Compiled by Gus Pearcy
The Brownsburg Town Council met Oct. 28 for a regular meeting. All five members were present. The council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays each month at Brownsburg Town Hall, 61 N. Green St. Meetings are streamed live and archived at brownsburg.org. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
What happened: Council approved a Main Street Streetscape Vision Plan.
What it means: The council asked staff to work on a plan to improve Main Street from Green Street and East Northfield Drive. The design firm Anderson + Bohlander presented the plan. The 2-mile stretch breaks into three distinct sections including the downtown historic core, the strip mall area and the green area around Reagan Elementary. Presenter Josh Anderson said the town owns a 60-foot right of way along the corridor, which includes three 12-foot traffic lanes. The plan would boost sidewalks and tree lines along the corridor. In addition to more street lights and other common streetscape elements, the plan calls for a welcome sign near Northfield Drive.
The next steps would include coordinating with the Indiana Department of Transportation, financing and then full design to include the cost of these improvements. The Redevelopment Commission unanimously passed the plan.
What happened: The council passed the 2022 town and fire territory budget of more than $70 million. The vote was 4-1, with council member Brian Jessen opposed.
What it means: An amendment was offered by Jessen to move $729,000 of economic development income tax (EDIT) into the water fund for expenses and construction. The amendment died for lack of a second. The move would cost more than half of the EDIT funds.
There is $27 million in non-departmental funds. Interim co-town manager Al Geans said the funds come from economic development, bonds and other funds that are used to help the town meet its budget. Geans said the council agreed to put the coronavirus federal funds — over $6 million — toward water and wastewater infrastructure.
What happened: The council voted 4-1 to amend the zoning map from agriculture to medium-density multiple family residential for 84 townhomes on 13 acres in the 8500 block of East County Road 400 N. Council president Travis Tschaenn was opposed.
What it means: Olthof Homes is requesting the change in zoning to build the two-story and three-story townhomes which would cost $240,000-$260,000.
What happened: Council approved changing the zoning from agriculture to planned development for a 111-lot residential subdivision on 55 acres a half mile south of East Northfield Drive on the west side.
What it means: Pulte Homes is requesting the rezone for a development called the Promenade. It includes 25% of open space and pedestrian connections to the nearby B&O Trail to the south of the site. It includes several commitments to the neighbors in Holiday Pines for an enhanced tree line. The Brownsburg Plan Commission voted 5-1 in favor of the proposal with the commitments.
What happened: The council approved a general obligation bond issue for $5.5 million to cover various infrastructure projects including road improvements, sanitary sewer repairs, water mains and meter replacement on County Road 700 N and Main Street.
What it means: Council member Brian Jessen again tried to amend the resolution to cover only the water infrastructure projects listed. It died for lack of a second. The bond issue will make repairs to County Road 700 N, which would directly affect development in the area.
What happened: The council approved a property tax reduction for a 240,000 square foot spec building being built at U.S. 136 and West Northfield Drive.
What it means: The project will see a $12 million investment and possibly 50 jobs despite being in a TIF area.
What happened: The council denied a motion to support a request for a conditional rezone of 113 acres at 6225 East County Road 800 N for the proposed Winstead project.
What it means: The project would take place near a proposed Interstate 74 interchange or overpass, and much of the discussion was about a town staff meeting with INDOT. The earliest possible time frame for an overpass would be 2028, according to INDOT. The reasonably earliest time frame for an interchange at the same spot would be 2036-2038. Council members said the development was a quality development but there were too many questions about the location. The developer can revisit the rezoning again in a year. The denial meant that the annexation of the property was unable to be approved.
