Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Preserve Point topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission issues unfavorable recommendation on Preserve Point rezoning after split vote; residents warn of traffic and affordability issues
Summary
The commission voted 4–3 to issue an unfavorable recommendation to City Council on a Change of Zone for Preserve Point (13630 Grant St), a proposed 602-lot development with a 15.75-acre lake. Commissioners split over lot widths and density; nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, wildlife loss and home affordability for seniors.
The Crown Point Plan Commission on Feb. 23 issued an unfavorable recommendation to the City Council for a requested Change of Zone from R-1A to R-2 for roughly 198 acres at 13630 Grant Street, a proposed development called Preserve Point.
Jeff Ban of DVG Team, Inc. presented the petition for CAP DEV, LLC and said Preserve Point would include about 602 lots, with 84 age-restricted lots for buyers 55 and older, four park areas and a 15.75-acre central lake. Ban told commissioners the proposal is consistent with the City of Crown Point Comprehensive Plan and noted the parcel was annexed in 2022; he said the earlier 2022 submission estimated construction costs at roughly $263 million.
Planning Administrator Josh Watson summarized staff review and noted the property was annexed in 2022 as R-1A. The proposed change to R-2 would reduce minimum lot size from 15,000 square feet to 7,200 square feet and reduce the required lot width from 100 feet to 80 feet; the petitioner indicated it may seek variances for some lots that would be narrower than 80 feet.
Commissioners split over density and lot widths. Laura Sauerman, a Plan Commission member, said she felt the developer had agreed at an earlier workshop to a 60-foot minimum for certain product and was concerned the current proposal seeks smaller lots. In response, Eric Freidman of Pulte Homes committed that the age-restricted cottage homes would have a minimum 60-foot lot width.
Nearby residents raised objections during public comment. Dr. Tim Mullally, who lives southwest of the proposed site, said the development could harm ponds and wildlife and argued that “senior citizens cannot afford to purchase $500,000 homes.” Other neighbors cited traffic safety at the 141st/Grant and 137th/Grant intersections, requested larger lots and asked the city to require road improvements if the development proceeds.
On procedural votes, Joe Sanders moved to adopt the developer’s submitted Findings of Fact and issue a favorable recommendation to City Council; that motion failed on a 3–4 roll call (YES: Rich Day, Joe Sanders, Chad Jeffries; NO: John Marshall, Dan Rohaley, Laura Sauerman, Mike Conquest). Mike Conquest then moved to reject the submitted Findings of Fact and issue an unfavorable recommendation; that motion passed 4–3 (YES: John Marshall, Dan Rohaley, Laura Sauerman, Mike Conquest; NO: Rich Day, Joe Sanders, Chad Jeffries). The unfavorable recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final action.
The commission’s split highlighted a tension between demand for smaller, age-targeted product and resident concerns about density, traffic and housing affordability. The City Council will consider the zoning change and any related variances or subdivision approvals in subsequent hearings.
