Planners give tentative OK to Merrillville subdivision expansion
A proposal to build an additional 46 single-family houses in the existing Creekwood Crossing subdivision Tuesday received tentative approval from the Merrillville Plan Commission.
The new homes will range from 1,800 to about 3,000 square feet and will be built by Providence Real Estate of Crown Point on 23 acres at Williams and Baker streets.
Dough Ehens, vice president of land with Providence, said at a previous meeting that the houses would be geared toward first-time homebuyers.
Councilman Shawn Pettit, D-6th, who sits on the commission, said all they needed to look at for tentative approval were the street configuration and lots. Other issues would be discussed at later meetings.
In other matters, the commission gave final subdivision approval to Jezzy Rodriguez’s plan to build four single-family houses at the corner of Wilson Place and Jennings Place, contingent upon a review of streetlight requirements by town staff.
Attorney Tim Kuiper said Rodriguez would be willing to pay for additional streetlights if required by ordinance.
The land was once a town park, but was sold by the town at an auction to a bidder who said she wanted it for baseball practice for a traveling team. That individual later sold the property and Rodriguez is the current owner.
The commission also granted Ann Parker a 6-month extension for construction of a proposed assisted living center at 7800 Grant St. Parker had already received town approval for the project, but it expired in December.
Parker said there were some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic that delayed her project, but she’s now on target to begin work.
“No work has been done as yet,” she said.
Parker has proposed building a 141-unit assisted living facility for adults with disabilities. The development would provide independent living arrangements for adults with special needs, such as autism, who can live on their own but get special care, according to Parker, who owns Tender Love Home Services in Merrillville.