Plan Commission grants conceptual approval for Deerfield Commons PUD; petitioner plans preliminary PUD in November

The Merrillville Plan Commission voted Oct. 25 to grant conceptual approval to a proposed PUD for Deerfield Commons, a multi-family residential project on a site north of West 80th Avenue. The approval clears the way for the petitioner to submit a preliminary PUD application and a public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Jeff Bann, introduced in the meeting as a principal with the DVG team, presented the master plan. He said the site totals about 17.17 acres and includes an existing stormwater pond; the plan presented to the commission calls for 14 three-story buildings containing 210 residential units in one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts, attached garages for some units, a clubhouse with pool and fitness center, an on-site maintenance staff and a single compacted-refuse collection point. Bann told commissioners the project footprint must work around an existing 42-inch-diameter gas transmission main and an overhead electric transmission easement. He described materials and pedestrian connections and said some work would be done to improve pond edges and public access near the pond as part of coordinated plans with the town.

Bann gave a development schedule that calls for the zoning and design review process through about February 2025, permit procurement in spring 2025, and a target construction start date of June 1, 2026, with an approximate two-year build timeline. He also estimated a total development investment in the $36 million to $38 million range.

Commissioner Brian Dearing moved to approve the conceptual plan; a commission member seconded and commissioners voted individually by roll call, recording affirmative votes and carrying the motion. Commissioners and staff emphasized that conceptual approval is not a final zoning action; Bann was instructed to submit a complete preliminary PUD package and return for the Nov. 20 public hearing and staff review.

Members of the commission asked about utilities and pipeline coordination. Bann said the petitioner would submit required delineation and utility coordination documents with the preliminary filing and that the petitioner had begun telephone conversations with Indiana American Water and would contact pipeline and electric easement holders as part of the formal submittal.

The motion was carried on an individual roll-call vote; commissioners set the preliminary public hearing date and the petitioner said it would provide the formal application by the next agenda cut-off.