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Dear Editor:
I appreciated reading Fred Swift’s comments in the Oct. 22 edition of the Hamilton County Reporter, and I agree with Mr. Swift in that this project has raised so much public opposition and ire, why not simply build the new gravel pit somewhere else?
It is a simple answer; aggregate deposits are fairly consistent in established river beds such as the White River. Mr. Beaver has built a very successful and non-controversial gravel pit on State Road 37 near Strawtown in a non-residential area and had no public resistance because this operation is sensibly built in a non-residential area and not at a public park – not in front of three major residential subdivisions (some 400+ families affected), not near five public schools, which air quality would be adversely affected by drifting silt and not along a known wildlife corridor.
It’s a simple answer that satisfies both parties: Move the location.
I read Mayor Jensen’s comments that he had to “consider both sides” of this issue. What does he have to consider? Yes, Mr. Beaver has promised a 10-acre donation to the Parks Department, OK more trails, but who will want to walk trails alongside an active, dirty, noisy, dangerous gravel digging operation?
The noise and activity will drive out any birds or wildlife in the park, lessen the peace and quiet of the trail which draws many walkers now, and disrupt river and riparian wildlife along the trail so that gift is of little benefit to the citizens who enjoy the quiet trail now.
Yes, Mr. Beaver has promised a “donation” of the abandoned gravel pit in 10 years, and I wish we would call it what it is: Not a lake natural or man-made but an abandoned gravel pit with all the danger inherent to gravel pits. That being after 10 years of active digging and perhaps more, if his contract contains any type of extension provision. In the meantime, we the people have to live with the noise, dirt and chaos of an active gravel pit with 30+ trucks per day coming and going along Allisonville Road.
While I appreciate Ali Beaver’s editorial comments, I contend there are larger public issues here that cannot be addressed by citing safety programs and governmental regulation adherence and promises, those being, what about the 400+ families whose lives and investments in their homes are directly affected by the property devaluation this will bring not addressing air quality issues, noise issues, additional heavy truck traffic, et cetera?
To quote an old “Star Trek” movie, “Does the welfare of the one exceed the welfare of the many?” NO it does not.
I see no benefit from this project for the people of Noblesville or of Hamilton County and much profit and benefit for one business and one man: Beaver.
I have talked with my fellow citizens at church, on the trail, in the grocery store, while shopping, at Homeowners Association meetings, at the gym and at various clubs and activities and NO ONE, not a single person, understands why we as a community are even considering this project.
Most comments I hear begin with “Are you kidding?” and “That’s crazy.”
This park is beloved by the people of Hamilton County, and to entertain allowing a gravel pit to be put here is a betrayal of the trust put into our City Fathers by citizens who chose to build their homes in Noblesville rather than Fishers, Westfield, Cicero or any of the other fine small communities of Hamilton County. The devaluation of these residents’ homes should alone be sufficient to make our City Fathers reconsider and say “no” to this project and to the rezoning.
What about “we the people” who elected these individuals to represent our interest? What about the thousands of signatures on the public petition against this project and those people who have felt strongly enough to add their names and addresses as their way of saying, “Hear us, we don’t want this”? This petition grows larger and larger by the day. That alone should send a sufficient message to our City Council and to our Mayor to “just say no” to this project. It’s not just an arbitrary few who are protesting, it’s thousands and growing daily.
Finally, I have to ask our Mayor and our City Council with so much public resistance, why is Mr. Beaver’s voice still stronger than ours, the people who elected you to office trusting you to be mindful of their welfare?
Pamela Wind
Noblesville
Well said. I speak to people all the time who are incredulous that this is even considered at that location. You just do not put a gravel pit next to hundreds of homes and a beautiful park that will be ruined for a decade. Period.
Why does Noblesville even bother with zoning? It’s a bastardization to twist the “government use” to mean that industrial use for one PRIVATE business can be done for a decade.
Why don’t our officials– who are elected to represent us–see that? Why does one private entity win out over hundreds and hundreds of residents? This should be the easiest decision for the Noblesville City Council to ever make. And shame on the Hamilton County “Parks” Department. If this happens, the backlash from residents and users of the beautiful park and trail will be lasting.
Beautifully written letter expressing the voices of the “little people”. In regards to the previous words from Ali Beaver and Company…she said the fence would “prevent” people from entering the pit area. Any teen that wants to get in will. Unless the fence had barb wire on it kids will climb it. An accident waiting to happen.
I agree with Pamela 100%!!!
I look forward to my tax dollars being spent on cleaning up their donated waste pit. As a city we won’t spend the money to turn the train tracks into a biking trail but I’m quite positive we will turn some 50 foot deep pit into a nature lovers paradise. No way we will just toss a fence around it and let it sit.
This situation is a huge disappointment to my husband & I, along with our son, his wife, & their young family.
Last year we moved to the Noblesville area to retire near family. We enjoy exploring new, beautiful area to walk. When we heard the possibility of a gravel pit taking over this lovely natural space, we were most disappointed.
We are hopeful the voices of hundreds of residents will be heard, so this lovely area can be saved for all to enjoy.
Thank you.
Beautifully said. Mr. Beaver has a grand opportunity to demonstrate his love and respect for the people of. Noblesville and the mayor and city council have the opportunity to demonstrate that the trust placed in them by the voters is well placed. Praying for an honorable outcome.
Another well said for Pamela! Take a drive down River Road if you want to see the future. I live in a duplex off River Road. The truck traffic noise is loud, it is quite dusty further down the road and most (est 75%) exceed the 30 speed limit going 40. The South end of the 32/River Rd intersection degrades quicker from the truck traffic. Take a short drive down 32 to Lapel to view a very dangerous quarry pit lake. Why is this new pit even under consideration?
Well written Pamela! Mayor and Council listen to the people of Noblesville and the neighbors that don’t want the gravel pit. Don’t Leave it to Beaver
What she says about beavers gravel pit is true. They can make all the promises they want but I am against it also. Noise alone is the biggest factor, trucks, dust, lost peace of the current trail for TEN years. No.
Not only that but try to drive south on Olio road or River road between 7 am & 9 am.
I was nearly run off the road on Olio trying to get my daughter to an appt. At IU Saxony one morning by a convoy of empty gravel trucks going to get the first load of the day. These trucks are huge compared to my mini cooper, if my car had been larger I would have been in a ditch, as they were all speeding, all over the line. Several cars were ruined when we lived where we needed to travel River road, and the lights are on all night to avoid theft.
No. We don’t want any more gravel pits within twenty miles of the city, or that have to use anything other than highway roads. 69, 37, 31, 32, – we need laws keeping these big trucks OFF two lane roads like Olio.
This letter does a great job of articulating my feelings as well. It is a great injustice to think that one corporation with money deserves to enrich itself further at the expense of the health, safety, and peace of hundreds if not thousands of people who trusted their city and county government to protect them from this inappropriate use of the land.
Packing the house for the Nov 16th zoning board meeting will go further than letters …
A meeting that was rescheduled for the week before Thanksgiving BTW.
Why is it being considered? Follow the money. It’s probably too late for the citizens to win this, although their effort is laudable.
Meanwhile, vote for term limits and replace politicians regularly before they have time to build powerful grip and control over your community.