A proposal to build four homes on a former Merrillville park property could be reduced to three lots, an attorney for the developer was told.
Jezzy Rodriguez, of Trustart Homes, is proposing to subdivide a 1-acre portion of the former Jennings & Wilson park at 7460 Wilson Place into four lots.
The land was sold by the town for $5,000 at an auction in 2013. A woman who purchased the property said it would be used as a practice ballfield for a youth travel baseball team.
Attorney Timothy Kuiper, representing Rodriguez at Tuesday’s plan commission workshop session, said town engineer Steve King indicated the four lots would fit on the property.
But commission member Brian Dering wasn’t so sure, pointing out that two, 4-foot sidewalks and a detention area needed to be installed on the property.
“There’s a question of an existing storm sewer right down the middle of the property. It will be a major expense to relocate,” commissioner Brian Dering said.
“It could go down to three houses. It’s all based on engineering,” Dering said.
King said he had just received some information from Rodriguez’s engineer that day and had not had time to review it.
Councilwoman Margaret Uzelac, D-4th, who chairs the plan commission, said the property was donated as a park by the original developer of the area and nearby residents may speak against the proposal when it’s discussed again at the commission’s Oct. 20 regular meeting.
“At the end of the day the town owned this property and sold it. If we meet the requirements for subdivision you have to approve it,” Kuiper said.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
