A proposal to build duplexes on Seymour’s north side has drawn complaints from some neighbors.
Andrew Skaggs of Skaggs Builders in Seymour will go before the Seymour City Council tonight seeking approval to rezone property at 137 E. 13th St. from R-1 (single family) zoning to R-2 (multi-family residential) zoning to allow for the construction of two duplexes.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at city hall at 301-309 N. Chestnut St.
Earlier this month, Skaggs received a favorable recommendation from the city plan commission with a vote of 9-2.
At that meeting, several neighbors spoke against the duplexes due to concerns about drainage issues, added traffic and parking in the area.
A total of 14 neighbors signed a petition saying they didn’t want the duplexes built.
Glenda Tharp lives directly across from the property and said there is already a problem with people parking on the sidewalks blocking access and forcing children to play in the road.
“I fear that this will be a safety hazard for our children,” she said.
There is not enough available parking to support four or more vehicles, she added.
Building commissioner Jeremy Gray said the duplexes would have off street parking spaces for residents.
Tharp said she also is concerned if the duplexes are built, more will be built in the future.
She said she’s currently in the process of refinancing her home and fears the duplexes will have a negative impact on her home’s value.
“I moved to this neighborhood because it’s quiet,” she said. “Because there’s not a lot of traffic going in and out. I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Commissioner Mark Hays said he didn’t think construction of nice, new duplexes will hurt the appraisal value of surrounding homes.
Marvin Sooy also lives in the 100 block of East 13th St. and doesn’t think the duplexes will fit aesthetically in the neighborhood.
“You have all these single-family homes and then you’re going to come across a duplex, and another duplex,” he said.
Skaggs said the duplexes will each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms with brick facades and vinyl siding on the sides and rear of the buildings.
“We take a lot of pride in our properties and would maintain it very nicely,” he said.
Sooy also is concerned by the potential increase in traffic congestion.
“It’s already hard to get up and down through the street,” he said. “Basically, if one person is at one end, they’ve got to stop to let the other one go through and this will add even more congestion.”
Johnny Hayes lives one street over on 14th Street and said the drainage is an issue that needs to be addressed.
“It does already flood,” he said.
Gray said the development would have to meet the city’s drainage requirements and not increase the amount of storm water already discharged from the property.