Olivia P. Tucker
Times Reporter
Austin City Council approved the rezoning of property on the city’s far westside for affordable housing at their regular meeting on November 12.
The Austin Advisory Plan Commission (APC) unanimously approved the zoning change with a favorable recommendation at their last meeting.
APC President Tony Stidham said that there were questions about layout, drainage, and utilities to Rauch, Inc. who plans to build 48 single-story duplexes and triplexes on 7 acres of land on West York Road.
Dan Lowe, CEO of Rauch, Inc told the council that there are houses located in Charlestown and that they are also currently working on a project in the city of Scottsburg. He added that Blue River Service and Rauch are in an alliance, sharing affordable housing in Salem, New Salisbury, Corydon and Palmyra.
“What we are trying to do is bring quality, affordable, well-maintained housing for the citizens of Austin,” said Lowe. We think that there is a strong need for affordable housing in Austin, and we are here to try and meet that need.”
Kelly Scott, housing director of Rauch, Inc highlighted that affordable housing doesn’t mean giving a grant to people who don’t work or sell drugs. She said that these houses will have people who pass a background check, credit check, and have a verifiable income to cover the rent.
She said that the project would cost $12 million and that they will work with local contractors and engineers to do the work that is needed.
Council member Joe Smith said that the city’s engineer David Ebernez didn’t have any concerns with the project that weren’t fixable.
Mayor Roger Hawkins said that he and Clerk-Treasurer Chris Fugate looked at the units at Palmyra to see a comparable housing to what it proposed for Austin.
“I couldn’t have been any more pleased with what I saw,” said Hawkins, “As long as these places are maintained as well as those. They are over 15 years old and they’re really well cared for.”
City council member now county treasurer-elect Ryan Gabbard, who voted against the re-zoning, said that the decision had been a toss-up for him, but he had some concerns about the location being bad.
“I do think it would be nice,” said Gabbard, “but I just think the area for me, I just don’t think it’s a good area. We want to show off something nice, I hate the fact that I have to drive over across town to see something that nice.”
Gabbard added that single-family homes would be better to accommodate the needs of Austin with rental properties being 70% of the homes.
The council voted 2-1 to the approval of the zoning change with Gabbard opposing, Trevor McIntosh abstained and Brandon White not present during the vote.