It was a months long negotiation but a housing development proposed for a 4 acre parcel on Crothersville’s northside was unanimously approved by the town council at their August 4 meeting.
Chase Murphy, a developer from Floyds Knobs, had originally approached the council in April seeking approval to build a 40 unit single family housing development at the site on the east side of US 31.
Murphy was seeking approval for lot sizes of 3,600 square feet with 40 feet of road frontage. The council was cool to the plans as local ordinance calls for a minimum lot size of 6,200 square feet with 65 feet of road frontage.
At that April meeting councilman Jamy Greathouse commented, “This would be a neighborhood of shotgun houses. It would look like a stick built trailer park.”
The council recommended Murphy increase the sizes of his proposed building lots and come back for approval.
He returned to the council in May and June meetings with changes that the council warmed to but still sought additional negotiations in lot size.
At their Aug. 4 council meeting, Murphy proposed a 22 lot development with access to the development off US 31 (Armstrong Street).
With few questions, the council unanimously approved Murphy’s most recent design plans.
“We appreciate you working with us throughout this process,” council president Terry Richey said to Murphy.
“When do you hope to get started?” asked Councilman Chad Wilson.
“Right now, I don’t know,” responded Murphy. “It’s the wrong time of year to be starting. I had hoped to have the roads in by now but we’re not there.”
In other matters, the council approved the hiring of Cy Moss as a new police officer for the town. Moss is a graduate of the police academy and has police instruction certificates that qualify him to train other local officers. He previously worked at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and has been an officer with the Seymour Police Department for nearly four years. He and his wife, Amberly, have three children.
The council approved the voluntary annexation of 40 acres owned by Greg & Angela Hoevener in the 6000 block of S. County Road 1025 E (Bethany Road) southwest of Crothersville paving the way for another housing development. A public hearing on the annexation matter will be held at the town council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
In a final matter the council approved a 4% wage/salary increase for town employees for 2027, noting that the elected council and clerk-treasurer positions are not considered town employees.
