Planners OK Harrison Ridge Subdivision Final Plat, Discuss Big Box Stores
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Plan Commission approved a final plat during its meeting Monday for Harrison Ridge Subdivision.
At its Feb. 13 meeting, the commission approved a preliminary plat for the 39.15-acre subdivision that will create 113 single-family residential lots. The subdivision will be on the north east side of Husky Trail and north of Harrison Elementary School.
The subdivision was reviewed by the Warsaw Traffic Commission during its Jan. 5 meeting.
The plat was approved Monday with conditions.
A letter of credit or bond must cover the estimated remaining infrastructure improvement cost of $30,000 for top coat asphalt and a lift station.
The developer will have three years to complete sidewalks for the first section of the project. The developer will have up to one year after the three years to complete construction of the remaining sidewalks.
The commission continued discussion on big box stores in Warsaw and the impact they have on the community. The commission previously discussed the topic at its Aug. 13 meeting.
The commissioners also suggested requirements developers should meet if they plan to vacate a big box store property.
City Planner Jeremy Skinner suggested the plan commission create an ordinance which defines where big box stores should be allowed in the city. The ordinance also could charge developers an impact fee if a lot is not sold after the developer vacates the property or does not make an effort to sell the property.
Skinner said the developer could be charged an impact fee per square footage. Money could be put in a land conservation fund in case a developer of a big box store vacates a property. The money could be used to demolish or help another developer re-use the property once the other developer vacates the property, Skinner said.
Commissioner Tammy Dalton said she did not support requiring developers to pay an impact fee.
"We want to encourage growth in our community and putting an impact fee on developers might discourage business growth," Dalton said.
"We don't have a crystal ball to see into the future and predict what will happen to our big box stores, but we need to promote our community and current businesses."
Commissioner Joe Thallemer said the commission should consider the impact big box stores have on the community.
"When we consider an ordinance for a big box store, we should establish an area and look at the impact the store has on our community and think how to prevent a vacancy before a store leaves our community," said Thallemer.
He said when a big box store leaves a community, it creates a gap and void in the area and economy.
Thallemer suggested a developer who wants to purchase a building could be encouraged to contribute to the arts and culture similar to how Menards is providing funding to build a fitness trail by Harrison Elementary School.
"I think it is a good idea to be proactive and define where we think big box stores should be allowed in our community because some of the stores could be gone in 10 to 15 years," commissioner Richard Keeven said.
Keeven suggested the commission consider the materials developers use to create businesses in Warsaw. He suggested developers consider using brick or stone materials rather than block materials when constructing buildings in Warsaw.
Keeven also suggested the commission research what similar businesses in other states are doing to ensure Warsaw gets the best constructed businesses possible.
Skinner said the commission will continue the big box store discussion at its October meeting.
