More than 20 members of the public attended the Warsaw Plan Commission Monday night with concerns regarding a request from Biggs Inc. for final plat approval on the proposed Paths of Deerfield subdivision.

The plat was approved on a 5-2 vote.

The addition, currently zoned as a planned unit development, drew fire from residents who said traffic, property value and screening problems will arise if the construction takes place.

A majority of the residents discussed the current and expected traffic problems, mainly along the intersection of CRs 75N and 175E.

"If the city can't care for that intersection, then there shouldn't be any more development," resident Steve Devenney said. "It's a safety issue."

Traffic estimates were presented by City Planner Jeremy Skinner, who said the calculated 1.37 vehicles per minute into and out of the neighborhood would not make full turn lanes necessary. Most did not believe the traffic calculations to be accurate, and expressed concerns that peak hours were not taken into consideration.

"We'll see how accurate those numbers will be," resident Charles Woodling said. "Statisticians say we all have 1.7 kids too, and I can't understand that."

Others discussed the occurrences of drag racing along 75N and the lack of law enforcement in the area due to it being near the city limits.

"We know there is a problem along that intersection," commission member Jeff Grose said. "Economic factors and other complications have not allowed us to address the issue. Hopefully, by focusing on the area, we can begin to remedy the situation."

After member Joe Thallemer closed the public portion of the meeting, members discussed their own concerns regarding Bigg's proposed lot sizes and number of lots within the PUD.

"They have not followed their intent for a planned unit development, and I feel guilty being involved with this for three weeks," Grose said.

Bigg's proposal previously was tabled during an Aug. 8 meeting with the board giving Bigg's numerous recommendations to follow in order to be considered for approval.

Ralph Biggs, owner of Biggs Inc., and Scott Lougheed, professional engineer, both told the commission they followed the suggestions to the best of their ability.

"But your proposal is not good planning," Thallemer said, who labeled lots in Deerfield as looking like "jigsaw puzzle pieces. We were hoping for an orderly development, and I'm not seeing it.

"We've been told these lots meet city requirements, but they don't. I'm very concerned with the increase in lots and the decrease in R-1 regulations."

Other members disagreed with Thallemer and Grose's comments, saying the commission should not focus on such high expectations of the PUD.

"We shouldn't be developers here," member Jim Gast said. "We're getting into areas we have no business getting into."

After discussion lasting three hours on the subject, the board approved Bigg's request with a 5-2 vote. Thallemer and Grose voted to deny the proposal.

Along with the approval, the board included numerous requirements for Biggs. Realignment of the CRs 75N and 175E intersection must begin when the construction of the subdivision begins and drainage conditions must meet city standards. The board also required Biggs to eliminate a certain proposed lot and adjust two other lot lines.

In other matters, the board approved a request from RealAmerica Development, LLC for preliminary plat approval to replat a lot northwest of the CR 300 and Ind. 15 intersection for an apartment complex. The board then suspended the rules and also voted unanimously for final plat approval on the matter.

Commission members are Thallemer, Grose, Gast, Tammy Dalton, Alan Clingan, Lacy Francis and Rick Keevan.

The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 10. [[In-content Ad]]