Plan commission approves Mason Ridge preliminary plat for 126‑lot subdivision with north‑side buffer condition

The Delaware Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission approved MPC 22‑25S, the preliminary plat for Mason Ridge, a 126‑lot subdivision generally at the northwest corner of West Jackson Street and North Morrison Avenue, by an 8‑0 vote after public comment and applicant testimony.

Bain Engineering’s Austin Lewis presented the primary plat describing a roughly 37‑acre site with two entrances (primary off Morrison), about 10.5 acres of common area including three ponds and a future amenity area, and minimum lots of 50 by 125 feet with most lots larger. He identified D.R. Horton as the intended homebuilder and Oakmont as the developer.

Rob Luke Meyer of D.R. Horton said the builder chose primarily 50‑ to 60‑foot widths to match market demand and the firm's product line; he told the commission typical homes would be 1,500 to 2,600 square feet with base prices "in the low $300,000s to about $325,000." The applicant said construction would be phased, with model home and initial deliveries projected in 2027 if approvals proceed.

Residents and neighborhood representatives expressed multiple concerns. Wayne Sage and other adjacent residents said the proposed lot sizes are too small for the price point and create high density (the presenter said the plan averages roughly 55‑foot lot widths); speakers cited traffic congestion on Morrison Road and at the nearby roundabout and railroad crossing, potential pond safety, privacy impacts on Willow Lake HOA and existing drainage/flooding problems along Jackson Street.

Several speakers asked for an 8‑to‑10‑foot privacy fence; the developer and its consultants said they prefer to retain and augment tree lines and develop a landscaped buffer plan, arguing landscaping is lower maintenance and less likely to impede drainage than a raised berm or continuous fence. Applicant engineers said the stormwater design will detain runoff on site and reduce peak discharge (they cited cutting typical discharge from about 59 cubic feet per second to roughly 4 cfs for major events) and that the design meets city and county ordinances.

Staff confirmed the subdivision committee had discussed several conditions and that updated plans addressed those comments. After the public hearing, a commissioner moved to approve the preliminary plat with the condition that the developer implement the north‑side buffer plan; the motion passed 8‑0. The commission will provide written findings of approval to the developer to proceed with plat committee steps.

The vote closes the planning commission’s review phase; final engineering, permitting and any neighborhood agreements remain to be completed before construction.