CEDAR LAKE | Whether there is a deal on the method of development of 70 acres west of town remains uncertain, and that could scuttle plans for a new middle school site.

The Hanover School Board and Todd Olthof of Olthof Development are trying to swap properties. The school system owns 70 acres at U.S. 41 and West 125th Avenue for the purpose of building a new middle school. However, Hanover Township residents cited safety concerns in opposing the location.

Enter Olthof, who owns acreage at 141st and Parrish Avenues. He has been working hard with town and school officials to meet requirements to swap properties within the time line required by the school district. School officials say they must own the 141st Avenue property by Dec. 6.

Olthof has said he wants to develop 125th Avenue site as a planned use development, and that it could be a dealbreaker for him.

"It's important for us to know how we can develop prior to changing properties," he said.

In a special session with the Town Council on Tuesday, Olthof did not get any signal about whether a planned use development would get support. Instead, Olthof presented the council with 22 changes that had been incorporated into his land use and development plan as a result of the town's input.

On Oct. 3, Olthof will be on Plan Commission agenda to get members' input on his mixed-use plans that incorporate single-family homes, patio homes and terrace homes or townhomes.