Plans for a 173 single-family subdivision called Crystal Grove in Crown Point moved forward despite continued negative feedback from residents.
Residents, including city watchdog Sam Kozaitis, questioned whether the city could continue to add new housing and offer sufficient services, including police and fire.
Other residents, who live near the proposed subdivision, said they are concerned about the cutting down of trees and instead want to keep the environment in the country-like setting where they chose to make their home.
“Residents don’t want this. You’re representing the developer and big money,” Kozaitis said.
Kozaitis told the council to listen to residents who cited increased traffic and other concerns.
“Enough is enough,” Kozaitis said.
The Crown Point City Council, after considerable discussion, gave unanimous final approval on Monday that will allow plans for Crystal Grove to go forward.
The council approved a resolution for the fiscal plan and policy for the annexation of 112 acres on parcels known as 13209, 13232 and 13420 Delaware Street.
The council also gave unanimous final approval to an ordinance related to petitions for the annexation of those same parcels.
Now that final annexation is approved by city officials, plans are for developers to return to city officials to seek residential zoning to build single-family homes there for a subdivision which will be called Crystal Grove, Todd Kleven said.
Kleven serves as vice president of Land Acquisition for Lennar Corp., based in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Kleven thanked the city council following annexation approval.
“We’re following your direction,” Kleven said.
Plans by his company are to build the subdivision into what he termed three products, including homes on the east side of Delaware, to be called Horizon, which would be priced in the $420,000 average range.
Other homes planned include those in the middle of the subdivision to be called Landmark and priced in the $480,000 range.
Homes on the west side of Delaware would be what he termed estate homes and would be priced at $650,00 on average and on up.
Plans for the subdivision also call for walking paths and two parks, Kleven said.
Kleven said if zoning changes are approved, Lennar hopes to break ground later this year.
“I think we are in line with the city’s vision,” Kleven said.
City Councilman Robert Clemons, R-2nd, said he has served on the council the longest of any councilman and has seen the city grow from 15,000 and on up.
He said he’d like to keep things the same and understands the concerns of residents but progress is inevitable.
“We’re lucky we have people who want to come here,” Clemons said.
In other business, the city council gave initial approval to a development agreement between the city of Crown Point, the Crown Point Redevelopment Commission and Venture One.
Jim Wieser, attorney for the project, said the project said the industrial development is planned for 101st Avenue off Interstate 65.
“The proposal is not for a data center,” Wieser joked.
Instead, what is proposed at the location is a 1-million-square-foot warehouse and distribution building.
Wieser said Venture One is responsible for building the 1.2-million-square-foot John Deere facility being built in the Lowell-Hebron corridor along I-65 and Indiana 2.
The council also approved a rezoning request, with stipulations, for R-1A residential to R-2 residential zoning for 198 acres at 13630 Grant St., despite an unfavorable recommendation from the Plan Commission.
The council agreed to an initial approval pending the petitioner’s agreement to 80-foot lots in the final reading next month.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
