TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — An amended special ordinance was passed on Thursday by Terre Haute City Council that rezoned property in the city’s Farrington Grove neighborhood for use by local recovery nonprofit the Next Step Foundation.
The property, located at 619 Washington Ave., is a lot near a historic church Next Step currently operates out of. The organization proposed at the meeting to construct a building on the lot for use as an office space and meeting area and rezoning of the property was approved in a split vote by the city council.
Before final approval, Next Step’s proposal was amended twice to accommodate concerns from community members, councilmembers and neighborhood residents. Originally, Next Step proposed to build housing on the lot for 20 pregnant women. An amendment changing the proposed building to expanded office space was presented and approved Thursday night.
Over eight people expressed their opposition to the rezoning at the meeting Thursday, many of them residents of Farrington Groves, with others attending in support. Concerns voiced to city council included lack of communication between Next Step and the neighborhood organization, the constant rezoning of an area once envisioned as strictly residential and the effect Next Step’s expansion would have on the neighborhood’s historical status.
Those in recovery who have been members of Next Step were also in attendance, although the only Next Step employee or member to speak was Executive Director Dana Simons. During the meeting, Simons was asked by a councilmember whether Next Step had any other options besides the proposed rezoning and expansion.
“No,” Simons said before taking a seat.
According to Simons, the rezoning is necessary because of Next Step’s recent growth. Since 2012, Next Step has grown from 15 to 45 members and three to 15 employees.
“We need more space,” she said. “We need to have more room for our mental health counselors to have one on one sessions, right now they are doubled up. It’s been hard to do what we’re doing in the space we have right now. We didn’t plan to grow, we just wanted to help.”
Simons also said that the Farrington Groves area is ideal for the organization because of its access to public transportation and walkable jobs. However, those opposed to the rezoning argued that the area is historic and should be preserved as residential only.
Multiple members of Farrington’s Grove Historical District spoke to councilmembers saying they felt unheard and that as residents of the area they had a right to be involved and have a say in zoning changes. They also called into question the legal validity of some of Next Step’s proposal, including adequate zoning hardships, which was echoed by some councilmembers.
Ultimately, Next Step’s amended proposal was again amended by a councilmember to remove a section discussing setbacks of the property and then voted on. The special ordinance allowing the rezoning was approved.
“What this vote means for Next Step is that we can continue to help people who need help. Bottom line,” Simons said. “It’s really a simple ordinance request. It didn’t have to be this way.”
Simons said that Next Step will work to resolve issues with residents of the neighborhood. Both sides apologized to the city council during the meeting for the prolonged process.
