Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the PUD topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission grants preliminary PUD for 20-acre ‘Crossroads Autoflex’ mixed-use project
Summary
The commission approved preliminary planned-unit development (P6P1-0426) for a proposed mixed-use "autoflex" project at 7350 E. US 30. Petitioner Nick Panos described a convenience store, gas station and higher-end vehicle-storage units; town and petitioner will draft a PUD ordinance narrowing permitted uses before final approval.
The Town of Merrillville Plan Commission voted to grant preliminary planned-unit development approval to NWI Lincoln Highway Partners for a 20.044-acre mixed-use project at 7350 East US 30.
"My name is Nick Panos. I'm the managing member of NWI Lincoln Highway Partners," Panos told commissioners, describing the Crossroads Autoflex concept and noting the petitioner has participated in prior workshops. A nearby resident, Tim Jones, asked for clarification about what businesses would occupy the development: "I live right behind where that's going to be. I'm just wondering what's going to be there."
Sheila, the town planning staff member, said the preliminary PUD will provide storm and sanitary sewers, water, curb-and-gutter, streets and street lights, and that surface water will be routed through onsite stormwater facilities and released at the town's control rate. Commissioners emphasized that the eventual PUD ordinance will need to narrow the list of permitted uses in the C3 zoning category so that a future owner cannot introduce unrelated permitted uses without returning to the commission and council.
Commissioner Sean Pettit, whose ward includes the site, made the motion to advance the preliminary PUD; Commissioner Brian Daring seconded. The roll-call vote was affirmative by seven members and the motion passed. Commissioners and town attorneys advised that the petitioner and their local counsel will work with town staff and the town attorney to prepare a PUD ordinance for final review and a subsequent council ordinance for adoption.
Panostated the development team is prepared to move quickly on final materials and expects to proceed to final engineering once the ordinance and outstanding items are resolved. The petitioner, town staff and counsel will continue to coordinate legal language that will define permitted uses and address frontage-road and signage requirements.
The commission's action advances the project to the final-PUD stage; final approval and any ordinance changes will return to the commission and then to the town council.
