MEETING: New Palestine Plan Commission & Town Council
Date: 11-4-26
Recorder: Cathy Cooper
BACKGROUND: Plan Commission
Possible subdivision on Bittner Road south of town has been proposed. (LOI only, no purchase of land.) This would require annexation of land.
HEA 1001
The state has shifted responsibility of increasing affordable housing on local governments.
Tonight’s public hearing on HEA 1001 is meeting the requirement to hold a public hearing and to review its ordinances to increase affordable housing. It does not mandate that changes be implemented to lower standards in the ordinances.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT AGENDA ITEMS AND KEY POINTS: Plan Commission
Public hearing on HEA 1001 comprised most of the meeting.
Town attorney presented nine factors local government is to consider in reviewing their ordinances to facilitate construction of affordable housing.
Public comments were in opposition:
· Traffic concerns
· Undesirable people moving to county
· Too many rentals
· Loss of farmland
Commission’s response:
· No interest in lowering standards
· Meeting requirements to hold public hearing
· Growth is inevitable so it is best to control that growth
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT AGENDA ITEMS AND KEY POINTS: Town Council
Town Council immediately followed.
· Engineering firm for wastewater treatment plant gave a progress update. Completion date unchanged at 11-23-26
· Food Truck licensing is now the responsibility of the state. Amendments made to town’s Food Truck Ordinance to reflect this change.
· Legal update on code violations of Speedway Gas Station on Main St. Violations have not been addressed and there has been no response to town’s communications. Action: Initiate $300 per day fines.
· Department Reports
o Street commissioner reports that the town did not receive Community Crossings Grant, which is 80/20 % match. Will reapply in the future
o 20-year-old truck will be replaced
ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS, NOTES, FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
“Chat with council members” on Friday 11-6 8am-9am at Tia’s.
