Split vote as 2 WL developments get approval

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It was a split community and a split vote Monday as two major developments sought final approval from the West Lafayette Council.

The Area Plan Commission recommended approval of the 720 Northwestern Avenue Project last month.

The project passed, but by the narrowest of margins Monday.

"I'm disgusted," said Ted Wachs, who lives a couple blocks away.  "This is just too much.  It's a large mistake."

Nearly every seat was filled in the West Lafayette council chambers for the discussion of the project, which had earlier been called the BoilerCribs or Landmark Development.

The project is a five-story planned development with underground parking, an urban grocery as the anchor tenant and student apartments above.  

Twice as many people spoke up against the project as spoke up for it.

The final vote was 4-3, with Peter Bunder, Ann Hunt and Gerald Thomas voting against the plans.

"I'd say by a 4-3 vote, the city council basically voted for neighborhood decay and killing of any good future development plans," said Wachs.

Project part-owner Matt Garrison said the planning and negotiation project worked.

"Obviously, we're very pleased with the result tonight," Garrison said.  "Like I said last time, reasonable people can disagree."

The project is a part of Hunt's 3rd district. She said she didn't receive a single comment from a person in her district who was for the project.

"Because I try to represent my district, I absolutely could not vote for it," Hunt said.

Councilman Gerry Keen who voted for the project said it fits West Lafayette's comprehensive plan.

"I personally like the project," Keen.  "I think it's good for our community as a whole."

Chambers cleared out somewhat after the 720 Northwestern vote while discussion began about the State Street Corner project at the intersection of State and Northwestern.
    
Plans call for a five-story building, with a new restaurant in a basement level, a CVS on the first two floors and two dozen apartments above.

It was discussed that the Where Else Bar which is a current tenant has plans to move across the street to the Chauncey Hill area.  The vote was a unanimous 7 to 0.

"Any kind of development, generally speaking, if it's a good development, is good for our community," Keen said.  "Both of these projects are going to bring us a substantial amount of assessed value to citizens of West Lafayette."