Developer proposes apartments

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Apartment complex in Linton, similar to ones being proposed on Greencastle's south side.

Members of the public listened Monday night as plans for a new apartment complex in Greencastle were announced.

Charles Heintzelmann, with Milestone Ventures of Indianapolis, said his company has an option to buy several acres of undeveloped land located between South and Martinsville streets.

He had hoped to present his plans for the two-story, 31-unit complex to the Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday night but there were not enough members present to vote, so the meeting was postponed until next Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Heintzelmann is asking for a special exception to the city's zoning ordinance to allow for a multi-family dwelling in a single-family district.

The company has built similar complexes in communities the size of Greencastle and smaller, including Linton, Rising Sun, Morengo, Corydon, Salem and Orleans.

Monthly rents for the units range from $220 to $515 per month for a one-bedroom and $300 to $665 for a three-bedroom.

Heintzelmann said the company plans to start out by building 31 units and possibly double that number in the future.

The apartments will be available for low-income residents, however, they are not what the public commonly knows as "government subsidized housing."

Heintzelmann explained that his company does receive tax credits from the federal government, which it uses to construct the apartments. In turn, it must offer a certain number of the apartments at lower rental rates so that low-income families can afford them.

Several residents attended Tuesday night's meeting but did express concern about the tenants. They were concerned about drainage, road traffic and buffering between the existing residential area.

Heintzelmann will return next week to make his formal request to the BZA. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at city hall.

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  • This is great!!! Greencastle and Putnam County needs more affordable housing. Many of the places of employment in Greencastle and Putnam County wages are low and this will help so many people. This will be so helpful for young people who can't afford to buy and then have their homes foreclosed. This is probably the best news we have had in Putnam County for quite a while.

    Thank you, Charles Heintzelman!!!!

    -- Posted by Taxpayer5253 on Wed, Oct 8, 2008, at 6:35 AM
  • i feel this is a great thing for the city, as stated before the income in greecastle is avery low and with some of the laying that is going around, incomes are getting less and less. so hope this gets approved. lets keep greencastle strong!!!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by lleonard47 on Wed, Oct 8, 2008, at 8:49 AM
  • This is good news for Greencastle. With economy going so bad we all might need this. Things are not affordable right now and here is a little pet peeve for all trying to sell things. Things are tight for everyone so now is not a good time to push your Mary Kay or Avon or try to sell to me candles or Tupper Ware. I am bled dry from all the women who have these parties. You are sucking the money from all your friends. Get new clients or get new friends you are annoying your pals.

    -- Posted by savethekids on Wed, Oct 8, 2008, at 1:56 PM
  • Up to $665 for a THREE bedroom! Wow!! That's cheap compared to what Round Barn Manor Apartments told me they charge for a TWO bedroom. Hopefully these apartments get approved and they are decent in size! Greencastle could use more NICER AFFORDABLE places like that.

    -- Posted by putcoresident on Wed, Oct 8, 2008, at 8:12 PM
  • just what greencastle needs more "low income" places that will run the city down.

    -- Posted by flygal026 on Thu, Oct 9, 2008, at 5:59 AM
  • Better employment opportunities (in other cities and states) cause many folks to leave the city. Adding more low income housing will continue to lower the standards for those of you that remain. Is that what you all want?

    -- Posted by ExHoosier on Thu, Oct 9, 2008, at 5:55 PM
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