A rezone of the Crossroads Plaza property from commercial to light industrial received a favorable recommendation from the Merrillville Plan Commission Tuesday, now that a comprehensive list of permitted and not permitted uses has been ironed out.

The rezoning still needs to be approved by the Town Council. A zoning commitment worked out by town officials and Richard Anderson, attorney for plaza owner David Israel, specifically calls for the exclusion of several uses, including the manufacture of fireworks, sauerkraut, acid and soaps.

Warehousing, confectionery and grocery distribution and engineering services are among the allowed uses.

The plaza is located at the southwest corner of Broadway and 61st Avenue and once included a Menards and a movie theater, among other commercial uses, but has long struggled with few remaining businesses, including a Ruler Foods.

According to Bill Laird, Plan Commission director, most of the existing buildings will be demolished and a new building constructed.

Town Attorney Joseph Svetanoff recommended the rezoning be given the favorable recommendation, saying the project could improve the 61st Avenue corridor. “We worked on the zoning document pretty intensely. The zoning commitment protects both parties,” Svetanoff said.

He also noted that there is a clause in the agreement that would revert the property back to its original zoning if certain parts of the project aren’t completed within a certain timeframe.

“It’s a good agreement and it’s good for that area. That plaza has been in need of refurbishing for a long, long time,” Brian Dering, commission president, said.

Commission member Robert Bigelow said he had no problem with the new plans for the property, but he asked that the proposed detention pond be moved away from its projected site on 61st Avenue.

“It’s right next to a grade school. That's not the best place for it,” Bigelow said.

In another matter, the commission approved a new ordinance for a planned unit development that is needed for a proposed expansion to the Brookstone condominium complex in the 7500 block of Taft Street.

Laird said Brookstone developer Milt Petersen is planning to construct five more buildings with 26 units in each building on about 10.5 acres.

“A number of people, including the president of the homeowners association, are thrilled that this is happening,” Dering said of the project as the ordinance was unanimously approved.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.