NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) -- Louisville has seen nearly 9,000 people leave the area since 2020, many heading across the river to southern Indiana where development is growing.
Some of those who left the city for smaller schools, less traffic, and a life in the country are fighting to keep their quiet lives quiet.
As WDRB shot video of some farmland in Memphis, Indiana that is under consideration for rezoning, former Louisville resident Ricki Hines stopped and said before kids, she wouldn't cross the river again on a bet.
"The schools and everybody being on top of each other, and driving over there is dangerous and then you have the whole bridge problem," said Hines.
Hines and her husband own land that borders a proposed 500-home development. The 187 acres is partially planted with soybeans and almost ready for harvest. If the developer get the zoning, she is expecting to see homes packed into field.
"You need affordable housing, we are OK with that part, it is the R2 zoning we have a problem with," she said.
R2 zoning, Hines said, would bring city water and sewer and allow the developer to build more homes. She said since moving, she and her family have gotten used to the quiet life and smaller schools.
"That is why people move out here, they want to have that country feel," she said.
Development in southern Indiana has been slowly crawling from the Memphis Interstate 65 West exit for some time. Within a mile drive of the proposed 187-acre development is a new apartment complex and housing development. Both are right behind a busy truck stop.
Tuesday night, New Albany's City Council chambers were packed as neighbors rallied against a proposed development in an area off Budd Road in Floyd County. The developer is asking the city's planning commission to rezone an old farmstead for new homes and/or apartments in the country.
"I grew up here, was raised here, and had to unfortunately move over to Louisville for a period of time and I couldn't wait to get back here. Now I'm here, and in my childhood home and hometown," said Elisha Magness, who helped organize neighbors to rally against the proposed development.
In February, the city put a moratorium on new apartment construction in an effort to encourage homeownership. The proposed development in front of the planning commission on Tuesday is barely inside New Albany's jurisdiction.
The proposed development could have competition. The New Albany Planning Commission didn't make a recommendation on the proposal during Tuesday's meeting. A move Magness and her neighbors said is a victory.
Another hearing on the development proposal is scheduled for Sept. 19.
Related Stories:
- New Albany committee advances proposed moratorium on new apartments
- New Albany mayor recommends moratorium on new apartments
- New Albany Housing Authority moves forward with creation of revitalized Beechwood neighborhood
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