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Developers pitch 70 Third/I‑65 residential plan; commissioners press on density, traffic and soils
Summary
Developers and property owners presented a conceptual mixed residential plan for land near 70 Third Avenue and I‑65; commissioners said the proposed density, traffic impacts and soils require a traffic study, geotechnical work and reduced unit counts before they could support a PUD.
Developers and landowners presented a conceptual plan to the Town of Merrillville planning commission for a large mixed residential project on about 88 acres near 70 Third Avenue and the I‑65 interchange. Lawrence Benjamin (property owner) and representatives from Highgates Development — Joseph Waldman (principal) and Brent Hackworth (vice president of construction and development) — described a plan that, as drawn, would include approximately 85 single‑family lots, 176 townhomes and about 312 apartments.
Why it matters: The project as presented would add several hundred housing units in an area directly adjacent to I‑65 and existing single‑family neighborhoods. Commissioners flagged traffic, infrastructure funding and compatibility with nearby residences as key issues requiring early resolution.
Developers said the project would…
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