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Neighborhood speakers urge council not to allow ADUs in New Chauncey
Summary
Multiple residents of New Chauncey urged the council during public comment to exclude the R1U neighborhood from an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, citing high existing density, parking, noise and a history of declining owner occupancy.
During the public-comment portion of the Feb. 3 meeting several New Chauncey residents urged the council to exclude R1U (New Chauncey) from any auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance or to include strong safeguards to prevent ADUs becoming student rentals.
Peter Bunder, of 701 North Chauncey Avenue, said he opposes the ADU ordinance as written and urged the council to address occupancy abuse and property-tax exemptions before approving ADU rules that he said would “move residents out and transients in.” Bunder said New Chauncey was intended to remain a distinctive, older neighborhood and warned that additional ADUs would accelerate loss of owner occupancy.
Katie (last name not provided) presented a color-coded map she and others prepared showing existing rental properties, owner-occupied homes, parent‑owned student housing and investor‑owned properties. She said New Chauncey already has two to two‑and‑a‑half times the density of other West Lafayette neighborhoods and argued ADUs would primarily be used for student housing, amplifying parking, noise and garbage problems.
Linda Peyton, a resident at 700 North Chauncey, said Bloomington’s ADU experience differs (Bloomington limits ADU bedrooms and later added landlord affidavit requirements) and warned that West Lafayette’s draft language ignores local green-space and coverage requirements in the zoning code. Peyton said Bloomington’s enforcement questions show the potential for problems after ownership changes and expressed concern that the proposed ADU rules would bypass existing vegetative-cover and maximum‑coverage standards in R1U.
Speakers asked the council to include safeguards to prevent ADUs from being converted into student rentals or to exempt the New Chauncey R1U zone entirely. No formal council action on an ADU ordinance occurred during the meeting; these remarks were submitted during the general public‑comment period.
