Z-09-05 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of New Albany, Indiana, Title XV, Chapter 156, (Docket P-02-09; Fairway Developers d/b/a The Charleston’s LLC, by Gary McCartin). Gahan 2&3
Gahan proposes it for the 2nd reading only, although he reserves the right to change his mind.
Zurschmiede: Voted against previous ones. Each time he applied his own personal “sitting in my deck chair” standard to the project. Each time it didn’t fly. KZ built a home for his own dad right there on Lafayette, but his dad lives in Florida next to low income housing. KZ lives downtown. He’s never had an issue with White Castle in his backyard. As real estate broker, he vigorously defends abandoned restaurant properties as part of the game we all play. What’s going to happen to the remainder of the property. Plan Commission has the final word.
NOTE: Messer absent. 5-4 against last time. If benedetti recuses as she should … otherwise, this is destined to be tied tonight. If it is, it doesn;t pass, right? So … Gahan could call for the third reading tonight.
Price: “Some times to get knowledge, you have to ask questions.” No dog in this hunt, but he produces a drainage map. Mutters about EPA problems. The development area is the second most important drainage target area. Folksy babbling. Upholds the drainage problems in the area. Says it is a major fix, requiring much money. Stevie has big problems with basement water.
Disjointed? You need to be here to understand how disjointed Price can be when required to string thoughts together.
After considering the drainage issues … “facts” … he has a big problem with the proposal. Major runoff problem already, and will get much worse.
Gahan: People here, he can vouch for their reasonableness. They keep being required to come here. 12 votes in 19 months on the plot. Many supported the original funeral home idea. No calls about the hospital, either.
How did Coffey vote on that one?
Big difference between a restaurant and a hospital or funeral home. “Isn’t necessarily a development at all … a rezoning fast track … to accommodate speculators.” We should not continue to put them through this.
Coffey: Plan Commission sets the timetable, we don’t.
Roll call, 2nd reading:
Yes
Caesar
Benedetti
Zurschmiede
Coffey
No
Price
McLaughlin
Gahan
Gonder
Gahan: Messer gone, but we know how he would vote, so we’ll throw it out for a 4-4 vote that will KILL IT.
All I can say: Power move on the part of Gahan. Absolutely. He makes this entirely about the people who “bought those homes.”
Gonder: Echoes Gahan. The fight is fought on uneven ground when the citizens have to defend so often. Developers “trying to make a buck.” Not a “valuable addition” to the commerce of the city. Should raise an issue about incentives for developers to redevelop and not develop green space?
THAT’s MY MAN!
Price: A “lesson for New Albany.” We haven’t protected our infrastructure. Money goes to salaries and not stuff! We need to be good stewards.
Coffey: I hope that you remember this when they come i my area and TAKE homes.
Roll call, 3rd reading.
Yes
Caesar
Benedetti
Zurschmiede
Coffey
No
Price
McLaughlin
Gahan
Gonder
Tie again … defeated.
