By VICKI URBANIK

Plans were outlined Wednesday for a new subdivision along Meridian Road in Liberty Township totaling 246 lots, prompting concerns about drainage and the possible need to widen Meridian one day to accommodate the growing traffic.

Timberland Farms, proposed by the developers of the nearby Timberland subdivision, would consist of two separate parcels on both sides of Meridian: A 20-acre parcel on the west side, immediately north of Fox Chase Farms, with 61 lots, and a 120-acre parcel on the east side of Meridian with 185 lots.

The developers scored their first victory in the planning process Wednesday when they won a favorable recommendation to rezone the 20-acre parcel from Rural Residential to the Residential-1, a zoning category that allows more density. The nearby Fox Chase Farms, Timberland, and the 120-acre parcel are all already zoned R-1.

The plan commission voted 5-3 to forward the rezoning to the Porter County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation, despite opposition from neighboring residents. At least two of the planners said the vote was a difficult one.

Plan Commission member Herb Read noted that R-1 zoning already exists to the south and the east, but pointed out that the property to the north and west is zoned RR. He said it was a “coin toss” as to what zoning to support.

Another member, Robert Detert, called the rezoning a “real tough case,” since the issues raised once again highlight the conflicts between new developments and residents who want to maintain their rural community. He also cited the long-standing argument that property owners have the right to develop -- but in this case, he said he fears that encroaching development has blocked the farmers involved from being able to keep farming, leaving no choice but to sell for development.

In the end, the planners who voted in favor of the rezoning were Detert, Kevin Breitzke, Tim Cole, Robert Harper, and Elizabeth Marshall. Voting no were Read, Rick Burns, and Rita Stevenson. Todd Hutson was absent.

Several planners noted that the rezoning, if approved by the commissioners, is just the first step in the process and that the entire subdivision plan for both of the parcels involved will need to come back for a public hearing and possible changes.

Drainage

A recurring concern for neighboring residents dealt with drainage.

Guy Wallace said when Timberland was built, the developers flattened the land. “When they level this and flatten this out, will I get flooded out?” he asked.

Several of those who spoke out live in nearby Fox Chase Farms. One was John Dhaemers, who said that right behind his house is a very low-lying area on the 20-acre parcel. He questioned what will happen when the land is developed. “That water will not go up uphill,” he said.

Several other Fox Chase Farms neighbors said they already have drainage problems and questioned how that would improve if the 20 acres is developed. One of the concerns raised that a great deal of water -- about the size of a two or three-acre lake -- forms in the middle of the 20 acres after a rain, not in the northeast corner where a detention pond is planned.

Timberland attorney William Ferngren said the drainage issues will be addressed when the primary plat comes up for approval. But he said the drainage plans will not negatively harm the neighboring property owners and that drainage overall will likely improve.

Harper, who is also a commissioner, asked a series of questions about drainage, emphasizing that under the county’s new stormwater and drainage rules, a new development cannot dump water on neighboring parcels. Even if the water currently ends up on the neighbors’ land, developers have to submit plans showing that they will contain the water on their own property, Harper said.

Rural Living

Several neighboring residents said they hope the incoming new residents won’t complain about the odors and noise from their farm animals.

Brenda Wallace, a Liberty Hot Shots 4-H Leader, said she wanted to bring a chicken and rooster to the meeting, just to let people know how loud they can be. The people moving into the Timberland Farms will have more city attitudes, she said, and rather than let farm animals graze, they will likely apply lawn chemicals on their grass.

“They’re not going to have chickens in their yard,” she said, raising the concern that the newcomers “won’t like us” because of the farm animals.

But the Wallaces made clear they intend to keep their farm animals. “You are not going to impose on me,” Guy said to the developers.

Similarly, Doris Scheffler said she’s concerned about new houses butting up against her horse pasture, how lawn chemicals might affect the grazing and whether the new residents will complain about horse manure.

“I feel like you are failing us,” said Beverly Caldwell told the planners. She said land in Liberty Township is being sold as acreage, questioning why so many new subdivisions are being allowed in when others are maintaining a rural community.

“Timberland Farms -- that name is ironic,” she said, adding that people moving to the subdivisions will want a more congested community, not farms.

Another resident, Tim Trowbridge, a middle school student, said his class is already one of the largest the school has ever had. He questioned how the Duneland Schools will handle so many new students. His comments prompted praise from Marshall, who said it’s refreshing to see a young person get involved. “You’re starting out young, and I’m glad to see you here,” she said.

Traffic

Another concern raised -- for the planners and residents alike -- dealt with traffic on Meridian Road. Several residents said the traffic is already very heavy and that there are logjams at 900 North and Meridian. One resident asked if Meridian Road will need to be widened, especially once another 246 lots are added in the immediate area.

The prospect of widening Meridian wasn’t dismissed.

Dunelands Group engineer Mike Duffy, one of the Timberland representatives, said Meridian could be expanded by two lanes without affecting the plans for the detention pond on the west side of the road.

Cole said Meridian Road is becoming a corridor road and that the best solution might be to widen the road, but to do so would require property acquisition. He suggested that developers agree to commit property for this purpose.

Two of the planners who voted against the rezoning recommendation also raised traffic concerns.

Burns said Meridian Road is already saturated with traffic, while Stevenson questioned why the developers haven’t done a traffic study. “That would have been the first thing in my mind,” she said.

The rezoning will go before the county commissioners for another public hearing on Nov. 20.

Posted 10/12/2007