Arbor Chase subdivision continued after fire and access concerns

The commission continued consideration of S-5351 Arbor Chase, Section 6, Phase 5, Revised, to the August 19 Area Plan Commission meeting after lengthy discussion over emergency access and a narrow right-of-way gap near the proposed Navi Boulevard dedication.

APC staff said the filing contained deficiencies and identified a roughly 1-foot gap that would leave roughly 3 acres of the collector alignment outside a formal dedication, which conflicted with the Unified Subdivision Ordinance's subdivision definition. "There was also a 1 ft. gap off the proposed right-of-way boundary for Navi Boulevard... that would be left behind if Navi Boulevard was not dedicated," staff said.

Petitioner representative Ryan Munden disputed the recommendation of denial, saying the developer had successfully completed many subdivisions and argued the issue had not been previously identified; he opposed being required to dedicate land or build the multi-million-dollar road section. West Lafayette Fire Chief Tony Schutter and Police Chief Adam Ferguson said access concerns could slow response times and posed public-safety risks. City engineer Scott Chandler and other city staff expressed opposition to approving the preliminary plan without the staff conditions. After questions about who would dedicate or build the road and whether alternative fixes existed, commissioners voted to continue the petition to allow the parties to resolve outstanding issues.

Darrin Sorenson of Tippecanoe Development LLC described prior conversations about temporary asphalt drives but said the development timeline would be delayed if the collector were not resolved. The APC recorded a continuance motion carried by unanimous voice vote.