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Commissioners approve Riverbend Townhomes rezoning over strong Middlebury opposition
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing in which residents cited traffic, safety for buggies and schools, and concerns about subsidized housing language in Middlebury's 2030 plan, the Elkhart County commissioners voted 2-1 on April 20 to approve primary approval and a zone map change for the Riverbend Townhomes project (112 units).
The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 on April 20 to approve a zone map change and primary approval for the Riverbend Townhomes development near County Road 165 and County Road 116 in Middlebury Township, despite extended public opposition and repeated questions about traffic, sewer capacity and whether the project could later receive subsidies.
Planning staff and the developer said the current proposal has been reduced from an original 152-unit plan to 112 units in 12 buildings, with 248 parking spaces (including 12 designated handicap spaces) and roughly 7 acres of open space on an 11.5-acre site. Zoning administrator Jason Veil told commissioners the plan received a unanimous recommendation from the plan commission and that the development team revised the project in response to neighbor concerns.
Developer Marlon Schwartz said the team "reduced down to the 1 12" to be a better neighbor and emphasized the project is intended to be market-rate…
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