The Terre Haute City Council on Thursday heard extended public opposition to Special Ordinance 11 20 25, a petition to rezone 1103 South Center Street from R-1 (single-family) to R-2 (two-family). Petitioner attorney David Frederick described the property and said Highland Property Group bought a condemned duplex last year and is seeking rezoning and a parking variance.

Neighbors and preservation advocates said the work on the house is already done, has damaged the block’s historic character and left debris, and that approving the rezoning now would set an undesirable precedent. Carrie Youssef, president of Farrington Grove Historical District, Inc., said the petition’s claim that the owner “will be unable to renovate the property until it’s properly zoned” is false and submitted photographs she said show renovations already completed. Chris Wolf, a local contractor and landlord, and Britney Staff Wolf, a resident, said the exterior work removed historic features and left sidewalks strewn with glass and construction debris. Margaret Hurdlick, a longtime resident, said the long center block between College and Washington is the only R-1 block in Farrington’s Grove and asked the council to preserve it.

Council members declined to vote on the ordinance at the meeting. Council discussion focused on process and precedent: several members said they will await the area planning commission’s review and a staff report before deciding. Councilperson Thompson asked the petitioner to provide the date the building permit was filed and how far renovations have progressed; David Frederick said he would gather and provide that information. Council members and residents also referenced a planned historic-preservation ordinance expected before the council in coming weeks.

Why it matters: residents said approval would alter the single-family character of a small, historic block, and opponents argued allowing after-the-fact rezoning rewards developers who begin work before obtaining proper approvals. Supporters of redevelopment were not represented at the meeting; the petitioner said Highland Property Group intends to rehab the building but did not request an immediate vote.

What happened next: No formal council vote occurred. Council members said they would review the area planning commission’s recommendation (area planning had not yet met on the petition) and requested documentation from the petitioner about the timing and scope of the renovations and the building-permit timeline. The council indicated the item will return after staff and area planning recommendations are available.

Details: The petition requests rezoning from R-1 to R-2 for a property described by the petitioner as a two-story building with three bedrooms and two baths on each floor. The petitioner also requests a variance reducing required parking from six spaces to four on the site. Neighbors submitted photographs alleging boarded historic windows, new siding, construction debris left in yards and on sidewalks, and what they described as low-quality work that has diminished neighborhood character.

Council context: Council members noted the council cannot dictate construction style or quality absent a historic-preservation ordinance, which several council members said is forthcoming. Members also expressed concern about creating a precedent that permits “ask forgiveness, not permission” behavior if the council approves after-the-fact rezoning.

Next steps: The petition will proceed to area planning for review; the council deferred final action pending that recommendation and additional documentation from the petitioner.