Merrillville high-end apartment complex gets panel’s favorable nod

A proposal to build high-end apartments on 28 acres near the Broadfield residential development received preliminary approval from the Merrillville Plan Commission Tuesday after flooding concerns were addressed and with the condition that no hunting will be allowed on the property.

Edward Rose Properties of Indianapolis is proposing to build 12, 2-story buildings with a total of 270 apartment units and a clubhouse at 9047 Connecticut St.

Other amenities will include a swimming pool and a dog park.

Commission members liked the project, but added flooding was a big concern. They wanted assurances the development wouldn’t cause any of the flooding problems Broadfield residents endured in the past.

Town engineer Steve King and Bob Csanyi, of Robinson Engineering, said the drainage plan had been reviewed and accepted by several engineers and Matt Lake, executive director of Merrillville Stormwater Utility.

“No stone was left unturned. Every I was dotted and every T crossed,” Csanyi said.

One Broadfield resident questioned if property owner Jeffrey Brant would be able to continue to allow hunters on the property and resident George Van Til asked who would maintain the retention pond on the property and whether a stoplight would be installed on 93rd Avenue.

Brant said he wouldn’t continue to allow people to hunt on the property.

But Town Attorney Joseph Svetanoff wanted the stipulation that no hunting be allowed on the 28 acres as part of the approval.

“You’re putting in a massive apartment complex,” Svetanoff pointed out.

Brant will be responsible for maintaining the pond.

As for the stoplight, King said it’s a possibility.

“It’s being looked into, especially with property development on the other side (of 93rd Avenue),” King said.

In other matters, developer Milt Petersen once again received approval for a proposed expansion to the Brookstone condominium complex in the 7500 block of Taft Street.

The commission approved the project in 2018.

“Then reality set in. I struggled with financing, then came the pandemic and inflation,” Petersen said.

He said he now has the financial backing needed for the project,

He said the complex will consist of 4-story buildings with parking on the ground level. He said they’ll have price tags starting at $240,000.

“It was a great project before. I don’t know why it wouldn’t be now,” commission member Brian Dering said.

The commission also granted Webb Auto Group final subdivision approval to expand its Hyundai dealership at 938 W. 81st Ave. and took action to facilitate the redevelopment of the former strip center at 93rd and Taft into a luxury apartment and townhouse development called Merrill Point Center.