LAFAYETTE, IN — Concerns about drainage, utilities and their future neighbors brought more than a dozen rural Battle Ground residents before the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission to voice disapproval for a new subdivision.
Greystone Subdivision, a 13-lot subdivision seated on 17.4 acres along the west side of County Road 300 East, north of Prophets Rock Road and owned by developer Brett Lueken, was approved Wednesday night in an 11-2 vote, finalizing the subdivision request.
The property has always been zoned R1 since the county adopted land zoning in 1965, APC Assistant Director Amanda Esposito said. Given the proposed lot sizes within the subdivision, nearly an acre each, Esposito said the subdivision met the technical requirements attached to its zoning.
Ashley Perry, a resident neighboring the proposed subdivision, said she and fellow neighbors aren’t opposed to the development of the property, given the need for housing in the county, but moreso the number of lots proposed.
The issue with the lot sizes, Perry said, stemmed from the decision to place all of the homes within the subdivision on private septic systems as opposed to connecting with Battle Ground utilities, pointing to the county’s 2-acre rule for private septic systems.
“It appears that Mr. Lueken is being granted an exception simply because connecting to Battle Ground’s municipal water and sewage would be at a significant expense to him. Financial convenience for a developer should never override public safety regulations,” Perry said. “If a well or septic system fails on these small, 1-acre lots down the road, there will simply not be enough physical space on the property to install a new replacement system. When that happens, the catastrophic environmental and financial costs will be passed entirely on to the unsuspecting future homeowners, because Mr. Lueken will have already pocketed his profits and walked away.”
Keri Turrell, a resident neighboring the proposed subdivision, said issues with water have been reported with other neighboring subdivisions, causing concern among residents for the local aquifers.
“There are too many lots proposed to this to be sustained in this plan, which will no doubt impact the utility and water usage for this area already,” Turrell said. “Utilities are impacted by a nearby subdivision, Shawnee Ridge, whose residents currently report issues of water and water pressure. This will just exacerbate the current problem.”
A common concern among neighbors, too, is drainage issues within the area, which is already prone to flooding, Turrell said.
Pat Cunningham, owner of Vester and Associates land surveyors representing Lueken, said the subdivision follows what is required of the R1 residential zoning in the county.
“I’m amazed that the 13-lot development is such a popular item tonight, but it is,” Cunningham saidabout the seven neighbors who chose to speak publicly.
Cunningham said Lueken has worked closely with APC staff to analyze the property to ensure the subdivision fits the requirements for the land’s zoning. After the APC approval to subdivide, Cunningham said plans will be addressed by the town of Battle Ground, the Tippecanoe County Health Department and the county drainage board to address further concerns.
About storm run-off and potential flooding, Cunningham said plans are in place for a retention pound southwest of the subdivision.
“I understand these people’s concerns, and I would like let them know we’re working with commissioners, we’re working with the drainage board, we’re working with the health department on this, and going through the process to make sure this place is safe,” Cunningham said.
Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Rural residents push back on new subdivision in Battle Ground
Reporting by Jillian Ellison, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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