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The preliminary plat for the Paths of Deerfield subdivision was approved by the Warsaw Plan Commission Monday night.
The decision, following months of tabling from the board, received a final vote of 5-2 in favor of the request. Commission President Joe Thallemer and Vice President Jeff Grose both voted in opposition.
The proposed housing addition, located at the southwest corner of CRs 75N and 175E drew negative attention from surrounding residents during previous meetings because of traffic concerns and possible drainage complications.
Before Monday's vote, Scott Lougheed, of Biggs Inc., reported the company's intention of constructing a detention and sedimentation basin along the southwest corner of the subdivision to both protect an adjacent wetland and control drainage issues in the area.
Thallemer and city planner Jeremy Skinner discussed a possible ordinance that could enforce a 75-foot setback between the basin and residential lots.
If the ordinance involves a type of developmental standard requirement, Skinner said, Biggs would have to go in front of the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance.
"The action tonight ... should consist of requirements including this situation," Thallemer said. "I trust that this issue will be looked into."
The board's approval for the subdivision consists of additional requirements for Biggs Inc., which include the company provide proper drainage calculations and take responsibility for certain costs incurred through the realignment of the CRs 75N and 175E intersection.
Also brought before the board was a survey exhibit Skinner recently received, displaying plans for a Husky Trail Subdivision, intended for a property along Husky Trail, north of Harrison Elementary School.
Skinner expects a request on the matter will be addressed before the board in January.
After examining the survey, members discussed concerns for the area if the subdivision is approved.
"Traffic has always been an issue in the area. Be it as a county feeder. Be it as a shortcut to Wal-Mart," Thallemer said. "I'd like to see the city get involved in some good, current traffic counts for the area. I can see this being a definite concern with this development."
Member Jim Gast spoke of the importance of proper right of way measurements, and said that factors outside of the commission's control, such as development outside of city limits, could add to traffic problems.
"This is one of the worst visible areas along Husky Trail," Gast said. "I want to hear what the county has to say."
Skinner was urged by many plan commission members to contact the mayor and county officials to see what could be done to prepare for the issues at hand.
"It may be our time to work with (officials) to look at the infrastructure of certain areas. Do we have the ability to allow for more residential and commercial expansions in these areas?" Grose said. "More data would be very valuable for proactive planning."
"This is an issue that's been smoldering for awhile. This is an area that's been ready to develop and we have to be prepared," Thallemer said.
Also during Monday's meeting, the board renominated Alan Clingan to the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals. Clingan's current term, which lasts until the end of this year, was extended to December 2009.
Commission members are Thallemer, Grose, Clingan, Gast, Tammy Dalton, Rick Keeven and Lacy Francis.
The next meeting is Jan. 9.
