Jaindl Hopes to Develop Single-Family Homes Off Walbert Avenue

Developer David Jaindl gave township commissioners a heads-up on Wednesday night about his hopes to develop single-family homes on 94.4 acres of farmland off Walbert Avenue at 40th Street.

Jaindl came to the township commissioners' meeting to explain his concept -- about 90 lots ranging in size from 15,000- square-feet to two acres --  and to gauge whether his plans would run counter to any zoning laws being developed as part of the township's comprehensive plan.

Township commissioners did not express any immediate objection, nor did they take any official action.

However, Commissioner Dale Daubert encouraged Jaindl to proceed, saying the township would need the resulting tax revenue in tough budgetary times.

"This is just a concept," Jaindl stressed, as he showed commissioners a drawing of the potential development, with a clustering of homes, open space and walking paths. He said the existing house and barns on the property may be used in some way as community buildings.

"It's a pretty plan," he said. "It will do the community well."

In response to a question from Heidi McMahon, who is running for township commissioner in the Republican primary and who attended the meeting, Jaindl said the concept does not include any commercial development. He said traffic studies would be part of the project, if it moves forward. 

Jaindl told commissioners he'd be back with a more professional plan at a later time.

The land is currently zoned as low-density residential, which would allow the development of 117 lots with minimum lot sizes of 20,000 square feet, according to information provided at the commissioners' meeting.

Jaindl said later that he is under contract to buy the land, which the owner now leases to be farmed.

Under the township's comprehensive plan, the land is in a section of the townshp classified as suburban neighborhood. New zoning regulations have not been completed.