Merrillville planners hear again about Hunter Glen duplex project
By Karen Caffarini Post-Tribune correspondent August 7, 2012 8:18PM
Updated: September 9, 2012 6:18AM
MERRILLVILLE — Engineering consulting firm DVG Inc. returned to the plan commission Tuesday with plans for the proposed Hunter’s Glen duplex development that are similar to those given conceptual approval more than a year ago, and in turn heard similar concerns.
Jeff Ban with DVG Inc. said the market wasn’t ready for implementation of the 61-unit duplex development to be located on Merrillville Road, both north and south of 86th Avenue, causing the approval to expire.
He said the plans presented Tuesday were similar to the initial ones, with some improvements.
“The main structural concern was stormwater. We are proposing a retention pond that will be good for Hunter’s Glen north and south and good for the adjacent Hindu Center property,” Ban said. “The pond is sized to take in a 100-year overflow to the south,” he said.
He added developer Craig Van Prooyen of CVP Development Inc. agreed to take care of maintenance for the entire pond.
Dr. Harish Shah, a member of the Northwest Indiana Hindu Religious Center, said he was concerned about the capacity of the retention pond.
“It’s already full and needs to take into consideration our future growth,” Shah said.
Councilwoman Chrissy Barron, D-5th, pointed out the plans presented during Tuesday’s workshop session did not have two entrances and exits, which were required the first time around.
“Are you planning on putting in a stoplight? I would have a problem if you did. Traffic on Merrillville Road is very heavy now,” Barron said.
Ban said there are no plans for a stoplight, adding he would work go back to the drawing board to add another entrance and exit.
Dr. Panna Barai, one of several members of the adjacent Hindu Center attending the meeting, said she would like to have their engineers look at the developer’s plans before the next commission meeting.
“We’re planning an expansion of our building in the future. We will be fair,” Barai said.
She also expressed concern that one of the entrances would be at the entrance of their temple, which would be against their religious beliefs.
Ban said he would meet with the Hindu Center’s members to iron out any concerns.
The development would include 62 living units located on 18.8 acres on the north side of 86th Avenue and 60 living units to be located on 13.07 acres on the south side.
The commission didn’t take any action on the plans Tuesday. It is scheduled to vote on the conceptual plan at its Aug. 21 meeting. The proposal would then need several more approvals from the town council and plan commission before it could get under way.
