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ETNA GREEN - Despite opposition from at least one resident and concern from a few others, the Etna Green Town Council on Tuesday approved a petition for annexation of a proposed housing development.
A hearing on the petition took place during the council's regular monthly meeting. A discussion included a list of questions submitted by resident Jerry Richardson, who was concerned with such things as the impact of the additional residences onthe town's water and wastewater capacities, added streets, more children in town and lack of police protection.
Garry and Becky Baker are hoping to turn the former Mellott farm off CR 1050W (Walnut Street) into "Windridge" subdivision. The property is located south of town limits, just beyond Heritage Park. Of the 63 acres in the land to be annexed, 38 are expected to be developed over a period of time, with about seven lots to be included in the initial development.
Along with the acceptance of the annexation petition, the council approved agreements noting that the town will pay the expense of extending electric service to the area and the developer will bear the cost of the water and sewer extensions.
If all of the lots are developed - Garry Baker said the time frame for completion would be about 20 years - there will be 70 new homes on the town's tax roll.
Richardson said this concerns him not only because that seems like a lot of homes on 38 acres, but also because it will be a burden to the town, with increased traffic on the streets, more kids in the park and school system and added costs because of expansion needs of the wastewater treatment plant.
However, council president Andy Cook said the town is undertaking both water and wastewater projects at this time and both this development and the houses being built around the pond at the former gravel pit were anticipated in the projected sizes.
In fact, the council learned Tuesday that the necessary permits are ready to be submitted and the bond sale is about to get under way for the water project. Bids will be opened at the January meeting.
Regardless whether the Bakers' development moves forward, Cook said, the water and sewer projects would still be necessary.
"We went into operation at 106 percent capacity day one," Cook said of the current wastewater treatment plant.
Cook said he wanted to stress the fact that this annexation will increase the town's tax base and bring additional funds in for streets and other areas.
"People aren't just going to move there unless they have a job or something that draws them to the area," the Bakers' attorney, Dave Holmes of Bremen, told the handful of citizens at the meeting. "I think they're offering something to you."
At the close of the meeting (which was necessitated when councilman Keith Robbins had to leave shortly after 7 p.m. because his exit, in the absence of councilman Russell "Pete" Miller, left the council without quorum) Cook asked Richardson whether all his questions were answered. Richardson said his questions were answered, but "I don't agree with all the answers."
"We're not here to agree," Cook said, "we're here to inform. If we all agreed, it would be too easy."
