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Council approves rezoning for proposed 137-unit apartment near Old Boonville Highway
Summary
The council adopted an amended rezoning to R-5 for a parcel formerly part of Fraternal Order of Eagles property to allow a proposed 137-unit multifamily development; the approval included UDC-linked development commitments and required a traffic study and infrastructure upgrades.
The Evansville Common Council on July 14 adopted an amended rezoning ordinance, R 2025-15, to rezone property north of Old Boonville Highway for a proposed multifamily development of approximately 137 units.
Cassie Virgin of the Area Plan Commission summarized APC docket REZ-2025-022 and said the site lies at the edge of a predominantly single-family residential area and that the 2035 future land use map recommends commercial use. APC recommended approval with conditions — notably an amended Unified Development Code (UDC) adding buffer requirements.
Kristin Lockyer, representing the petitioner, said the site had been split from the Fraternal Order of Eagles property and that the Eagles intend to retain their meeting hall while allowing the new development. Lockyer said access will use the Eagles’ existing parking lot and Old Boonville Highway "to mitigate the concerns" about access on narrow Colonial Garden Road and Mimosa Drive. She described amended use commitments that include a tree buffer along the north and east property lines, a detention pond and walking trail, fencing along the east property line, and sharing contact information with neighboring property owners.
APC and staff flagged that because of the development size and projected vehicle trips, a traffic impact study will be required by the Evansville MPO and city engineer; the engineer has indicated infrastructure reconstruction or upgrades will likely be necessary per state and local standards. The petitioner filed an amended UDC on July 8 including the buffer and other commitments.
Councilors recorded one abstention: a councilor said on the record they are a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and abstained from the vote. The final tally was eight ayes and one abstention. The ordinance was declared adopted.
Council and APC comments noted that development commitments on similar nearby rezonings were used as a model for this UDC revision. Implementation steps noted in the hearing include completion of the traffic study and addressing infrastructure upgrades prior to building permits.
