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Council adopts rezoning for Southern Homes development in Tarrytown; park assurances to be formalized
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Summary
The council adopted Special Ordinance 47-20-25 to rezone the former Tarrytown baseball site at 1801 Boston Ave for a Southern Homes development; councilmembers pressed for a written MOU to secure a promised city park and discussed infrastructure bonding and tracking to ensure sidewalks and streets are built to spec.
The Terre Haute City Council on Jan. 8 adopted Special Ordinance 47-20-25, approving a rezoning petition from Southern Homes LLC for property at 1801 Boston Avenue (the former Tarrytown baseball site).
Richard Shaglin, attorney for Southern Homes LLC, described a plan that originally showed 88 lots with four lots set aside as a city park and the remainder for residential development. "This is going to be a phenomenal addition to our community," Shaglin said, noting the developer has completed nearby projects and envisions affordable, family-oriented housing within walking distance of an elementary school.
Council discussion focused on two main issues: (1) how the city will secure the developer’s commitment to provide park land, and (2) how the city will ensure new streets and sidewalks are built to municipal standards before infrastructure is turned over to the city. Councilmembers asked whether park language should be included in the rezoning ordinance; staff and the petitioner said the parties plan to document the park with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the developer. Shaglin said he had "no reason to believe it wouldn't happen," and the mayor had been involved in conversations to support that outcome.
City staff member Marcus described ongoing work on bonding requirements and a new tracking system to monitor subdivision completion and reduce the risk of unfinished infrastructure. Marcus said the city is exploring "technology to help track a subdivision from this point all the way through completion" and is seeking ways to tighten bond and deadline requirements without discouraging development.
Some nearby residents raised concerns at the area planning meeting about the park’s proposed location and the property’s acquisition through foreclosure; Shaglin said the acquisition was through public sale by foreclosure and that Southern Homes aims to be a long-term community partner. Council members said they would pursue an MOU and other written assurances to define park size and responsibilities.
Councilperson Loudermilk moved to take action and later moved for final approval; the council adopted the ordinance by voice vote. The transcript records the adoption but does not include a roll-call tally. Implementation details — including the MOU securing park land, bonding terms, and engineering approvals for sidewalks and streets — were left to follow-up between the city and the developer.
