Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Proposed changes to PUD eyed cooly by Porter planners

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By PAULENE POPARAD

Developer Larry Gough is proposing to change plans for his Mineral Springs Villas housing development for a second time since it was platted in 2006.

But the reception from Porter Plan Commission members Wednesday was less than enthusiastic.

“You're going to have to do a lot of convincing,” member Ken Timm told Gough attorney William Ferngren.

Town department heads were asked to meet as a Technical Advisory Committee to review the request and advise the commission before its Sept. 17 meeting.

Commission member Brenda Brueckheimer, town Public Works superintendent, voted no on the 6-1 motion to schedule the petition for a public hearing that night. She said there's too much previous documentation and history to review before then.

Town planner Jim Mandon said even if a public hearing is conducted, the commission doesn't have to reach a decision Sept. 17. The commission would make a recommendation to the Town Council, which has final say over what's in the planned unit development ordinance.

Timm said when Gough changed his PUD a first time in 2010 the commission went through the amendments with a fine tooth comb and it’s not their fault if only one of the 18 lots at the northeast corner of Beam Street and Mineral Springs Road has been built upon.

Judy McDaniel, who resides in one side of the paired-patio home there, said some promises Gough made haven't been fulfilled and she questioned why the property owners association isn't doing anything, especially plowing the private PUD road in winter.

Brueckheimer said the developer wanted a self-contained concept with the POA handling maintenance responsibilities. Commission member Jim Eriksson said he has a problem with the town taking responsibility for more roads, something Brueckheimer agreed needs to be addressed.

Building commissioner Michael Barry said he can find no as-built plans for the Villas road and would require that, along with core samples being taken, before any final decision is made.

Ferngren said other changes Gough wants to make for the 3.65 acres are adding more single-family homes, adding two-story homes in the current ranch or 1 1/2 -story development, and last night he made a new request to allow buyers to combine two lots for one home.

Barry said he's had several calls about the project that was intended to be a cohesive planned community. If the changes are approved, he noted, there could be a mix of big houses, little houses and paired-patio homes.

Mandon said he is seeing a trend from multi-unit to single family and it can work if done well.

Commission president John Kremke said there needs to be cohesiveness. McDaniel said the Villas could end up looking silly, especially with an occasional two-story home, if some order isn't maintained.

 

 

Posted 8/25/2014

 
 

 

 

 

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