MARGARET L. WILLIS

The Burns Harbor town council chose not to discuss the proposed Stone River PUD, continued from last month’s meeting.

Jeff Ballard, consultant with Abonmarche of South Bend, on behalf of property owner and developer Robert Lewis, told the council Wednesday evening that every concern raised by the Plan Commission had been addressed and requested that action be taken.

The plan came to the council with an unfavorable recommendation from the Advisory Plan Commission and last month the council voted 2-1 to reject the plan, with Bernie Poparad the lone vote against rejection of the PUD.

Wednesday, with Richard Bolinger absent due to hospitalization and Louis Bain on active Marine duty in Iraq, council president Jim McGee told Ballard the council “was in the same position.” No new vote was taken.

The PUD petition will automatically expire within 90 days of it’s first consideration, which will be Jan. 8, 2008, one day before the new town council’s first official meeting, Jan. 9.

The next PUD application may be filed 30 days after that.

The development as proposed would have included 40 paired patio homes on 9.72 acres on the north side of Rt. 20, just west of S.R. 149, where many town residents hope to control development and create a pedestrian friendly town center. The topic was one of the top issues in the recent town council elections.

Posted 12/13/2007