County Plan Commission tables rezoning request for housing development

Ken de la Bastide, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
·2 min read

Jul. 12—ANDERSON — After more than two hours of discussion, the Madison County Plan Commission tabled a request to rezone property in Green Township for a housing development.

Gardison Land Development requested that 141.4 acres on West 800 South near Indiana 13 be rezoned from agricultural to residential for single and multi-family residences.

The intent is to build a total of 320 houses.

Several local residents Tuesday raised concerns about the development, including increased traffic and the need for a fire station.

The Plan Commission tabled the request until the August meeting.

Elizabeth Bruns, senior planner with the Madison County Planning Department, said the county's comprehensive plan has designated it a growth area.

The staff recommendation was that the developer pay for a traffic impact study and cover costs for improvements to the county roads in the area.

Bruns said the staff recommended approval of the rezoning with the stipulations that the streets in the subdivision be at least 30 feet wide, have paved walking trails along County Roads 800 West and 800 South, and dog parks and swimming pools in the two development areas.

Adam Mears with Gardison said there would be three different types of housing including starter homes, residences for empty nesters, and apartments.

He said Ryan Homes will build the starter homes at a cost of $275,000 each and the empty nester homes would be in the $325,000 range and include all maintenance services.

Mears said Redwood would build and maintain the apartments.

Green Township Trustee Greg Valentine said in the past two years there have been 1,230 homes built or planned in the area.

Valentine asked for some property to be set aside for the construction of a fire station, which would be part of a newly formed fire district.

Resident Thomas Mathews asked that the Plan Commission or Madison County Commissioners, who have final approval of the rezoning request, conduct another public hearing at a time when more people could attend.

Mathews also requested that the county suspend development in the area until adequate plans are developed for the necessary infrastructure.

He also asked that a limit be placed on building permits dependent on infrastructure improvements.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.