Planners give 2 developers the green light

Two requests for change of zoning were approved last week by the Harrison County Advisory Plan Commission, giving developers of a subdivision and a retirement-type community the green light to proceed.
Both requests ‘ one by Frank X. Fey Sr. and Frank X. Fey Jr. and the other by Robert L. Hollis ‘ were tabled last month by the plan commission.
The Feys’ request is to rezone about 85 acres on Flatwood Road northwest of New Salisbury from A-R to R-1 so they can develop a subdivision. Lot sizes would be mostly one and two acres.
Jason Copperwaite, of Paul Primavera and Associates Engineers and Land Surveyors Inc. in Corydon, presented a letter from the Harrison County Highway Dept. stating that some improvements are to be made to Flatwood Road. The safety of the road was a hurdle in approving the request last month.
Charlie Crawford, who lives near the Fey property, said ‘I didn’t get enough information on that (proposed road improvements) to satisfy me,’ he said.
Harrison County Commissioner James Goldman, who represents that district, said there is a verbal agreement between the highway department and Gil Bezy, who developed Moore’s Landing subdivision, which is located on both sides of Flatwood Road, that indicated Bezy will pay for a portion of upgrading the road.
Crawford told Goldman that he appreciates the work that is to be done. ‘It’s a hazard,’ he said of the current road.
‘Will this be done this millennium or the next millennium?’ asked John Froning, who lives in the 200 block of Flatwood Road. ‘That road’s got to be improved … before any (more) houses get built … There are hills on there that are absolutely terrible.’
Copperwaite said the work is scheduled to be completed this year.
A motion by Carl (Buck) Mathes to approve the request passed 7-1 with Crawford casting the nay vote.
A change of zone request, from A-R to a PUD (Planned Unit Development), by Robert Hollis was unanimously approved Thursday night.
Since last month’s meeting, Hollis reduced the amount of the acreage, from 15.2 to just over 10 acres, that he wanted rezoned. The property is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of S.R. 62 and Gethsemane Road.
Hollis was to construct up to 18 duplexes for ‘a retirement-type community.’ The units would be one- and two-bedroom apartments with a carport on each end. A recreational facility with a basement would serve as a storm shelter.
Copperwaite made the presentation for Hollis. He said his client agreed to install a ‘passing blister’ on S.R. 62 to help with traffic flow at the entrance to the community.
‘I like the idea of what the people are trying to do …, ‘ said Mathes, ‘but the distance between the units concerns me.’
Plan commission members recalled how a fire a few years ago spread from one house to another in Homestead Manor in Corydon, where the houses were built close together. Wind was a factor also, they said.
‘We’re counting on you guys to make suggestions regarding safety for the people who will live there,’ Hollis said.
The duplexes are to be built according to code, staff members said, and the units will have carports attached on both ends, putting more distance between the living quarters.
The request to change the acreage from A-R to PUD passed unanimously.
Also at last week’s meeting, two special exception requests were given favorable recommendations.
The requests were made by Lee Creek for a Web design/computer business at 3320 Spring Branch Road east of New Salisbury and by Dr. Lawrence Warren to convert a garage into a small apartment on property at 6200 Satterfield Hill Road.
Both requests will be heard Feb. 24 by the Harrison County Board of Zoning Appeals. That meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Commissoners’ Room of the Harrison County Court House.