Evansville planning panel recommends approval of downzoning for a West Maryland Street house

The Area Plan Commission of Evansville and Vanderburgh County voted Sept. 5 to recommend that City Council approve a rezoning that would convert a parcel at or about 1407 West Maryland Street from M-3 to R-1.

The commission—s recommendation followed testimony from the petitioner—s representative, who said the property has long been used as a single-family residence and that bank financing is difficult without residential zoning. Opponents, including a neighbor identified only in the record as Mr. Hoppe, argued the single-lot downzoning could interrupt a largely industrial (M-3) strip and "hurt traffic control and future property tax, sales tax, and possible small factories," as Hoppe said during his testimony.

Commissioners pressed staff and speakers on several practical consequences of rezoning. Staff noted lenders often decline marketable residential mortgages on properties zoned M-3, which can make sales or refinances impractical unless zoning matches actual residential use. Petitioner representative Bob Dyg told the commission the house had been fixed up and put on the market in recent months and that the family sought the rezoning to allow a conventional sale and loan options.

After discussion, a motion to approve the downzoning received the necessary votes on a roll call of 10 yes, 0 no and 1 abstention; the commission directed that the record go forward as a recommendation for approval to the Evansville City Council.

The next procedural step is consideration by City Council, which is scheduled to hear city rezonings on Sept. 23, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.