Hunter-Pasteur Homes has withdrawn its PUD application to redevelop the Northville Downs property in a move that allows Watermark Residential of Indianapolis to submit a plan for a mixed-use apartment-retail building on Cady Street. Hunter-Pasteur plans to sell the land on Cady to Watermark.
Under City ordinance, both projects – the Downs PUD and the apartment building – could not be evaluated at the same time under two different applications. The Downs PUD proposal would need to be formally withdrawn before a separate site plan for the Watermark apartment project could be submitted.
Hunter-Pasteur Homes had garnered a hard-won PUD eligibility approval with conditions at the Planning Commission’s April 16 meeting. When those conditions weren’t met, the Planning Commission did not approve the application and sent it back to Hunter-Pasteur. The size and scope of the project made it difficult for Hunter-Pasteur to meet all the conditions for site approval. Plus, residents expressed opposition over a range of items – including increased traffic, the density of the project and environmental issues.
While Hunter-Pasteur isn’t continuing the PUD at this time, the company may do so in the future.
The Northville Downs property extends from 7 Mile midway up S. Center, from 7 Mile and River St. to Griswold and Cady, with several parcels on the west side of S. Center.
The Historic District Commission was asked for their input into the conceptual plans of the apartment/retail building at the Jan. 16, 2019 meeting. Several renditions of the building have been made since then. It’s not known when the plan will be officially submitted to the City.
In related news, the Planning Commission plans to re-open the Cady Town/Cady Street, Racetrack, and S. Center St. Sub-Area Plans in the Master Plan. The public will be invited to comment on changes to the plan as well as propose new ideas.