The Crown Point City Council’s approval on May 6 to rezone approximately 37 acres of farmland in the area of Interstate 65 and 101st Avenue moved the proposed Venture Park 65 light industrial business park project a major step closer to reality.

At its April meeting, the City Council heard from numerous residents who expressed concerns over truck traffic, light and sound issues, and large buildings blocking their horizon. They were also concerned with the impact on their property values.

After about two hours of discussion, the council voted 5-2 to approve the rezoning on first reading, moving the matter to a second reading, which was approved by a 6-1 vote.

Attorney Jim Wieser, representing the developer of Venture Park 65, expressed that a “great meeting” with concerned residents recently went well and addressed their issues.

The developer, Mark Goode of VentureOne Real Estate in Rosemont, Illinois, plans to place two large industrial buildings on the site that would be used primarily for warehousing, with the possibility of light assembly but no heavy manufacturing.

Goode told residents that he would fully address concerns, and was amenable to erecting sound barriers, a berm, fencing and landscaping to shield the operation from the subdivision. The extension of Mississippi Street through the property is another possibility, including traffic signals and turn lanes to alleviate traffic.

Goode plans to purchase the land now that the city has approved the rezoning to allow for the development.

The area falls in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, so local property taxes could fund some of the infrastructure improvements.

In another developmental matter, the council approved the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning for The Fountains, a 114-acre, mixed-use project at Interstate 65 and Route 231.

The project features a mix of commercial, retail, office, hospitality and residential uses. If there is an approval on second reading in June, the city can begin to review the construction plans.

Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.