The Evansville Common Council on Monday voted on several rezoning requests and continued one contested application for further work with the petitioner and neighbors.

Council adopted a set of rezonings recommended by the Area Plan Commission, including: R 20 25-09 (801 Adams Ave) to R-3 to legalize an existing three-unit dwelling; R 20 25-10 (604 South Rosenberger Ave) to R-2 to legalize an existing duplex; R 20 25-11 (site near West Virginia Street) rezoned to M-2 to permit trailer parking and storage for Lewis Brothers Bakeries; and R 20 25-12 (partial 923 N First Ave) to C-1 to consolidate zoning for a long-established skilled nursing facility. Each ordinance carried the Area Plan Commission’s recommendation for approval and was declared adopted by roll call.

Council also considered APC docket REZ-2025-011 (proposed ordinance R 20 25-08), a request to rezone 5.6 acres at 5001 Hirsch Road from R-1 to C-4 with an amended UDC to allow an indoor/outdoor storage facility. Area Plan Commission recommended denial (one affirmative, five negative votes). At the council meeting the petitioner’s attorney, Jeremy Schnepper, said the applicant had not yet developed a site plan and had filed the UDC broadly to keep the property marketable; he offered to work with the remonstrating neighbor to add buffering commitments.

Council members and planning staff expressed concern that the requested C-4 zoning would be inconsistent with the 2035 comprehensive plan and could negatively affect adjacent residential uses and floodplain areas. The petitioner agreed to negotiate refined development commitments with the neighbor and APC staff. Council voted to continue the rezoning to the July 14 meeting so the petitioner can finalize a narrowed UDC and, if needed, return to APC. A motion to table the item until July 14 passed by voice vote.

Planning staff and the petitioner described nearby conditions: the 2035 future land-use map recommends residential use for the Hirsch Road site, portions of the parcel are within the 100-year floodplain, and neighbors raised concerns about buffering, traffic and drainage. The petitioner presented a signed agreement with a neighbor saying an opaque fence would be installed if outdoor storage is used, but council and staff said such private agreements must be reflected in the UDC or development commitments to be enforceable.

Council members emphasized balancing property owners’ rights and neighbors’ concerns and urged the petitioner to incorporate enforceable development commitments in the UDC during the continuance period. The continued item will return to APC as required before a final council vote.