Whitestown planners recommend allowing mulch front yards for Prairie Chase townhomes

The Town of Whitestown Planning Commission voted 7-0 to issue a favorable recommendation to Town Council on a text amendment that would remove a prior commitment requiring irrigated front lawns at the Prairie Chase North townhome development.

The amendment request, presented August 11 by petitioner Brian Tuohy on behalf of the prospective buyer and developer, asked that the previously recorded commitment requiring irrigated front yards be changed so the townhomes could have landscaped mulch beds with shrubs and trees instead of turf. "We would respectfully request that we be allowed to remove that commitment to irrigate a lawn that's not gonna be a grass lawn," Tuohy told the commission.

Commission staff told the commission the property was rezoned to R-4 in 2022 and is surrounded primarily by residential districts. The staff report noted the proposed low-maintenance landscaping has been used in nearby Trailside and Jackson Run and highlighted a UDO maintenance provision requiring replacement if plantings die. "So based on the facts of the case, staff is recommending a favorable recommendation to the town council," a staff member said during the hearing.

Tuohy said the prospective institutional buyer prefers mulch and shrub beds because the small front-yard footprints would make irrigation systems expensive to install and maintain, and the landscaped beds would reduce water use. He said a neighborhood meeting on August 5 drew three neighbors and that nearby communities with similar landscaping have "been well received."

Commissioners asked only clarifying questions, including whether the change applied only to the townhome portion (not the adjacent duplexes); Tuohy confirmed it applied only to the townhome area. One commissioner suggested the petitioner consider rock rather than mulch for long-term durability; Tuohy said he would relay that suggestion to the buyer. The petitioner agreed to provide any maintenance plan the buyer may have if the commission requests it.

Following discussion, a commissioner moved and a second was recorded; the motion for a favorable recommendation for PC-25-047-TA passed unanimously, 7-0.

The commission's favorable recommendation now goes to Town Council for final action. The staff report referenced UDO maintenance standards and recommended approval to council.

Votes at a glance: PC-25-047-TA (Prairie Chase text amendment) — Motion for favorable recommendation to Town Council; vote 7-0 to approve the recommendation.