Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinions of The Reporter, its publisher or its staff. You can submit your own Letter to the Editor by email to News@ReadTheReporter.com. Please include your phone number and city of residence. The Reporter will publish one letter per person per week.
Don’t Leave It to Beaver group: Still gravely concerned with potential water contamination
Dear Editor:
Don’t Leave it to Beaver, a grassroots community organization, is encouraged by the fact that our efforts to stand up for the Hamilton County community has resulted in positive steps forward.
Regarding the gravel pit proposal next to Potter’s Bridge in Noblesville, the petitioners and their legal representatives held a virtual community feedback meeting on Thursday, May 5.
Both Beaver Materials legal representatives, Mr. Eric Douthit, and Mr. Chris Stice, director of Hamilton County Parks, presented conceptual renderings of the proposed site. They discussed the project details as found in the public filing documents, followed by questions from the community.
Some discouraging news discovered during the question-and-answer portion was that the City of Noblesville has been consulting with the petitioners prior to their application submission. All this despite the fierce and vocal opposition to the gravel pit proposal in the 19100 block of Allisonville Road. When asked why residential developments were included in the new proposal, “The City of Noblesville thought it would be a very good idea for those [townhomes] to be developed,” said Mr. Eric Douthit, Beaver Materials’ attorney.
Furthermore, Mr. Chris Stice stated that, “We’re excited about this park expansion opportunity, if approved by the city of Noblesville.” The Parks Department is planning to expand the canoe and kayak launch system with the leftover lake. “Providing more locations to still water recreations such as kayaking similar to Strawtown Koteewi park is a need.” A need, he explained, was identified after surveying residents for an update to their Master Plan.
The community received the most information to date on the issue of monitoring for water contamination. Monitoring wells would be installed at Beaver Materials’ expense, and these wells will be checked by Intera, the same company that conducted the hydrogeology assessment. Mr. Douthit acknowledged that the likeliest type of contamination, if any occurred, would be leaks from trucks, specifically “petroleum-based products.”
When questioned if there was a plan should drinking water contamination occur, Douthit stated that a remediation plan will be put in place in the event of contamination. After being pressed on if the public would be notified in such an instance, Douthit responded, “If there is any remediation, Beaver will inform the public.”
Both a water monitoring and contamination remediation plan have not been documented in any of the public filings, which would secure Beaver Materials and Hamilton County Parks to this promise.
Also surprisingly, Mr. Douthit claimed that “there will be no silica dust.” Industrial sand and gravel is often called “silica” (source). It’s the most common mineral in the earth’s crust, and it can be found anywhere.
In regards to dredging, the process that would be used at the proposed gravel pit site, crystalline silica can become airborne where any piles of drying sand or dust are stored before being transported to another site (source). When receiving additional concerned questions from the community, Douthit stated that the project would create dust like when a person is playing in a sandbox. “Not going to be anything significant to folks here,” he said.
The petitioner’s dust study recorded levels above what the EPA considers hazardous (source).
While the meeting allowed for direct questions and conversations from the community, there was nothing new, in terms of due diligence and material documents, taken away by the community, who will ultimately be affected. City officials, despite purportedly consulting on this project over the last year, should carefully consider how they vote, noting that promises have not been documented, and infrastructure has not been adequately evaluated for each stage of this project – from excavation to the impact of new residential developments.
And, any risk to Hamilton County’s drinking water is unacceptable.
Concerned citizens are encouraged to sign the petition as well as take action by reaching out to their government representatives.
Questions or concerns? Email the organizers at stopbeaver@gmail.com.
Don’t Leave It to Beaver
Stop the Gravel Pit
Development Director: Not true that City thinks townhomes would be a “very good idea”
Dear Editor:
I oversee the City of Noblesville’s Economic Development and Planning Departments, and I would like an opportunity to respond and clarify some incorrect statements that were made in the Don’t Leave it to Beaver organization’s latest press release sent out on May 7.
Unfortunately, before they sent out the release, the City was not contacted by the organization for comment.
The release began with a misquote from Eric Douthit, “When asked why residential developments were included in the new proposal, ‘The City of Noblesville thought it would be a very good idea for those [townhomes] to be developed,’ said Mr. Eric Douthit, Beaver Materials’ attorney.”
We spoke with Mr. Douthit today to gain some clarity and he assured me that he did not say that the City of Noblesville thought it would be a very good idea, rather that the residents of Noblesville thought it would be a good idea.
In the release, it was mentioned that, “Some discouraging news that was discovered during the question and answer portion was that the City of Noblesville has been consulting with the petitioners prior to their application submission.”
I want to make it clear that the Planning and Development Department requires a pre-filing meeting in advance of any petition getting filed. This is to assure that they have all the required documentation, signature, etc. for a complete application.
Anyone within Noblesville’s Planning Jurisdiction can come in with a proposal to discuss their options for approval/processes/etc. It’s the Planning and Development Department’s role to hear and provide guidance on the process for these requests.
The Planning Department also regularly speaks with citizens to provide information on process and opportunities for comment on petitions filed or anticipated to be filed.
Legally, anyone within Noblesville’s Planning Jurisdiction can file an application/petition to the City Planning and Development Department. The only restriction to filing an application would be if a petitioner already proposed the same Unified Development Ordinance modification/approval and it was denied through Plan Commission, BZA, or Council. Then, they have to wait one calendar year to reapply. The previous petition filed by Beaver Materials was withdrawn before any vote or recommendation was made.
At the end of the day, we encourage civic engagement and I thank you for allowing me to rectify any misconceptions put forward by the Don’t Leave it to Beaver group.
Sarah Reed
Community Development Director
City of Noblesville
How about the misconceptions & lack of unbiased science on the part of the petitioner ?
Difference being that mis statements from the opposing party won’t affect anyones health, water supply or quality of life.
Hope the plan commission understands that difference .. for the local residents sake.
Noblesville voters would be wise to check the list of campaign contributors & connect-the-dots prior to the next City election cycle as ‘he who pays the piper, calls the tune’ rings espacially true in Hamilton county politics.
.
“We spoke with Mr. Douthit today to gain some clarity and he assured me that he did not say that the City of Noblesville thought it would be a very good idea, rather that the residents of Noblesville thought it would be a good idea.”
So .. there was a referendum held that no one is aware of except the attorney for the petitioner ?
I Douthit.
.