Mailbag: Mr. Connors Writes: Was Ordinance on Minimum House size capitulation and a joke?

Observer, what was the minimum house size set in the ordinance? Mason told me it was 1,200 square feet when he told me about it around Christmas time. Maybe it changed. If it did not, this is a joke. No one builds new houses less than 1,200 square feet, not even in Evansville. No wonder the builders and developers have no problem with it. If the new minimum standard is indeed 1,200 square feet, this is a complete capitulation to the interests of the builders and developers and does nothing, absolutely nothing, to protect the interests of the property taxpayers. The Council is either grossly ignorant or in the pocket of the builders and developers.

To give readers a frame of reference, our house, a plain, 3 bedroom ranch, is 1,500 square feet on the main floor (we are fortunate to have a walk out basement with more finished space). A 1,500 squre foot, 3 bedroom ranch is a small house anywhere except Evansville, where the builders and developers claim it is a large house.

The old minimum house size standards were the result of negotiations with the builders and developers. The claim of the aldersperson that this new standard represents the result of people working together is incredible. It is a completely one-sided deal.

Bill Connors
Former Evansville City Administrator