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Thorntown delays Unified Development Ordinance after debate over minimum home size and character
Summary
During a public hearing on the Unified Development Ordinance, planning consultant Marcellus Johnson and citizens debated minimum dwelling square footage, manufactured‑home rules and whether a refreshed Comprehensive Plan or later architectural standards are the right tool; the council voted to postpone the UDO.
The Town of Thorntown Town Council postponed a vote on the proposed Unified Development Ordinance (Ordinance 2026‑04) after a public hearing March 2 that centered on minimum dwelling sizes, manufactured‑home standards and the town’s character.
Marcellus Johnson of MS Consultants, speaking on behalf of the town planning commission, presented staff materials including a memorandum showing examples of already‑built smaller homes and an illustrative exhibit of architectural variety among smaller single‑family houses. Johnson explained the draft UDO’s variance process, said the draft limits manufactured homes to the high‑density residential district, and noted newly manufactured homes in the draft must be at least 18 feet wide (effectively double‑wide). He also clarified that HUD treats recreational vehicles as vehicles, not dwellings, so RVs are not covered by HUD dwelling standards.
Citizen George Giden urged the council to retain a 1,200 square‑foot minimum on new dwellings, saying larger minimums have been used to discourage replacement of conventional homes with trailers and to protect the tax base. "I would like to see the town maintain the minimum square footage of 1,200 square feet," he said. Council Member Randy Bruder responded that the town already contains homes under 1,200 sq ft and he was reluctant to deny families the option to build smaller homes. Council Vice President Bruce Burtner asked whether an empty, untaxed lot would be preferable to accepting a smaller house that would produce some tax revenue. Council President Dave Williams indicated disagreement among council members and suggested considering different standards on major incoming roads (State Road 47 and State Road 75).
A resident requested a zoning‑map change for 202 W. Plum St. (from Public & Community to Business). Marcellus recommended that questions about town character be addressed through an updated Comprehensive Plan and noted architectural standards could be adopted later if the council desires. After the hearing, Dave Williams moved to postpone action on the UDO to allow further review; Randy Bruder seconded and the motion passed 5‑0.
Next steps: staff and consultants will review dwelling‑size language and the zoning map request for future council consideration.
