On Monday night, the Evansville Planning Commission voted to approve the proposal of Berg-Brunsell Real Estate for three four-unit condominiums. The property is on the north side of Porter Road. The new park is north of the property and the day care is located to the east. A residential subdivision is under development on the south side of the street.
The original plan was for 8 units, but Paul Brunsell explained that to get the proposed price tag for a two-bedroom unit to near $150,000, it was necessary to make it 12 units. Some members of the council were concerned that with only two spots for each condo for parking, it would be necessary for guests to park in the street. Mr. Brunsell explained that the 25 foot setback required by the city meant less room in the rear for guest parking. There was a trade-off. People are already parking in the street on Porter Road. Now, more would park there.
When asked by the Observer whether this was the important moment when the smart growth limit for ten year growth was broken, Mr. Connors replied that they really had not decided how they were going to count, whether on project approvals, infrastructure begun or lots sold etc. This project had been "talked about" but the numbers had not been included in any earlier discussion of projects that filled the 10 year plan.
I just returned from observing the Twin Cities Marathon last weekend. Any runner surely knows the meaning of mile markers. I stood at the 22 mile mark and cheered on two of my friends that were running. I offered ice chips and a face cloth. That is what is needed at 22 miles or when one is close to death, and at 22 miles they feel the same.
When you run, you want to compare how you feel to the mile marker and adjust the pace accordingly. Same in development. When one does not want to count, it means that one should not be in the race.
So, I count this as 12 over. 12 over the Ten Year Smart Growth Plan for Evansville and 12 over for purposes of planning for enrollment at the schools. Ald. Cothard offered that folks who live in two bedroom condos don't have children. That was reassuring. I am hoping that someone tells the couples that move in.
So, there it is. We are at the ten year finish line in only 4 months. What a breathless run!
What do you think? You make the call.
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Cueball i think you are actually getting it. They don't think they have to follow any guide lines or rules. They have the same attitude as our teenager which is I will do as I please, and so what, what anyone thinks. Except for these are adults and I would hope they would give things more thought than a teenager.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was apethetic on my part, but I lost interest in Smart Growth when I saw the PC had no interest in following it. As far as the Westfield Meadows subdivision, Kendall Schneider from the Town of Union asked the Evansville PC to not approve this and wait 1 year until smart growth was implented before considering annexing this land. The PC under Mayor Ringhand's leadership ignored this plea. Jeff Verstal actually commented that he is on the Smart Growth committee and doesn't know what Smart Growth is, so why wait? (He said something along these lines, this is not a quote).
ReplyDeleteAt the time of this annexation was approved with 4-3 vote, Tom Petterson cast one of the Yeah votes and his father is one of the Developers.
At the time of annexation citizen member Mr. Hurley made the most logical arguments against this development and he later resigned. It has been called "sour grapes" by some, but I think he didn't want to waste his time when he knew enough members would follow the mayors lead and vote how she wanted regardless of any discussion from the public or among members.