Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The development plan for the Pike Lake Pointe Apartments project received approval, with conditions to be met, from the Warsaw Plan Commission Monday.
The developer, Pike Lake Pointe Apartments LP, in partnership with the Cardinal Center, plans to build a multi-family apartment complex with 64 units north of Lucerne Park. Pike Lake is on the east side of the 5.36-acre area.
About one-third of the residents will be physically or mentally disabled, according Jane Greene, CEO of the Cardinal Center.
Plans are for five buildings to be constructed on the steeply sloped site, former location of Korth Furniture. There are 135 parking spaces and a play area along the lake.
Mark Strong of Engineering Vision Inc. approached the board to answer several concerns of the plan department.
Strong said the buildings will be brick and vinyl. He agreed with notes to install bicycle racks and three fire hydrants, which were requested by Warsaw fire chief Matt Warren.
Although landscape plans were submitted, adjacent neighbors wanted a few modifications.
Paul Arbaugh, of Brubaker Street, requested a thick-growing hedge border rather than trees. He said the plants will keep little kids off his property and ensure his view of the lake.
Alward Street resident Shirley Stayer lives north of the proposed building two. She asked that a fence be used, even if it's on her property, to separate her from the parking lot.
Strong agreed to both landscape changes.
Arbaugh also asked why the play area was on the northeast corner of the property when Lucerne Park was so close by. He suggested that the area would regularly be underwater. He said his yard floods every year and one year it reached his foundation.
Moving it to the south would not only keep little children away from his pier, but provide a drier play area.
Strong said the play area is designed to be a water runoff retention area, too. A series of storm drains, which will flow directly into the lake, is being planned for the site.
Arbaugh's neighbor, Dean Swope, said he is concerned about drainage, too, because there is always water standing on Alward and Brubaker streets.
Another Park Avenue resident said while Pike Lake may be able to drain off the water, expected to be about 240,000 gallons during any given rain event, the drainage would go into Center Lake, which already has flooding problems.
She also said the runoff from five acres covered in concrete and asphalt also is bound to go south, toward Center Street. When it rains, Park Avenue between Center and Market streets is impassible due to high water.
Strong said drainage into the lake is "the best we can do for the area. It won't be worse, it will be better."
Community development coordinator Teresa Ho of the Warsaw plan department said city planner Jeff Noffsinger checked with county surveyor Dick Kemper, and while recognizing the difficulties of the site, approved the drainage plans.
Ho said Jones & Henry Engineering reviewed the project's plans and said the current sanitary sewer pump at Simmons Street will not serve the additional people.
Public works superintendent Lacy Francis agreed with that assessment.
Commissioner Alan Clingan asked that more plants be used as a buffer on the west side and that the sidewalk be tied into Park Avenue.
The primary and secondary development plans were approved as long as the sanitary sewer problems are addressed, additional landscaping and fencing are installed and the sidewalks tie into Park Avenue.
In other business, the plan commission:
• Approved a request and preliminary plat by Silver Fox Development Inc. to establish a residential planned unit development for duplexes on 26 lots on Whitetail Run.
This is the second phase of the Silver Fox Ridge development, east of Husky Trail, consisting of 10.3 acres.
• Approved the preliminary and final plat for Pheasant Ridge fourth addition, consisting of four lots on 1.275 acres on Salman Drive.
Plan commissioners are Joe Thallemer, Jeff Grose, Alan Clingan, Dewey Lawshe, Lacy Francis and Richard Keeven. Jim Gast was absent.
