The atmosphere was cordial as the Chesterton Advisory Plan Commission got its first look Thursday at a proposal for a housing subdivision on the 163-acre Brassie Golf Club property.
More than 50 interested spectators packed the Town Hall chambers to see the public presentation by Michael Herbers, who is managing partner for PMM Chesterton LLC. The plan commission took no action as its formal review process hasn’t started yet.
The phased plan proposes to build 632 units that would include single-family homes, paired villas and townhouses.
Public meetings held by the developer to discuss the proposal have been tentatively set for April 3 and April 8 at Chesterton High School.
PMM Chesterton LLC is the owner of the 163-acre property off Pearson Road. They operated the Brassie Golf Club until its closing in April 2021 and own the White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point.
Herbers said they also do business as Diamond Peak Homes and have built housing developments in Cedar Lake, Crown Point, St. John and Winfield. He said he doesn’t know yet what the price range will be for the housing.
The Brassie Golf Club property is one of the largest remaining undeveloped land tracts in Chesterton.
Herbers said that if the development goes forward, they would initiate annexation of the 71 acres of golf club property from Liberty Township into Chesterton.
PMM Chesterton LLC at one time had a contract with Lennar Homes, which brought a proposal for a 394-unit subdivision to Chesterton’s Advisory Plan Commission in November 2022. Lennar Homes stepped away after receiving a chilly reception from the plan commission.
Resident opposition mobilized last May after a Texas development company proposed a data center complex for the golf club property. After town officials also raised questions, the Texas company withdrew its plan.
On Thursday night, Rebecca Parker, who was appointed last year as the town’s director of economic development and operations, formally introduced the Brassie team.
Parker has been in discussions with the Brassie Golf Club owners for a number of months. The town has been working on building better relationships with the business community and streamlining its development process.
That prompted some concerns from Plan Commission member Tom Kopko, who in February issued a statement that he was invited to a meeting with the developer but didn’t want to attend because it didn’t follow the established process.
Councilwoman Jennifer Fisher, who helped create the new economic development process, in turn defended Parker and noted that the town has had a reputation within the development community of being “unwelcoming and unkind.”
The plans for the golf club property include a network of trails along with a connection to the adjacent Prairie-Duneland Trail. Small parks and detention ponds would also be part of the development.
Herbers said it was likely that the first phase of construction would be around the club and pool house located off the Pearson Road entrance.
Commission member Fred Owens said he liked the idea of the micro parks within the development and the connection with the Prairie-Duneland Trail.
Kopko advised the Brassie group to review the notes from the Advisory Plan Commission meeting with Lennar Homes in November 2022, because there would be similar concerns. Plan commission members then raised questions about the density of housing and drainage issues.
Commission member James Kowalski said that the developers will need to convince the people about their plan.
“Everyone has a concern,” Kowalski said. “When you draw a crowd, you know there are others that feel the same way.”
Kowalski noted that he believes PMM Chesterton is approaching this proposal the right way.
“Change is tough,” Kowalski said.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
