The DeKalb Plan Commission discussed the North Fifth Ward Neighborhood Plan when it met Wednesday night.

The plan, which is designed to help residents and property owners with the long-term liability and health of the historic district, was introduced last summer and is awaiting approval to be taken to the city council.

The fifth ward includes areas within Lincoln Highway to the south, First Street to the east, Miller Avenue to the north and John Street to the west. The plan would preserve the area.

The plan calls for construction of single-family homes, solving traffic and parking issues, and appearance, maintenance and preservation of properties.

One property owner in the fifth ward disliked the plan, saying he had a problem with people that have no investment in the area telling him what he can and cannot do.

Another resident stated that the plan would be beneficial and encouraged the commission to adopt it and pass it on to the council.

Plan Commission Chair Rich Fassig was the only one who motioned for the plan to be approved.

“The plan is rational and logical,” Fassig said. “The staff did a good job and I think they should push this on to the community.”

Other commission members agreed the plan needed more approval by the public.

“I understand both points of view, but the concerns from single-family homes and multi-family homes have no common ground,” said commission member Vincent Frye.

The other members of the commission agreed on postponing approval until the next Plan Commission meeting.

“The problem here is that there is a split consensus with what’s going to be done instead of a strong consensus,” said commission member John Guio.

New business dealt with at the meeting sought construction for a drive-up restaurant at 1115 W. Lincoln Highway. Wendy’s, 1321 Sycamore Road, also has plans to build another drive-up window to update its facility. Both plans were approved by the commission.

OakCrest DeKalb Area Retirement Center, 2944 Greenwood Acre Drive, has developed a preliminary plan to expand. The expansion would include a 20-bed expansion and the creation of single-person private rooms. OakCrest also will develop a new parking lot with an alternate means of getting in and out of the lot.