Developers have plans for Foxmoor

Town planners get details on land proposals

Merrillville planners heard proposals Tuesday for two different residential developments, both to be located near the front of the former Broadmoor Country Club on U.S. 30 now known as Foxmoor.

Inspired Development Group revealed plans to build 38 single-family homes on a 12-acre lot on West 77th Place while Jarper Properties wants to build 26 duplexes, or 52 total units, on a 17-acre lot at U.S. 30 and Morton Street.

While plan commission members were pleased with the overall concepts, both proposals had road issues. With Inspired looking to have a dead-end road and Jarper planning a cul-desac, both of which could be difficult for fire trucks and snowplows to maneuver through, Councilman and plan commission member Shawn Pettit, D-6th, recommended the two developers get together on creating one extended through road connected to both projects.

The road would eliminate the need for both the dead end and the cul-de-sac.

“You two groups need to get together and realign the road. I can’t support either project without some sort of collaboration,” Pettit said.

Pettit said both are good developments outside the road issue.

The single-family homes would be 2,400 square feet to 2,700 square feet and would be priced in the $350,000 to $400,000 range. That portion of the overall Broadmoor site would be called Royal Estates.

According to Munster engineer Gary Torrenga, the duplex proposal would be called August Manor, named in memory of his deceased son. He said the units will range in price from $300,000 to $400,000.

He said the development is designed with a large open area with a wet pond. Residents of some of the units will be able to look out at the pond from their unit, he said.

While the two developers are looking to build to the front of the property, Planning and Building director Sheila Shine said James Regan, of Energy Smart Homebuilders in Palos Heights, Illinois, is still building single-family homes and duplexes farther back on the property.

Regan bought about 176 lots altogether in the subdivision, encompassing everything but the wetlands and upfront property. He received approval for his project from the town in 2014.

In other matters, developer Craig Van Prooyen is looking to build 27 duplexes on just over 13 acres east of Merrillville Road and south of West 86th Avenue.

Pettit said the 86th Avenue extension will be completed by the town, using tax increment financing funds.

Engineer Jack Huls said they’re seeking planned unit development approval for the project because there are some site constraints, including being landlocked in the back of the property.

But plan commission member Ric Holtz noted that the proposal only includes one entrance/exit when the town typically requires two.

Town engineer Steve King said he would sit down with Huls and the developer again to discuss the matter.