On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Cicero Town Council met at Red Bridge Community Building, 697 W. Jackson St., Cicero. That venue was chosen to accommodate the number of citizens expected to attend to speak out about two controversial ordinances, both of which passed unanimously.
Ordinances No. 08-19-2025-03 was a Rezone Request to rezone two parcels from “AG” Agricultural District to “R3” Residential Medium Lot, Medium Home District pursuant to a petition from Estridge Development.
Ordinance No. 08-19-2025-04 was a Rezone Request from “R3” to PD-R3. To rezone the two parcels from “R3” Residential Medium Lot, Medium Home District to a “PD-R3” Planned Unit Development District, to be known as Hinkle Ridge, pursuant to a petition from Estridge Development.
Both ordinances were for the same parcels of land outside the border of Cicero, but inside the two-mile territorial authority area surrounding the town. The proposed development is set to be located near 236th Street and Deming Road. That’s about a mile and a half east of U.S. 31.
The Town Council allowed public comments on the ordinances. Comments were limited to 90 seconds per speaker. The Town Council received letters and emails submitted prior to the meeting for review, which were not read aloud during the meeting.
Council members Joseph Cox, Jacob Everett, Eric Hayden, Dennis Johnson, and Emily Pearson were present.
Estridge Homes Owner and CEO Clint Mitchell said the development will have the highest percentage of greenspace, the lowest density, and the highest price point of any project in Estridge’s history. Mitchell spoke about installing trails, a park, and a pedestrian bridge around 40 acres of dense woods west of Cicero.
According to Mitchell, the development will target empty nesters as well as families. Estridge is hoping to build 170 homes with prices ranging from $750,000 to over $2 million per home. The development will average 1.4 homes per acre.
There were several questions from the Council about potential flooding issues from runoff.
During the public comment portion of the evening, 15 residents in the area around the development site spoke. None spoke in favor.
Multiple citizens said they do not believe it fits the comprehensive plan and that since they live outside Cicero but inside the two-mile territorial authority limit, they are subject to the decisions of the Town Council with no right to vote for council members.
Concerns included traffic, distance from fire and emergency services, drainage and flooding, noise, crime, and building in a place that is not contiguous to existing town limits.
This area would not be under the Cicero noise ordinance jurisdiction, but rather under the Hamilton County noise ordinance.
Several people who would become neighbors of this development also noted Estridge has not contacted them directly.
During Council discussion, multiple members noted that this development would set a high standard for future projects. Specifically noted was a previously proposed Lannar Homes development bringing in 700 homes and over three houses per acre was denied.
After discussion, both ordinances passed 5-0.
Watch the full meeting on YouTube at tinyurl.com/mrt45zuv.
The next Cicero Town Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at Cicero Town Hall, 70 N. Byron St.