The Crothersville Town Council sent a proposed housing addition back to the drawing board seeking larger lot sizes, when they met Tuesday, April 7.
Engineer Daniel Hartman representing Chase Murphy of CC Murphy LLC was told the proposed housing plan consisted of lots too small to meet the town’s ordinance.
CC Murphy is proposing to build a housing development on a 4.04 acre parcel on Crothersville’s north side.
The town’s ordinance calls for a minimum lot size of 6,200 square feet with 65’ of road frontage. Murphy’s housing plan seeks to put more homes on the acreage with lot sizes of 3,600 square feet and 40’ of road frontage.
None of the council members were excited with the plan.
“This would be a neighborhood of shotgun houses,” said councilman Jamy Greathouse. “It would look like a stick built trailer park.”
Council members acknowledged that they have approved smaller lot sizes in the past for special situations. The smallest road frontage lot previously approved was 55’
“You are seeking nearly half our required lot size and frontage,” said Greathouse.
Hartman acknowledged that that the smaller lot sizes would allow parking for only one vehicle and result with on-street parking for some families; another aspect of the plan which the council didn’t like.
Access to the housing development would be from Armstrong Street (US 31) and INDOT has yet to approve the access plan.
“We would love to see something on that vacant ground. But we need larger lot sizes,” said council president Terry Richey. “We can negotiate on some lot requirements but meeting just half won’t work.”
“Houses trying to be sold for $169,000-$179,000 with limited parking won’t fly,” added Greathouse.
The council advised Hartman to revise the housing plan and comeback for further consideration.