Ellettsville poised to build 250 homes on undeveloped plot
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The amount of development Ellettsville has wrangled in the past few years has earned the unofficial title of a modern-day boom town. Now, the growing Monroe County town is set to build 250 new houses on its west side along State Road 46.
The Ellettsville Plan Commission on Thursday recommended rezoning an agriculturally-focused plot, measuring 115 acres, after local real estate broker and developer Chris Smith announced plans for a project populating the area with townhomes, single-family homes, a grocery store and other businesses.
The land is undeveloped and largely used as a pasture for a family farm.
The commission said the development is welcomed since it follows the town’s new comprehensive plan and could serve as a village hub. The commission unanimously passed the rezoning request.
“The change in zoning of this parcel from Agricultural-2 to Commercial-3 is already well covered in the Ellettsville Comprehensive Plan as this area of Ellettsville is designated to accommodate a Mixed-Use Village Center,” the legislative packet read. “The zoning of Commerical-3 is the best avenue for development of a Mixed-Use Village Center under the current Town Code.”
Smith said the town’s plan was used as a launching pad for planning this development. He and the town plan to work with the Indiana Department of Transportation to create new roads and other tweaks, as well as Ellettsville-based Smithville for broadband service. There is also talk of adding a fire station and setting aside land for a park.
The business development could look like a smaller downtown development, Smith said, and he hopes businesses grow into the new district organically. The development would look like a traditional neighborhood with the business sector focused in one area.
Members of the community in public comment and on social media were generally supportive of the proposal and the way development is being planned in the town. Some concerns include whether the school district can handle the number of children added through the new housing and how the environmental change will affect the watershed as flooding has been a destructive and significant issue in the community.
The zoning request now goes to the town council for approval at its Monday meeting. If rezoning is approved, the developer must return to the commission for any building plans or changes.
If all goes well, construction could begin next year, meaning the first new homeowners could move in in spring 2025.