Evansville Planning Commission: Development Picks Up Pace;

Last night was an important night for Evansville. Two years ago, the planning commission had denied a developer who wanted to develop the land adjacent to Stoughton Trailers into residential development, citing the Smart Growth Plan which earmarked the land for light industrial and commercial development. Last night, after much citizen input that this is indeed what was needed, and after lots of discussion between city and developers, the planning commission heard a presentation proposing annexation of 200 acres designated for light indstrial and commercial and funded by a new TIF district.

Of the 200 acres, 73 acres are marked out currently, and the rest is open to flexibility. Even the city has some options for purchase of some of the land annexed. Hwy M will be upgraded and curb and gutter will be necessary said Mr. Sauer.

In an earlier article in The Evansville Review, Mr. Connors, City Administrator, had indicated that one of the concerns might be if the land was acquired and developed but there was a delay of interest by parties for location there. The developers indicated last night that there are already prospects for tenants in the development. The annexation and beginning of development is necessary because future prospects need more than a corn field to look at. They need an outline of the dream at least.

Mr. Hammann asked whether this annexation would be subject to the checklists that were used previosly for sub-divisions with review in the subcommittees. Mr. Connors said that was not necessary for this. To The Observer, this indicates a fast track for this project. The fact that the developer had thought that Cty M would not need any improvement suggests that some checklists are in order.

So---Good news for Evansville residents. The increment that The Observer has been obsessed with for a taxpayer benefit is all positive for this project. The Observer is content.

The only negative for all of this was the late notice of the agenda for this meeting. The press release for the agenda was sent out 4 hours prior to the meeting which assured that only bloggers could respond. That was unfortunate since to my eyes, this was a major positive event for Evansville. It would have been nice for the major media to share in the good news. A press release with some of the details to media would have also been nice. This is good news. It is shouted, not hidden.