Planning commission approves primary plat for Ameriplex Marquette with conditions

The Michigan City Planning Commission voted Oct. 28 to approve the primary plat for a minor subdivision at 6101 Cleveland Avenue that will split Lot 2 of the Ameriplex Marquette subdivision into two parcels and allow a second flex-industrial building.

The decision lets the petitioner, Ameriplex Marquette JV, proceed toward a secondary plat and future building permits, but commissioners attached conditions: corrected legal descriptions for the replat of Lot 2, placement of the existing building on the final plat, a draft stormwater maintenance agreement for review by sanitary/stormwater staff, and a cross-access easement between the two lots.

Holiday Properties representative Ryan Kelly told the commission the current Lot 2 is about 8.61 acres and contains a roughly 64,000-square-foot flex-industrial building; the proposed subdivision would create approximately 4.0-acre and 4.6-acre parcels and include plans for a new roughly 54,000-square-foot flex building on the newly created lot. "My name is Ryan Kelly. I'm with Holiday Properties, representing the landowner, which is Ameriplex Market JV," Kelly said during his presentation.

Attorney Hale, speaking for the commission, confirmed procedural requirements had been met: "I find that the petitioner has provided all of the necessary documentation, has met our notice requirements, and you're free to go ahead and hear this matter." Planning staff recommended approval with minor corrections and conditions. "I would say that staff recommends approval of the primary plat," Planning staff (York) told commissioners, noting the property was originally subdivided in 2016 and that redevelopment plans call for extension of Ameriplex Drive.

Commission discussion focused on recordkeeping and long-term clarity. Staff and counsel said the secondary plat should include complete legal descriptions for the newly created lots, in part so future reviewers and title examiners will not encounter duplicate lot names. York also summarized development-review comments from utility and stormwater staff and said the existing stormwater pond was designed to serve both the existing and proposed development.

Public comment echoed staff concerns about long-term maintenance. Local resident Scott Mellon urged that stormwater maintenance obligations be recorded so they remain clear on title: "A maintenance agreement for this pond ... would [be] on title when they go to sell a building in 20 years," Mellon said, adding that cross-access between lots would reduce traffic circulation issues on the surrounding commercial parcels.

The commission’s motion to approve the primary plat included conditions that the petitioner satisfy the listed clarifications and that the secondary plat review demonstrate the items have been addressed to staff satisfaction; the commission voted to approve the motion. The secondary plat, which must be filed and approved later, will be considered at a future public meeting once the required documents and corrected plat are submitted.

Next steps noted by staff include finalizing a draft stormwater maintenance agreement for review by sanitary/stormwater staff, completing the corrected legal descriptions for the replat of Lot 2, showing the existing building on the final drawing, and coordinating timing with planned construction of Ameriplex Drive by the Redevelopment Commission and the Board of Public Works. The commission postponed an unrelated "old business" zoning presentation to the next meeting at staff request.