Evansville Planning Commission: Minutes: re. Smart Growth, Future Development

(Ed.note: The following is a section of the minutes of the Evansville Planning Commission meeting of May 1, 2006 that relates to the Smart Growth Plan and future development.)
  

Mr. Schwecke led the discussion regarding the annual review of proposed amendments to the city’s Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan and adopting appropriate requirements. The commissioners discussed whether they should table this resolution until they can merge the city’s plan with the Town of Union’s plan. Mr. Schwecke recommended the Commission add a “Whereas” clause stating, the city is working with the Town of Union to create an agreement. It is anticipated that following the conclusion of that agreement, there will be a city-sponsored amendment to coordinate the two agreements.

Motion by Hammann, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve Plan Commission Resolution 2006-2, adding a “Whereas” clause stating the city will work with the Town of Union to create an agreement to make their plans consistent once the township adopts their plan. It is anticipated that following the conclusion of that agreement, there will be a city-sponsored amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan to make it consistent with the agreement. Motion passed.

Preliminary Development Presentations.

Phil Maas and John Morning presented the idea of annexing Mr. Maas’ land and an amendment to the interim future land use map in the city’s Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan to mark Mr. Maas’ land for development (Mr. Maas’ land already is marked for development in the long-term future land use map in the plan). The Commission was concerned with how this annexation and a new subdivision would fit into the city’s growth goals. Mr. Connors reported that with development of the land that already has been annexed for approved subdivisions or potential future subdivisions, the city would meet its growth goals for the next 10 years. Mr. Connors reported that the Gildner property in the Town of Union already is marked for development in the interim future land use map. The commissioners noted that development of the Maas property is important to the city’s future transportation plan (because 6th Street and 7th Street need to cross his property if they are to intersect with CTH C), but they expressed concern about allowing another subdivision in the near future.

Report of the Evansville Redevelopment Authority

Mr. Connors reported the Redevelopment Authority is waiting to hear from property owners who want to add or remove their properties from Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 5. Only one property owner came forward to request that his parcel be added, and the Redevelopment Authority believes it would be prudent to wait until there are more parcels that need to be added or removed. Roger Berg, 75 Exchange St., reported that it is likely that there will be additional parcels the city will want to consider adding to TID No. 5 within the next six months.

Report of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission – none.

Report of the Evansville Large-Scale Commercial Development Study Committee
Mr. Schwecke reported on presentation to Evansville Area Chamber of Commerce on April 20th and public listening session held on April 27th. The Committee will meet on May 11th to make changes to the draft recommendations and then present their recommendations to the Plan Commission in June.