Winona Eyes Proposal For ‘Pocket Community’ Along Pierceton Road
Winona Eyes Proposal For ‘Pocket Community’ Along Pierceton Road
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Jackie Gorski-jgorski@timesuniononline.com
Winona Eyes Proposal For ‘Pocket Community’ Along Pierceton RoadWINONA LAKE – A developer looked for guidance from the Winona Lake Town Council Thursday in regard to a project he is hoping to eventually develop.
“We’re just looking for guidance and permission,” Jay Widman, of Widman Property, said.
Widman wants to build what he calls a “pocket community” on Pierceton Road next to Grace College and Seminary. Pocket neighborhoods are generally a planned grouping of smaller homes around a common ground.
There would be two-story houses that would be individually owned with a homeowners association, Jay said. They would have a front porch with a two-car parking area in the back.
“There’s a common area in between the houses and in front of the house for people to enjoy community,” Jay said. There will also be a pool. However, there won’t be a tennis court because it’ll be so close to Grace College.
The houses will be approximately 1,500-1,600 square feet with 800 square feet per floor with five different designs to choose from, Jay said.
“It won’t be a trailer park-type feel,” Lori Widman said.
Town coordinator Craig Allebach said that was one of his concerns because of how the houses look in the preliminary rendering provided to the committee.
“I think it’s a good idea, but I have a lot of questions,” Allebach said.
Commission President Dave Turner stated there are several regulations the plans aren’t in compliance with, but didn’t go into detail, also stating the houses would have to be built according to the town’s zoning specifications.
Allebach said the town would have to look into what the requirements are for other pocket communities and go from there.
Town attorney Adam Turner also stated he would work with the Widmans to see what they can do with regard to ordnances to determine if the pocket community is possible. He also suggested looking at regulations governing homeowners associations.
“When it comes to spending money, we’re going to want to see everything spelled out in detail,” Dave Turner said.
In the short term, it was agreed more research into regulations and requirements other towns have in regards to pocket communities was needed.
