Fourth Ward residents, pastors and developers urge reconsideration of liquor store at 321–329 S. Kentucky Avenue

Residents, pastors and neighborhood developers told the Evansville Common Council Monday they oppose a change‑of‑use that would allow a liquor store at 321–329 South Kentucky Avenue and urged the city to change notice rules and review how such uses are approved.

Councilwoman Carruthers, the Fourth Ward representative, said many constituents raised alarms after the property — zoned C‑4 since 1977 — filed an APC (Area Plan Commission) site review and was approved. She told council the location is within walking distance of Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church and Joshua Academy preschool and that neighbors did not receive adequate notice before the APC decision.

Why it matters: Neighbors and community leaders said the store would be adjacent to churches, a preschool and a greenway used by children and families. Speakers asked the city to consider ordinances that would require notification to neighborhood associations, schools and churches within three blocks for certain business changes and to close gaps the group says allow businesses to “slip in” under long‑standing C‑4 zoning…