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Council adopts ordinance setting 3,000-foot separation for new residential recovery homes
Summary
The Evansville Common Council on July 14 adopted Ordinance G2025-11 to regulate the location and density of new residential recovery facilities, establishing a 3,000-foot separation for new facilities and clarifying that the rule does not apply retroactively to existing programs.
The Evansville Common Council adopted Ordinance G2025-11 on July 14, 2025, establishing rules for the siting and density of new residential recovery facilities, including a 3,000-foot separation requirement for newly proposed facilities.
Councilwoman Carruthers, who introduced the ordinance, said the measure is intended to address density and clarify an existing gap in the city code: "This is now for these new facilities coming," she said, adding that the distance requirement is for future zoning reviews and will not force existing facilities to close. Several council members and speakers said the ordinance is the product of meetings with the Area Plan Commission, legal counsel and community stakeholders.
The ordinance sets a 3,000-foot separation standard for new recovery facilities seeking zoning approval; the council discussed that an average city block is approximately 315 feet, making the separation roughly nine and a half blocks. Supporters at the meeting said the measure aims to balance neighborhood stability with the needs of those in recovery. Resident Shauna Jarbo said she appreciated the protections the ordinance would provide for neighborhoods in the city's South Center sector. Angie Bullock, a local real estate broker, said she supports recovery programs but is concerned about clustering of facilities and potential effects on property values.
Council members emphasized that the ordinance also clarifies how the city will define and regulate these facilities going forward and that oversight and governing standards are part of the change. The council president called for the roll and the clerk declared Ordinance G2025-11 adopted.
The ordinance passed on second reading and will be incorporated into the municipal code as described in the ordinance text. The record at the meeting shows the item moved to a vote and the clerk declaring it adopted; the transcript does not list a complete roll-call tally for this item in the public portion of the record provided.
