APC divided over new developments

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Three planned developments were up for debate before the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission Wednesday night.  Two saw divided votes.

A 3-story development on the southeast corner of Northwestern and Meridian called Meridian Crossing passed by a 10-2 vote.  Plans call for 14 apartments and 28 bedrooms.  Area plan staff gave it a positive recommendation.

"Students living in a place where Mackey Arena is across the street, the Stadium is just 100 yards away," Joe Bumbleburg, attorney for the developer, said.  "That makes absolute sense to me."

But during the meeting, zero people spoke in favor of it.  Nineteen people wrote letters against it, along with four more people who spoke up at the meeting.  

It's not a popular idea with members of the Stewart Cooperative House across the alley like former resident Amanda Padgett.

"I was shaking when it was being counted and very disturbed when I heard the vote," Padgett said.  "It's shocking."

Another West Lafayette development was approved unanimously.  Crosswalk Commons is a four-story, 88-bedroom building located on Hilltop Drive on Purdue's campus.

After a brief recess, the APC considered a rezoning request for a new apartment complex called Southern Winds located on the northeast corner of U.S. 231 and Veteran's Memorial Parkway.  Plans call for 206 apartments and was recommended for denial by area plan staff.

A petition with 190 signatures from nearby residents who are against the development.  Several more people spoke up against it.

In the end, seven commissioners voted against it, five voted for it.  But since any action by the APC requires eight votes, any official action will be taken during the meeting next month.

The Meridian Crossing planned development will go before the West Lafayette city council next month.

Crosswalk Commons will go before the Tippecanoe County Commissioners.