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Council approves multiple rezonings and property vacations, including Chestnut Street and several rezones
Summary
The Common Council adopted several ordinances to vacate rights-of-way and approve rezonings across Evansville, including a Chestnut Street vacation for Bowen Engineering, multiple APC-recommended rezones for residential and commercial sites, and an amended Fulton Avenue rezoning that drew neighborhood concern but passed with use commitments.
At its Feb. 9 meeting the Evansville Common Council moved through a slate of land-use items certified by the Area Plan Commission, adopting several vacations and rezonings that affect residential, commercial and industrial properties across the city.
Ordinance G-2026-01 vacated part of a 60-foot right-of-way on Chestnut Street to allow Bowen Engineering to expand on-site parking. Scott Beadle of Cash Wagener & Associates said the firm coordinated with city departments and utilities and left necessary easements in place; the council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
The council adopted multiple APC-recommended rezonings brought forward with eight affirmative votes at APC: R-2025-31 (2923 Mount Vernon Ave) to R-3 to allow continued multifamily use; R-2025-32 (1521 & 1523 W. Missouri St) to R-2 to permit construction of a Habitat for Humanity single-family house; and R-2025-34 (North Burkhart Road) to M-2 to accommodate a State of Indiana roadside maintenance facility with use-and-development commitments and buffers to reduce neighborhood impacts.
Rezoning R-2025-33 (Fulton Avenue) drew the most public attention. Applicant Scott Beadle explained that the proposal to rezone a Fulton Avenue block to M-1 would allow a truck fabrication and refurbishing business; the filing amended the UDC to prohibit adult uses and large-scale recreational uses and limited structure height to 50 feet. Nearby residents raised concerns about noise, traffic and children's safety at a park across the street. The applicant said fabrication work would occur inside the building, storage would be fenced with an 8-foot opaque fence, and employees would use limited parking; councilors recommended the applicant meet with neighbors and the council adopted the amended rezoning after the discussion.
Another rezoning (R-2025-35) cleared the way for a veterinary clinic repurposing a medical office building on Professional Boulevard; the UDC removed boarding and certain other uses to address neighborhood concerns.
Councilors and applicants repeatedly referenced APC recommendations, use-and-development commitments (UDCs) and required utility easements. Where neighbors raised operational or safety concerns, applicants responded with site-review commitments and offers to meet after the council hearing.
Each ordinance was adopted by recorded roll call votes and will be effective per the city's adoption procedures. Councilors noted that rezonings often include UDCs and site-review conditions to limit impacts and that additional permits or BZA approvals may be required for specific uses.
Next steps: applicants will proceed through site review and development permitting consistent with the UDCs attached to their rezonings; staff and applicants were asked to follow up with neighborhood contacts when requested.
