A planned 24-lot housing development in Crothersville on a 4.04 acres parcel hit a snag last Tuesday with the local town council.
Chase Murphy of CC Murphy LLC presented his plans to develop a new housing subdivision at 501 N. Armstrong (US 31) on the town’s northside. But while the concept was acceptable, the plans ran into a problem.
Lot sizes have only 40 feet of frontage while the town’s building ordinance calls for 66 feet. Additionally Murphy planned for the entrance to the subdivision to be off of East Walnut Street on an unimproved section of North Vine Street. However, a few years ago the town closed that portion of the street splitting the property between the two adjoining homeowners.
“Obviously, my engineer did not do his due diligence in creating this plan,” Murphy said, “Be assured I’ll be talking with him on my way home after this meeting.”
“Could you not have an entrance off US 31?” asked council president Terry Richey.
“That’s a state highway and dealing with INDOT can be problematic and expensive,” said Murphy.
When questioned about the lot size, Murphy told the council that from his building experience in other communities, current day homebuyers are seeking less yard to mow and maintain.
While the council seemed agreeable to approving the smaller lot size, they declined to give their approval to the plans until the subdivision entrance issue is addressed. Murphy was told to amend his plans and return for consideration to approve.
In another housing request, Mary Jenkins of Vallonia was given approval to place a tiny house for sleeping at the rear of he daughter’s home at 313 Mill Street. Jenkins said babysits for her daughter, Anna Engle, and sometimes it is difficult for her to return to Vallonia when the river floods roadways.
“There would be no water or sewer needed as I would just be sleeping there at times,” she said. “I need some privacy from the grandkids.”
Since Engle owns a double lot the council approved placing a tiny home on the property.
In other business, the council approved an upgrade to the town utilities online accounting system at a cost of just under $50,000.
“At conference, other clerk-treasurers recommended the program that Boyce offers,” said clerk-treasurer Danita Foster. “Other companies don’t offer the same service that Boyce does.”
Council president Richey agreed. “I used this program before I retired from the school (as school treasurer) and I have no doubt that this is the best program available,” she said, “I am good with this.”
The council approved the upgrade by a 4-1 vote with Jamy Greathouse casting the dissenting vote.
The council approved the Crothersville Police Pension Board’s recommendation to hire Sam Hughes as a fifth police officer at a salary of $58,000 per year. Hughes, a Crothersville native, has had seven years policing experience with the Brownstown and Seymour Police Departments and most recently worked at the Indianapolis Police Department. The council unanimously approved the hiring.
In other business, the council approved appointing Ron Foster to the town’s Unsafe Building Hearing Board.