees and letters of credit. The commission repeatedly noted that final mylars or engineering signoffs would follow typical town procedures prior to recording.

What’s next: Approved plats and site plans move to the next procedural steps (posting required guarantees, filing mylars, obtaining INDOT permits where required). The Heartland Park rezoning will be advertised for a public hearing in March.

Votes at a glance (motion text, condition, result): - Approve amendment to Jan. 15 minutes (correction to Family Express vote): motion passed (voice vote) — approved. - Castle Rock Phase 1A final plat (contingent on $19,789.36 maintenance payment): approved (unanimous). - Family Express site plan (contingent on INDOT driveway permit/approval and traffic analysis): approved, 5–1 (one nay, not identified on record). - Shops at the Gates final plat (contingent on posting development fees/letters of credit): approved, 6–0. - Shops at the Gates Lot 1 site plan: approved, 6–0. - Bank 1 final plat amendment (ingress/egress and drainage easements): approved, 6–0. - St. John Marketplace (Fifth Third Bank) site plan amendment (sidewalk/parking alterations; INDOT approval needed): approved, 6–0. - Gates of St. John Unit 21D final plat: approved, 6–0. - Recommendation to Town Council to release $5,000 escrow for Gates Unit 24A: recommended, 6–0. - Reduction of as-built escrow amounts for Gates Units 24B and 25 by $12.50 each: recommended, 6–0. - Publish notice for rezoning Heartland Park RC2 PUD → public: approved for advertisement, 5–0 with 1 abstention.

Quotes (selected): “Everything appears to be in order as far as housekeeping and reviews and fees. So I believe we're in the home stretch and requesting final plat approval,” said Doug Redig of DVG about the Castle Rock Phase 1A final plat.

“Family Express is looking forward to bringing their second location to Saint John,” said James Huss of DBG when presenting the Family Express site plan and traffic analysis timeline.

Ending: The commission closed the meeting after a brief public-comment check and a motion to adjourn. Several approvals will require follow-up administrative steps (posting guarantees, mylar filings, INDOT permits) before projects can proceed on the ground.