Council approves Redwood PUD change to allow one- and three-bedroom units

The Whiteland Town Council voted 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2025-11, approving a modification to the Redwood planned unit development to allow one-bedroom and three-bedroom unit options in addition to the previously approved two-bedroom, two-bath units.

Town staff introduced the petition and said the Plan Commission had voted 4-0 to recommend approval. Attorney Joe Cinkos, representing the petitioner, told the council the new mix was designed to fit the same footprint with slight dimensional changes and to respond to market demand among older adults: "This came about primarily with 3 bedrooms, same clientele, same, kind of 55 and over focus," he said, describing the market rationale for offering a three-bedroom option.

Unit sizes listed in the application were: previously approved two-bedroom units at 1,100 square feet; proposed one-bedroom units at 909 square feet; and proposed three-bedroom units at 1,595 square feet. The petitioner said the change would apply to future buildings only and would not alter units already permitted and under construction.

Action and votes: Councilmember [roll-call sequence recorded] Tim Brown, Brad Goedecker, Deborah Hendrickson, Joe Sailor and Richard Hill voted yes; the motion carried, "Pass 5 to 0." The council adopted the zoning ordinance in a single meeting, as permitted for zoning changes.

Why it matters: The decision alters the allowable unit types and sizes for the Redwood development, which the petitioner said is targeted toward older adults (roughly 55+) but not age-restricted; the change could affect future design, parking and infrastructure needs and will guide staff in reviewing future building permits.

Ending: The ordinance was adopted on final approval at the meeting; staff and the petitioner said permit applications already pulled will remain unchanged and future permits will conform to the revised PUD standards.