Plans for a new development in the Northern Tier has raised concern from members of the East Lansing Planning Commission and neighbors in the surrounding area.

Patrick Gillespie, president of Gillespie Development & Management, presented plans to the commission about two weeks ago for The Beaumont, a 40-acre housing development along Coleman Road. The new community would add 448 apartments and town houses, office space and a retail center to the already-growing area.

Support for the project is scarce. The commission was expected to vote on Gillespie's request at their Aug. 27 meeting, but the item was suspended from the agenda after Gillespie asked for more time to make modifications.

"It's usual for the Planning Commission to grant the applicant an extension if they ask us," commission Chairperson Kevin Beard said. "The applicant wants a little more time to review their options."

The commission listed a number of changes Gillespie needed to make before the public hearing, including altering the layout to be more similar to other Northern Tier developments. Members also expressed concern about the amount of people the complex would bring to the area.

"I would think that the applicant would have to significantly revise the site plan to deal with the issues the staff report raised," Beard said.

The commission wasn't completely against the complex. In their report, they agreed the site plan is attractive in design and would provide an interesting mix of housing types targeted toward an adult market rather than students.

Gillespie said he hopes to have his changes ready by the commission's Sept. 10 meeting, when it is expected to be voted on. If the plan is approved, it will be handed to the East Lansing City Council for the final decision.

A group of about 15 people from neighborhoods near the Northern Tier developments have been circulating petitions against Gillespie's development for about a week. The group's main concern is the increase in traffic the development would bring to the congested Abbott Road.

"We're not anti-development, that's not the point," said Alan Arbogast, a resident of the Glencairn neighborhood. "Those of us who try to get out of the neighborhood every day find it increasingly hard to do so because the traffic is so out of control. Something should be done about that first, before new development is allowed up there."

As of Thursday, Arbogast said they collected more than 150 signatures from people against further development until the traffic problem on Abbott Road is addressed.

But Gillespie said because the complex is aimed toward adults and not students, many would use Coolidge Road instead of Abbott Road.

Gillespie acknowledged the traffic problem, but said he chose to build in the Northern Tier because of the Coolidge Road alternative, and isn't letting the petitions weigh heavily on his mind.

"It concerns me, but that's their right to bring it up to city officials and make sure roads are safe," he said. "There's a lot of growth out there, I can't deny that. People aren't used to seeing that kind of growth."