Expansive subdivision plans and an annexation for a wastewater infrastructure project are moving forward after garnering votes of approval at Crown Point’s April city council meeting.
A new 473-lot development took another step toward establishing 600 homes on the south side of Crown Point. The subdivision, Preserve Point, is planned to span 198 acres east of Ind. 55 and south of 141st Avenue.
On April 6, the Crown Point City Council approved to rezone the area from the lower-density R-1A zone to the higher-density R-2 zone with a 4-2 vote.
The project’s developer, Cap Dev LLC, is seeking to build 60-foot and 70-foot-wide lots in parts of the subdivision, requiring a rezone for a higher-density development. Michael Herbers came before the council on behalf of Cap Dev LLC for the rezoning request’s second reading.
“We increased our 55-foot lots to 60. We will be in front of the (Board of Zoning Appeals) at the end of the month to seek a developmental variance to reduce from both 80 to 70 for the 70-foot-section and 80 to 60-foot for the cottage home section,” Herbers explained when the council asked about lot sizes.
Crown Point council members Scott Evorik and Zack Bryan voted against the rezoning, while Andrew Kyres, Robert Clemons, Joe Sanders and Chad Jeffries voted to approve it. Laura Sauerman was not present for the vote during April’s city council meeting.
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In February, the Crown Point Plan Commission voted 4-3 to give an unfavorable recommendation for the zoning request. Plan commission member Michael Conquest, who voted against the proposal, previously told the Post Tribune that rezoning for a higher-density subdivision didn’t represent responsible growth and development in that area.
Cap Dev LLC described a mixed, intergenerational subdivision with single-family housing, parks, a walking path and a fishing pond.
Plans include 84 cottage homes, built for those 55 and older at a price point of $420,000; 260 Meadows homes at a price point of $480,000; and 129 Estate homes at a price point of $570,000, the Post-Tribune previously reported.
The fields and woodlands along Grant Street near 141st Avenue, which stretch a total of 268 acres, were annexed to become part of Crown Point in 2022.
In addition, the city council voted 6-0 to approve the fiscal plan and policy for the annexation of 2051 E. 121st Ave and 12291 Iowa Street, which is a 43-acre span of land to be used for the city’s wastewater infrastructure project.
Two residents voiced their opinions to the council during the public hearing portion of the vote. Crown Point resident Carol Jursak, who lives in the area of Iowa Street, spoke about her concerns about whether the city’s infrastructure can handle the oncoming growth.
“The rapid development is concerning,” Jursak said. “I am concerned about the schools. I can see how it’s going to end up if we keep approving all of these subdivisions. Do these builders even live in this area? Probably not. Most families that live in Crown Point move here because they like the schools. But with all of the expansion, it’s going to be a disaster, with Winfield already rapidly expanding, too. …They say it’s progress.
“I get that in some instances, progress is good, but don’t overdo it to where it’s going to collapse. The road on 109th and Broadway used to be a country road, but they’ve built it up with subdivisions and roundabouts. I see the traffic problems by my house. This is a problem, and I wanted to speak up about it.”
The city also said it will receive $130,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants this year. The funds will be used to make Americans with Disabilities Act improvements on roads and walkways, such as tactile paving surfaces designed to alert the visually impaired about hazards such as road crossings and drop-offs.
The next city council meeting is set for 6 p.m. on May 4 at Crown Point City Hall at 101 N. East St.
Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune; freelancer Deborah Laverty contributed.