Warrick County Area Planning Commission Votes 'Yes' On Controversial Apartment Proposal
By: Casie Mason
Updated: January 14, 2013
Emotion is still high in Warrick County tonight where parents are sounding off about a new apartment complex possibly being built across from Castle North Middle School. Tonight they voice those concerns to the Warrick County Area Planning Commission, who take a vote on it.
It was a packed house at tonight's meeting as parents and developers spoke to the committee, but the final decision was made in favor of the apartment proposal. Still some are staying optimistic, saying this is not the end of the fight. Tonight the Warrick County Area Planning Commission voted in favor for the proposal of a new apartment complex to be built across from Castle North Middle School. Several concerned residents voiced their opinions tonight along with the developers. "I don't' want to sound like I am being critical, but the fact of the matter is, we have complied with the requirements for the ordinance. We have done the appropriate traffic study. We have met all the criteria. We have laid out the information. We have before you a developer with a proved track record," said developers.
The area where developers want to build the new complex is zoned, so construction can begin with or without the residents or commission's approval. However, since the board voted in favor, this means they will have more say in the developers plans."Actually I am happy, that given the lesser of two evils, the planning commission did the right thing in approving the PUD because that is going to give them some more control. The apartments are going to go through whether we want them to or not from the developer. At least with this option the Warrick County Planning Commission can help some control over the process," says local attorney Rick Martin. "Like I said, I don't know if its the right choice. I hope it does give them more control and they are able to create a better more affective barrier between the apartment and the school," says concerned parent Amanda Strathmann. Despite tonight's decision some say they are not defeated yet. "In the end do I think that under the circumstances the Planning Committee made the right decision, I think they did. I cant fault the Plan Commission if they are going to build the complex anyway, at least the county has some control over it under those circumstances. It probably wont be the last of this."
It was a packed house at tonight's meeting as parents and developers spoke to the committee, but the final decision was made in favor of the apartment proposal. Still some are staying optimistic, saying this is not the end of the fight. Tonight the Warrick County Area Planning Commission voted in favor for the proposal of a new apartment complex to be built across from Castle North Middle School. Several concerned residents voiced their opinions tonight along with the developers. "I don't' want to sound like I am being critical, but the fact of the matter is, we have complied with the requirements for the ordinance. We have done the appropriate traffic study. We have met all the criteria. We have laid out the information. We have before you a developer with a proved track record," said developers.
The area where developers want to build the new complex is zoned, so construction can begin with or without the residents or commission's approval. However, since the board voted in favor, this means they will have more say in the developers plans."Actually I am happy, that given the lesser of two evils, the planning commission did the right thing in approving the PUD because that is going to give them some more control. The apartments are going to go through whether we want them to or not from the developer. At least with this option the Warrick County Planning Commission can help some control over the process," says local attorney Rick Martin. "Like I said, I don't know if its the right choice. I hope it does give them more control and they are able to create a better more affective barrier between the apartment and the school," says concerned parent Amanda Strathmann. Despite tonight's decision some say they are not defeated yet. "In the end do I think that under the circumstances the Planning Committee made the right decision, I think they did. I cant fault the Plan Commission if they are going to build the complex anyway, at least the county has some control over it under those circumstances. It probably wont be the last of this."
