MOUNT VERNON — City council members adopted a new zoning code by a 5 to 2 vote on Monday.
Councilwomen Tammy Woods and Janis Seavolt cast the no votes.
“I read this twice. I feel like I studied for a year-long college exam in six weeks and don’t even understand what I read, let alone (enough to) take a test on it,” Woods said.
She received multiple calls she could not answer and felt the answers to her questions were unclear.
“I feel like my constituents are sitting in the same place,” she said.
“I sit here tonight not completely understanding what we’re voting on to my satisfaction to put a yes vote. That’s not to be portrayed as I don’t think we need to replace our current zoning.”
Council member Amber Keener reviewed the meetings and hearings that discussed the changes.
She supports the updates because she wants to make sure her children will have a place to live.
Regarding the change from planned neighborhood development (PND) to planned development, she said, “There have been mixed-use properties since Shakespeare’s time with families living on the second and third floors and businesses on the first floor.”
Keener said it is significant that R-1 did not emerge until after World War II and that people are moving back to generational homes.
“For me, that’s really important. I want to have somewhere my mother can move to when she can’t get around as well,” she said.
Councilman Mike Miller agreed there was ample time for people to comment.
“It’s not perfect, but it starts us down the road of giving people the opportunity to have a home and live in Mount Vernon, which is what we want,” he said.
Opposing new zoning code provisions
Four residents opposed the code changes during a public hearing held before council’s legislative session.
Several acknowledged the code needed updating but opposed the following:
• Residential mixed with commercial
• No minimum lot size
• Little houses and cottage courts
• Spot zoning, small lot sizes
“Traffic safety, education, and the city’s infrastructure will take a back seat to out-of-state developers’ profits if these zoning codes are approved,” Robert Beck said.
“If you have not heard from the public related to issues they might have a problem with, there’s probably a good reason for that. Not many people will take the time to read 220 pages of something that to the average person really doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Don Carr said.
“The fact that they are mute does not necessarily mean they support what’s in the packet.”
“Mount Vernon has not grown into the community we know and love with a zoning code,” Clyde Kahrl said.
He likes smaller lot sizes and said duplexes should be allowed anywhere in the city. He opposed the 35-foot building height restriction when many older homes are higher.
Dave McCoy questioned how the code applies to land on Vernonview the city recently rezoned to PND.
Law Director Rob Broeren said the PND would be covered by the current code, not the updated code. He noted, however, that the developer could apply to change the PND zoning.
Advocating for change
Terry Shultz, director of Knox County Habitat for Humanity, said the changes are a crucial first step in ensuring affordable housing for everyone.
He said when the city adopted the current code, the American dream was a house, front yard, porch, and one or two cars.
“That dream looks different today for many residents of Mount Vernon. That is the reason why the zoning regulations should be passed,” he said.
Shultz cited the improved process for infill lots, the ability to build smaller homes, and allowing accessory buildings for a redefined family as positive code changes.
Realtor John Yoder said his concern is affordable housing for his daughter.
He approves of higher density and likes mixed uses and a walkable community. He also likes the ability to put back what was formerly on vacant infill lots.
“All of those things will make housing more affordable,” he said.
Realtor Sibley Poland said the code’s language on accessory buildings excites her.
She has renovated many historic homes and worked with buyers who relocated elsewhere to accommodate a blended family, such as a mother-in-law suite.
“I think opening that up opens our world up and helps keep the historical homes maintained and sold,” she said. “Some people shy away from them because of their utility bills, but if they can blend that family together, that cuts down on their costs. I think it makes those homes a lot more marketable.”
Landlord Chuck Rogers noted that the smaller units and generational housing help keep seniors out of nursing homes. He noted that many seniors do not want maintenance chores but still want to walk downtown for events.
“I think this is really going to help bring them into town. With the younger generation, some of them don’t want to be homeowners,” he said.
