Planning commission approves R-3 rezoning for Brickyard Estates and Paddock at the Park amid heavy public comment

At a meeting of the Vigo County Area Plan Commission in Terre Haute, commissioners voted to approve a rezoning that would allow a mixed residential development known as Brickyard Estates and an adjacent multifamily project called Paddock at the Park.

The proposal rezones portions of 501 and 601 South Fruitridge Avenue from R‑1 single‑family to R‑3 General Residence, permitting 93 single‑family homes in a development the developer calls Brickyard Estates and an adjacent multifamily component the petitioners described as roughly 11 buildings and 72–76 dwelling units. Attorney Eddie Felling, representing the applicant, called the project “a $70,000,000 development” and said it is coupled with a proposed residential TIF (RIF) award the developer is pursuing.

Supporters and opponents framed competing priorities. Developer Brian Koister of Gibson Development said the single‑family homes would target a $350,000–$400,000 price range, include rear‑load garages and no vinyl siding, and that the multifamily portion would offer amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, pickleball courts and a dog park. City Engineer Marcus Meyer presented a traffic study prepared by the Department of Engineering and said the development, taken as a whole, would generate roughly 2,066 trip ends per day; he described recommended mitigations including narrowing travel lanes on Ohio Boulevard, adding or improving signals where warranted and lengthening left‑turn lanes at Fruitridge and Poplar to reduce queuing.

Residents who spoke said the proposal would erode the historic character of Ohio Boulevard and Deming Park, worsen existing traffic and pedestrian safety problems and add pressure to nearby schools. Several speakers asked the commission to postpone action; others urged denial or changes to reduce density. Susan Beason, who lives on Ohio Boulevard, said the proposed 11 buildings “would not detract from the current profile of Ohio Boulevard,” and described the scale of the multifamily structures as inconsistent with the boulevard’s historic character. Teacher and local resident Heidi Isaiah said the likely home price point “does not meet the average median income in Terre Haute” and warned the city’s schools would face additional strain.

Commission discussion noted both the traffic study’s findings and the project’s financial structure. Felling and Koister told the commission the development’s financing and the RIF award are linked to the rezoning; Felling said the RIF funding is time‑sensitive. Commissioners also heard that setbacks were maximized in places — the developer cited a 65‑foot setback from the northern property line in one area — and were told the city would require site‑plan and engineering approvals before permits were issued.

The motion to approve the rezoning carried; the record shows two commissioners opposed the measure. The motion included standard contingencies staff recommended: future subdivision and site plan approval by the Department of Engineering, required stormwater and drainage approvals, fire department review and any traffic improvement plans developed from the city’s Eastside Development traffic study. The developer and city staff said additional specific engineering and permitting steps remain before construction could begin.

With the vote, the rezoning advances to the city council and remains subject to follow‑up approvals and the developer meeting the engineering, stormwater and fire‑safety conditions discussed at the meeting.