Terre Haute council rejects rezoning for Fruit Ridge–Ohio Boulevard development

The Terre Haute City Council voted 7–2 on Thursday to reject Special Ordinance 18‑20‑25, a rezoning request for property at 501 and 601 South Fruitridge that developers said was needed to build a mixed project of single‑family homes and multifamily apartments adjacent to Ohio Boulevard and Deming Park.

The matter drew more than three hours of public comment and testimony from neighborhood residents, preservation advocates, county officials and business groups. Supporters said the project would add housing supply and help attract employers; opponents said the plan would harm the character of historic Ohio Boulevard, create traffic and infrastructure strain, and lacked sufficient public review.

Eddie Felling, attorney for the landowner and developers, framed the issue as a jobs‑and‑housing proposition. "I ask all of you as council members to focus on the facts when you go to make your decision this evening," Felling told the council, and said the developer had prepared a plan and a memorandum of understanding with the mayor committing the parties to the presented project. Felling later added, "The MOU contractually binds us to the project we've presented."

Supporters included Mark Lincoln, a Vigo County commissioner, who called the proposed $70 million development a rare, large local investment and said it would expand the tax base and support schools and infrastructure. Julie Hart of Thrive West Central cited the group's market analysis showing regional demand for housing, and Kristen Craig, president and CEO of the Terre Haute…