Two separate petitions before the Warsaw Plan Commission on Monday dealt with properties near or along North Detroit Street (Ind. 15) north of U.S. 30.
The first petition had to do with the dedication of a right-of-way connecting Petro Drive.
City Planner Justin Taylor explained, “The proposed right-of-way will be developed into an east-west connection of Petro Drive for the benefit of multiple surrounding developments. The right-of-way will help facilitate future dedications of private roadways on North Parent Drive and throughout Tippe River Downs if deemed necessary in the future.”
He recommended that the Plan Commission grant the preliminary and final approval for the dedication of right-of-way.
The 0.74 acres is between Shelden Street and Parent Drive.
Burke Richeson, in-house counsel with Collins Equity Group, the developers of Tippe River Downs, said this was probably a dedication long-time coming.
“We’ve been working to finish up that project and this has always been used as a construction road to enter and exit that site as it’s been developed over the past five, six, seven years,” Richeson said. “So as we finish up here on this site with the Delmar, the last 72 units for the Tippe River development, we wanted to go ahead and dedicate that area to finish up that whole roadway throughout Tippe River Downs and dedicate that over to the town.”
He said they are working on “as-builds” for the rest of the dedications in the development and are well on their way.
“But, this is part of finishing up that last area of the project,” Richeson said.
Councilman Juergen Voss said the right-of-way will just connect the roads that are already there “so it’s a great step.” He asked if the city would be finishing that road then, and Richeson said that was correct.
“So you’re basically deeding it to the city so that we can put a road in there?” Voss asked, and Richeson said that was correct.
Taylor said, “This was kind of an agreed-upon participation for the city for this development, so it does benefit multiple developments. It’s not a typical ‘I’m going to build 50 houses and then run the road through that development and then deed it over at that point.’ This was more of a connection that the city wanted to see happen first and foremost, but then there’s other utilities and infrastructure that are part of this that makes sense for the city to participate in this manner.”
He said that was more of a Redevelopment Commission decision that was made.
“This just facilitates us to be able to bid this project out and take it on as part of the decision that Redevelopment made,” Taylor stated.
Councilwoman Diane Quance said this will give people living in the development back there, as well as those living at the long-term care facility, more of a direct access to Ind. 15.
Commission member Jim Gast asked when the bids will be put out to finish Petro Drive. Taylor said within the next couple months.
With no remonstrators, the Warsaw Plan Commission unanimously approved the petition.
The second petition was for the preliminary and final replat of one lot at 3454 N. Detroit St. into three lots. The 18.47 acres of Detroit Street Complex LLC is zoned Industrial-2.
In introducing the petition, Taylor said, “The replat of the proposed subdivision of lot 1 creates three lots to help facilitate future development. Lot 1 will consist of 7.13 acres, lot 2 will consist of 9.42 acres and lot 3 will be 1.93 acres. Lots 1 and 2 contain existing structures and lot 3 will be vacant land. An existing 30-foot access easement will provide ingress/egress to lot 3. Both lots 2 and 3 have existing drive entrances on (Ind.) 15, and lot 1 will maintain access from 350 North, so access to the proposed lots will not be an issue.”
He recommended that the Plan Commission grant preliminary and final approval for the plat as presented.
Quance said while lot 3 is currently vacant, she wanted to know about plans for the lot’s future. Taylor said there haven’t been any plans submitted.
Commission member Jeff Owens asked if all three lots would retain their industrial zoning, and Taylor said they would and the subdivision of the one lot into three would not impact that.
Ronald Ehinger, attorney with Bose, McKinney & Evans, Fort Wayne, representing the petitioner, explained, “What we’re proposing is ... dividing the single lot into three different lots. Plans for 1 and 2 are, we do have a potential buyer for lots 1 and 2, and they requested they be divided into that fashion. We’re not exactly sure the reasoning behind that. Lot 3 would be retained by the current owner and there is no specific plan, no specific buyer for that. We’ll probably be offering it for sale as a commercial property.”
The Plan Commission approved the preliminary plat, suspended the rules and approved the final plat unanimously.
The Plan Commission was then presented with a resolution approving a Redevelopment Commission resolution approving an amendment to the declaratory resolution and the economic development plan for the consolidation of the Northern and Central Economic Development Area. The Redevelopment Commission’s resolution added Applied Thermal to its acquisition list.
The city is working with Applied Thermal to extend a water line up a portion of North CR 100E.
On Oct. 7, the Redevelopment Commission approved the declaratory resolution adding Applied Thermal to the acquisition list and a resolution for the disposition of the property. The city is contributing $300,000 in additional costs to run the water line, rather than Applied Thermal putting in a private water system, for future development in that area.
The Warsaw Common Council also must approve a similar resolution and then it goes back to the Redevelopment Commission for final approval.
Because he didn’t have enough information on the matter, new member Jeff Owens abstained but the resolution was approved with five votes.
In one last piece of business, Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose gave the oath of office to Owens. Owens replaces Renea Salyer on the board.
The next Plan Commission is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 due to the Veterans Day holiday on Monday, Nov. 11.