Council approves rezoning of two IvyTech parcels for multi‑family housing after heated resident hearing

The Peru City Council voted to rezone two city‑owned parcels tied to IvyTech for multi‑family housing after an extended public hearing in which nearby residents raised concerns about notice, parking and pedestrian safety.

The council considered Ordinance 6‑2026 (366 W. 3rd Street) and Ordinance 7‑2026 (425 W. Main Street) after the planning commission forwarded both with favorable recommendations. Several neighbors told the council they had not received clear notice about the project and described traffic and on‑street parking problems in the area. Multiple speakers said the scale of the proposed redevelopment — described by the developer as senior/affordable housing with multiple units — would change parking dynamics and pedestrian flows on adjacent streets.

Danell Beaverstein of Keller Development, the developer on the project, told the council the project provides 60 on‑site parking spaces and on‑site property management to handle day‑to‑day parking and neighbor issues. "We have on‑site property management. So you can complain to them and they will take care of the issue," Beaverstein said, adding that the developer had worked with funding programs and expects state tax‑credit processes to determine some program details.

Residents pressed the council on notification procedures and argued the mailed notices referenced the IvyTech building but contained a typographical error on the street direction, which some said contributed to confusion. City staff said the notice process followed Indiana Code for adjacent property notification and a newspaper posting was published; the council debated whether broader outreach would have been appropriate.

After discussion the council voted on the ordinances separately. The record shows roll‑call votes were taken on each ordinance; Council adopted both rezoning ordinances (see actions and vote records). The decisions clear the way for the developer to pursue funding and final development approvals, but several councilmembers and neighbors asked for added attention to parking management, pedestrian safety near the intersection, and final building plans before construction permits are issued.

Next procedural steps: the developer will finalize construction plans and pursue applicable funding rounds (the council heard the developer has not yet received tax‑credit allocations and that final awards will be announced later this year). Councilmembers asked planning staff to monitor traffic and safety issues and to coordinate any necessary road improvements or pedestrian safety measures when the developer applies for development plan approval.