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Plan commission backs rezoning for 137-unit Colonial Garden Road proposal with buffer condition
Summary
The Area Plan Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request to allow a 137-unit multifamily project on land owned by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, requiring developers to add a tree buffer and update the UDC; staff said a traffic impact study and roadway improvements will be required.
The Area Plan Commission of Evansville and Vanderburgh County on July 3 recommended approval to city council of a rezoning request that would allow construction of a new 137-unit multifamily development at 2719 Colonial Garden Road. The site is owned by the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the petitioner filed a placeholder use-and-development commitment (UDC) that at filing only prohibited adult uses. The commission’s recommendation was conditioned on the applicant adding neighborhood protections — specifically a tree buffer — and updating the UDC before the matter moves to city council.
Why it matters: The proposed R-5 rezoning would convert a vacant parcel adjacent to single-family neighborhoods into higher-density multifamily use. Staff and commissioners flagged traffic and infrastructure impacts: the project will require a traffic impact study and likely reconstruction or upgrades of nearby roads (Colonial Garden Road and Mimosa Drive) to meet access management and engineering standards.
What presenters said: Krista Lock, representing the petitioner, said the Eagles had subdivided property and engaged a development team to pursue low-income tax-credit financing. “This rezoning is in preparation to make the application at the state in July,” Lock said, adding that the project team planned a tree buffer and fencing to address neighbor concerns. Lock also said the proposed site entry would use the existing curb cut onto Old Boonville Highway and that no new ingress/egress onto Colonial Garden Road or Mimosa Drive was proposed.
Staff and engineers told the commission that a traffic impact study is required because of the projected number of trips generated by the development; access will need to comply with the Board of Public Works’ access management manual and the county drainage code. Commissioners asked detailed questions about buffers, existing trees, building height (the conceptual design shows up to five stories), and whether the Eagles building on the adjoining lot would remain. Petitioner representatives said the Eagles building would remain in use as the club.
The commission voted 8–0 to recommend approval to city council with the condition the applicant include a tree buffer in the UDC and provide updated UDC language to staff before the council hearing. Staff said it will circulate PDF copies of the project drawings to the commission office.
Next steps: The rezoning will go to city council for a public hearing and final decision. The project team will also be required to complete the traffic impact study and coordinate any roadway improvements with the city engineer and the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
