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Planning commission denies design waivers for Porter Campus R4 townhome project, citing private‑street and public‑safety concerns
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Summary
The commission denied a developer’s request for design waivers for four R4 lots and a private interior street in the Porter Campus/Porter Business Park area, after commissioners raised concerns about narrow lot frontages, parking, emergency access, stormwater and long‑term HOA maintenance.
The Porter County Planning Commission voted to deny the applicant’s request (case read in the record as DW2026‑5) for design waivers and related approvals for a four‑lot R4 development within Porter Business Park.
Attorney Todd Leith represented the developer and said the proposal converts oddly shaped, deep lots originally intended for commercial or office use into an R4 residential pocket with rear‑loading townhome units and a private interior street. "This has a long history," Leith said, outlining prior rezoning and earlier variances. Design professional John Kremke described unit layout, one‑car garages in the first phase and shared parking courtyards.
Commissioners repeatedly flagged concerns about the proposal’s use of a private street to serve the density proposed, the narrow (20‑foot) lot widths (versus the 30‑foot frontage standard), parking spillover onto adjacent streets, and whether fire and emergency services could be served safely. Commissioner Kevin Breitsky and others also pressed for clarity on stormwater detention capacity; staff said existing ponds were designed in 2012 for maximum lot coverage but engineering confirmation would be required at later review.
Several commissioners expressed skepticism that an HOA would reliably maintain a private road long term, noting HOA incorporation, covenant strength and professional management would be needed to protect the county from future liabilities. The developer said the private street would be built to near‑public standards and covenants would be robust.
After extended questioning and public comment, a motion to deny (mover recorded as speaker 1) was made and seconded. The clerk read the roll call: Kevin Breitsky (yes), Bob Galiana (no), Craig Kenworthy (yes), Margaret/Arvin Merkner (yes), Pamela Micheler Fish (yes), Ed Morales (yes), Redstone (yes), Nikki Witowski (yes). The motion to deny carried with seven votes in favor and one opposed. The commission therefore refused the requested waivers and the application will need revision before returning to the commission.
Next steps: The applicant may revise the plan (for example by reconfiguring access as a public road, adjusting lot sizes or adding guarantees for HOA maintenance) and resubmit.
