Developers seeking to rezone a portion of land along Ohio Boulevard to R-3 for a mixed single-family and multifamily housing project faced sustained public opposition at the June 5 Terre Haute City Council meeting, where staff presented a traffic study and the project’s state funding package was discussed.

The proposal, presented by Gibson Development and representatives, would cover about 45 acres and combine 93 single-family homes (Brickyard Estates) and 176 multifamily units (Paddock at the Park) with associated amenities. Attorney Eddie Felling and developer Brian Koister said the project is intended to add housing choices near Deming Park and that state funding and a residential TIF/RIF package — roughly $5.5 million in state assistance discussed at the meeting — make the infrastructure and price points feasible.

Why it matters: The parcel borders Edgewood Grove and Ohio Boulevard, a long-established, tree-lined historic corridor. Residents said the scale and zoning change from R-1 to R-3 would materially alter neighborhood character and generate traffic and school impacts; developers and the administration said the city needs more housing stock and that the state funding window imposes a fast timeline.

Traffic, safety and timing: Marcus Meyer, City Engineer, reviewed a traffic study the city prepared for the full subdivision and the intersection network. The traffic model estimated roughly 2,066 additional vehicle trips per day from the whole development and projected AM/PM peak additions of several dozen vehicles at key intersections. Meyer recommended narrowed travel lanes, bike lanes/buffers on Ohio Boulevard, improvements at Brown/Ohio and an upgraded signal at Fruit Ridge/Ohio if the development proceeds — work he estimated at about $1 million over two to three years to phase in.

Residents pressed multiple issues in public comment: several called for preserving single-family character, preserving tree rows and wetlands, and questioned market-demand claims that the region needs the number of $350,000-plus homes the developer cited. Speakers also asked whether the state’s residential incentive (RIF) money could be used elsewhere in the city if the council did not approve rezoning here. Kevin Barr and other petitioners said nearly 1,000 people had signed an online petition opposing apartments on the boulevard.

Developers and administration response: Brian Koister and Gibson Development emphasized the mix of product types, rear-loaded garages on the single-family lots, and a “class A” apartment product with clubhouse, pool and on-site property management. The mayor’s office and the developer said they will prepare an MOU (memorandum of understanding) specifying design commitments, sidewalks, landscaping and an internal trail easement to be finalized if zoning moves forward; mayoral staff said the MOU would be provided to council before the next action.

Council action and next steps: The council did not vote on Special Ordinance 18-20-25 at the June 5 meeting. Area Planning Commission had given a favorable-with-conditions recommendation; council members asked for the MOU and details on enforceability, phasing, the TIF/RIF award deadlines and specific traffic improvements before a final vote. The administration said the state’s award timeline sets a July 1 deadline to complete required steps for the RIF/TIF funding to be available; developers indicated they would provide a draft MOU early the following week.

Quotes: “This is a 45-acre site; it’s always been intended to be a residential development,” developer Brian Koister said during his presentation. City Engineer Marcus Meyer noted, “We expect about 2,066 trips per day” from the project and recommended narrowing travel lanes and adding pedestrian accommodations. Longtime neighbor Vincent Little told council, “We beg that you honor the Ohio Boulevard Historic District. Deny this rezoning request based on the requirement of a written commitment.”

Ending: Council members said they would continue hearings and review the MOU and traffic improvements before taking a final vote. The project remains under active review; the administration and developers said they will return with written commitments and additional detail to address neighbors’ concerns.