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Developer seeks minor PUD amendments for Liberty Estates, including split of Phase 8
Summary
Representatives for Liberty Estates asked the Merrillville Plan Commission to allow three targeted amendments to the development’s PUD: label the exhibit that links zonings and phases, split a 50-acre Phase 8 into 8A and 8B for financing flexibility, and delay start deadlines for several east-side phases until Whitcomb Street is completed.
Representatives for Liberty Estates told the Town of Merrillville Plan Commission on Oct. 25 that they intend to seek a limited amendment to the Liberty Estates planned-unit development (PUD) to clarify phasing, split a large parcel into two build phases, and align several phase start dates with the town’s Whitcomb Street improvements.
Randy Hall, describing himself as “from Liberty Estates,” said the developer is not proposing a full restatement of the development agreement but “an amendment to the PUD for these 3 concepts.” He asked the commission to permit three adjustments: cross-reference the PUD exhibit spreadsheet to the colored phase drawing, divide Phase 8 (described in the meeting as a roughly 50-acre parcel southeast of existing improvements) into Phase 8A and 8B so the developer can stage work to match bank requirements and market conditions, and permit the deadlines to commence construction on Phases 5–7 on the east side of Whitcomb Street to be timed to begin only after Whitcomb Street is completed.
Hall said the request is intended to reduce repetitive return visits to the commission for ministerial timing changes and to preserve flexibility for marketing and financing. He told commissioners the Phase 8 split responds to the reality that “the single family homes are selling slower, so the bank has asked us to take smaller bites of the apple.” He said the developer will return with detailed plans for any split or final plan approvals.
Commission members and staff clarified there was no formal action taken at the meeting. Town engineering and project scheduling were discussed: Hall said engineers expect Whitcomb Street engineering work to be finished “near the end of this year, maybe going into spring” with bidding and possible ground-breaking in mid-2026; he estimated the portion adjacent to Liberty Estates could be improved by 2027, depending on the town’s phasing decisions. Town staff and the developer discussed coordination so on-site construction and marketing are not hindered by incomplete road access.
Plan Commission members asked that any formal amendment return in writing and be routed through counsel. Commissioner remarks noted the discussion was informational and that any amendment to the PUD would require a formal application and a vote by the commission.
The developer said it would coordinate with town counsel and staff, submit the proposed amendment (including labeled exhibits tying spreadsheet rows to the colored phase map), and return for formal consideration at a future meeting.
