Planning commission rejects Templar Development’s Old National rezoning and future‑land‑use change

The Planning Commission voted to deny both a rezoning and a requested future‑land‑use amendment from Templar Development on April 16, recommending against conversion of a C‑1 (Limited Commercial) parcel on Old National Highway to TR (Townhouse Residential) and against changing the land‑use designation from Regional Live Work to Suburban Neighborhood 2.

The applicant, represented by Michelle Battle of Battle Law and developer Jay Knight, proposed townhomes to provide fee‑simple ownership opportunities near Greater Victory Church and to align with interest from church members who wanted walkable housing. Battle described design elements, setbacks and landscaping intended to meet the Old National overlay standards and said units would be “24 foot wide” with two‑car garages and price points “in the low 300s.”

Opponents and several commissioners argued that Old National Highway is a major commercial corridor and that a downsizing of the land‑use designation would forfeit long‑term commercial and economic development potential. Resident Tia Hudson said the corridor “represents a prime opportunity for commercial revitalization, not residential saturation.” Other opponents warned that piecemeal land‑use changes would erode a coherent commercial strategy for the corridor.

Planning staff recommended denial of the land‑use amendment and also recommended denial of the rezoning. Commissioners first voted to deny the rezoning from C‑1 to TR and then separately denied the requested future‑land‑use amendment. In discussion staff and applicants noted the church’s interest in selling a parcel to help fund a new place of worship, but commissioners emphasized adherence to the long‑range plan for the corridor.