Subdivision battles future Cobblestone Crossings apartments

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Terre Haute homeowners fight to save their property values.

More than forty Terre Haute homeowners addressed the Vigo County Commissioners Tuesday.

Residents of Lake View and Woodgate subdivisions and several other subdivisions spoke at the meeting in hopes to stop construction of future apartment buildings.

The future building plans of Cobblestone Crossings was a hot topic at the commissioners meeting.

Homeowners around Cobblestone Crossings were told single family condos were promised to be built behind the surrounding subdivisions.

Michael Poinsett, a Woodgate resident for more than 11-years says, "When they got to this area they said, don't worry we will have single family homes."

But in 2008 the area was rezoned, which was approved by commissioners and allowed almost 30-foot tall apartment complexes to be built.

"People will be able to open their sliding door, take eight steps and be right next to my barn and looking into my house,” said Poinsett.

Several homeowners presented more than three-hundred signatures at the meeting, which opposed the zone change; however, by the end of the meeting, the commissioner’s hands were tied.

Judy Anderson, a Vigo County Commissioner said, "We don’t have the authority to go back to rezone property that doesn't belong to us, so any rezoning would also have to come as a request."

Poinsett said, "This isn't just a pocket of opposition. We all feel that we weren't notified. We were deceived; this was done in secrecy. They never sent a letter about the zoning change."

Michael Wright, Vigo County Attorney recommended to the people who attended the meeting to seek legal help.

News 10 reached out to Cobblestone Crossings but never received an answer.

Vigo County Commissioners told News 10 they want to sit down with both homeowners and the owner of Cobblestone Crossing in hopes of being able to reach an agreement.