JEFFERSONVILLE — With commercial development coming to East 10th Street, residential development is quick to follow.
The Jeffersonville City Council approved rezoning vacant land off Holmans Lane near 10th Street for a new high-end apartment complex. The vote during Monday's meeting was unanimous. Councilwoman Callie Jahn was absent.
The expected 245-unit complex would be located on Peach Blossom Drive, less than a mile south on 10th Street from two new commercial developments across the street from each other.
"If we were going to place apartments in Jeffersonville, I think that would be a good place to do it," Councilman Scottie Maples said.
The Jeffersonville Plan Commission voted to favorably recommend the zoning change to high density multifamily during its last meeting.
Councilman Scott Hawkins, also a member of the plan commission, said units would charge around $1,000 a month for rent and contain stainless steel appliances and granite counters.
Some Jeffersonville residents expressed concern at the plan commission meeting that the complex would create traffic congestion.
Work to widen Thompson Lane and install a traffic signal is almost finished, Planning and Zoning Director Nathan Pruitt said.
"So that's going to relieve a lot of the potential congestion," he said.
Developers still need approval from the plan commission on a development plan, which will show exactly what would be built. The complex would be the first new apartments in Jeffersonville in a few years.
'NO' TO STORAGE UNITS
The council unanimously denied a rezoning request for Storage Express to build at least 100 storage units near Allison Lane and Middle Road.
"I'm standing strong on this, not supporting it," said Councilwoman Lisa Gill, who was concerned the business would contribute to flooding issues in the area.
Several council members said they received messages and calls from constituents opposing the rezoning of the vacant land for the use of storage units.
"I had no one contact me in favor," Councilman Nathan Samuel said.
About three years ago, a company requested the same rezoning for storage units. The council voted unanimously against the proposal at the time.
Councilman Josh Rodriquez, who was a member of the plan commission at that time, said the board believed "storage units should probably go in an industrial type environment, not within close proximity to neighborhoods."
Mayor Mike Moore spoke in opposition of the rezoning request.