Residents to decide on continuing the fight

Home Place annexation . . .

The County Line

Will Home Place soon cease to exist as a somewhat independent though unincorporated community?

The answer appears to be yes, based on the outcome of an Indiana Court of Appeals decision Tuesday. In a 12-year annexation battle with Carmel, the court ruled that Carmel is capable of providing fire protection and other city services to the Home Place community.

But, in the short term annexation depends on the outcome of a vote by residents Nov. 19 on whether or not to appeal the Tuesday ruling to the state Supreme Court. Homeowners opposed to annexation have 30 days to either proceed to the higher court or give up the fight.

There were indications this week that the fight might go on. Review by the Supreme Court would likely take months as did the case when it was being considered by the Appeals Court.

Carmel wants Home Place in order to complete incorporation of all of Clay Township. The Home Place area is generally bounded by 111th Street on the north, Interstate 465 on the south, Westfield Boulevard on the east and Pennsylvania Street on the west. The estimated population is slightly under 5,000.

Home Place was somewhat unique when it was platted 103 years ago as an interurban commuter community. The Union Traction Company had completed its electric train route through the area a few years earlier. The Orrin Jessup Land Company created Home Place along the interurban tracks in 1914 with the idea that residents could have rapid access to Indianapolis employment.

A few dozen homes were built over the next 15 years, but the Great Depression followed by the demise of the interurban and World War II virtually halted development until the 1950s when suburban subdivisions were first developed in the area. Home Place was never incorporated as a town.

In recent decades an expanding Carmel virtually surrounded Home Place. Residents opposed being a part of Carmel, and the legal struggle began in 2005.Opponents of annexation say have the public services they need without paying the Carmel city tax rate.

Some Home Place residents also believe Carmel wants to redevelop the area in the city’s image with its commercial and dense residential areas. Most of Home Place is composed older residential areas and only a small commercial area around the main intersection of 106th and College Avenue.