by Olivia P. Tucker
Times Reporter
A proposed housing development on the city’s north side will not happen after action Jan. 23 by the Scottsburg City Council to not re-zone the former Scott County State Bank property at 1050 North Gardner Street.
The nearly 5.8 acre property is owned by James L. Puckett of Columbus.
Kelly Scott, director of housing for the developer, Rauch Inc., told the council the housing would be a mixture of duplexes and fourplexes for low income families. She said that the housing would be income based and that all residents would have to have an income. “That income can be from social security or a job, but the rent would be affordable,” she said.
However, there was concern about the drainage in that area.
Mayor Terry Amick said that the city had all kinds of issues with Rauch’s stormwater plan.
That sentiment was echoed by three councilmen.
Council member Bill Hougland said he was “still concerned with what is going to happen with the drainage. Where it was going to end up if the structures were to be built?”
“Nothing is going to change my mind,” Councilman Ric Manns said to Scott about his decision against the change. He said he was skeptical before the ideas were presented but was more so after he heard the proposal.
Councilman Christian Evans said the property is zoned for general business but the drainage issue is an issue outside of the project.
Manns added. “Drainage is going to be a problem no matter what.”
The three voting against the project to have the zoning changed stopped the project at the first reading.