Plan Commission 1.12.10 Meeting Minutes - the Town of Winfield

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Jeff Ban indicated that future amenities to the project would include a clubhouse and a green space water view. An overview of the types and styles of the various multi-family buildings were then reviewed, along with the proposed construction phases of the project. He indicated that the proposal was a $26 million project and the units were projected to rent at a $1 a square foot. Jeff Ban also stated that the developers were prepared to provide additional right-of-way to create a dedicated 50 foot right-of-way on both 109 th Avenue and County Line Road. At the close of the presentation, Attorney Enslen indicated that petitioner’s legal notices were all in order. Lance Ryskamp provided the Commission with his staff report, which included a review of the TAC meeting held on the project. He indicated that his research of the old county files confirmed that the approved plans in 1996 were still current. He informed the Commission that petitions and correspondence had been filed prior to the meeting, including a petition by the “No DBL Apartments Action Committee” and a letter of opposition from the Community Manager of the Lake of Four Seasons, Rick Cleveland. In addition, there was a report filed by Greg DeLor of the LOFS Fire Department on the project. Attorney Enslen advised the Commission that both the petition, as well as the LOFS letter, should be admitted as part of the record. He further advised that under current Indiana law, property owner associations and adhoc committees have no legal status to remonstrate on a project, only individuals. Tony Clark then opened up the meeting to questions from the audience to the petitioners on the project. He asked audience members to sign in with their name and address for the record. William Teach, 7446 Boardwalk, asked what amenities would be included in the first phase of construction. The petitioner indicated that there would be no amenities in the first phase. Frank Martinez, 9180 Doubletree Lane South, asked about whether there would be a fence around the development. Jeff Ban answered that there would not be a fence. Mike Villa, 7414 E. 109 th Avenue, asked if any of the rental units would be used as Section 8 housing. Michael Sakich indicated no, and that the monthly rent of the units would be between $1000 and $1500 a month. Tim Ormes, 8346 Doubletree Drive, asked who the petitioner was. He was informed that it was Doubletree Lake Apartments, LLC. He further asked about the location of the proposed entrance on County Line Road. Jeff Ban responded that the entrance is approximately 500 feet north of 109 th Avenue. He asked and Attorney Enslen answered, questions related to the Planned Development (PD) process. He asked if a traffic study had been done and he was told that one had not been done to date, but that would come later in the process. He questioned the adequacy of the utilities to service the area. He asked if the petitioners were willing to stipulate that none of the units would ever be used as Section 8 housing. Michael Sakich said that he was not sure he could legally make that stipulation. Frank Diehl, 29 South Ventura Blvd., asked whether the additional children who will live in the complex will put an additional strain on the schools, fire and police protection. Mark Gruenhagen, 8751 __________, asked whether the petitioners would be paying Doubletree Association fees. Michael Sakich responded that they will not be part of Doubletree or their property association. Bob Herm, 10317 Snead Street, asked who the property owner was. He was told it was DBL Residential, L.P. Steve Mattimire, 8810 E. 109 th Avenue, asked who will improve County Line Road as part of this project. Jeff Ban answered that it would be the petitioners who would make the improvements. Tim Ormes, 8340 Doubletree Drive, asked who will be paying for the Randolph Street pump station upgrade. Attorney Enslen indicated that it would be the current owners of Doubletree. With no further questions presented, Tony Clark asked if there was anyone who wished to remonstrate in favor of the project. Hearing none, he then asked if there was anyone who wished to remonstrate in opposition to the proposal.
Rick Cleveland, 1048 N. Lake Shore Drive, as the LOFS Community Manager, read into the record the letter provided to the Commission, dated January 11, 2010, in opposition of the project. Dave Anderson, 10535 Erie Drive spoke in opposition on behalf of the No DBL Apartments Action Committee. He indicated that over 300 residents were in opposition to the project. He felt that the proposed project would be a long-term problem for the town. Frank Diehl, 29 S. Ventura Blvd., asked who would pay for all of the improvements and stated that the project would be a big mistake. Lou Gorgos, 10290 Doubletree Drive South, said he was a Doubletree resident for the last 6 months and a Risk Manager by profession. He was concerned as to who would ultimately pay for improvements. Colleen Hatami, _______________, said she was very active in the school system. She was concerned with the possible impact on the schools with having a lot of families renting for short periods of time. Jeff Kolish, ___________________, works in the Valparaiso school system and has seen a negative impact in his schools since there was an increase in Section 8 housing. William Bobey, 7391 E. 109 th Avenue, cited Section 156.263 of the Winfield Town Code. He also discussed the Park Dedication and Open Space ordinances and their application to this project. Randy Hall, 8502 Doubletree Drive South, stated that he had been President of the original Doubletree holding company who obtained approval for the development from the county in 1995 and 1996. He stated that the approved proposal at that time contained multi-family buildings, but they were to be owned, not rentals. Tammy Schiessle, 4197 Thornhill, said she was a resident of LOFS and she had experienced having a rental home two doors away. She said that this proposed development will affect the neighbors. Dawn Follmar, 8260 Doubletree Court, said that she had also had a bad experience with renters. Sharon Bodkin, 8645 Doubletree Drive, said she is very proud of the Crown Point schools. Steve Mattimire, 8810 E. 109 th Avenue, stated that he will live the closest to the development and it will decrease property values. Tim Ormes, 8340 Doubletree Drive, questioned how this development would actually benefit the Town of Winfield. Scott Foster, 8758 Mystic Circle, stated he was against the project. John Holley, 83 S. County Line Road, said he lived on the Porter County side of County Line Road and he believes in the concept of “government for the people, by the people”. William Teach, 7446 Boardwalk, stated he was against the project and stated there would not be sufficient sewer capacity to handle existing development in Doubletree, without an expensive upgrade to the town’s sewer plant. Hearing no further remonstrance, Tony Clark closed the public hearing. During rebuttal from the petitioner, Jeff Ban indicated that the contract to purchase the land was contingent upon the necessary upgrades to the sanitary sewers being made. Tony Clark asked the Commission if anyone had any questions for the petitioner. There were none. Gerry Stiener commented that as a lifelong resident, the town currently has a fine town council and good people on its boards and commissions. He stated that he was proud to be a resident of Winfield and that some of the comments made were uncalled for.
Page 1: MINUTES Plan Commission Public Meet

Plan Commission 1.12.10 Meeting Minutes - the Town of Winfield

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