By AARON SMITH
Noblesville Common Council
Guest Columnist
When I went door-to-door running to represent Noblesville on the city council, I promised that I would balance new development with preservation, especially downtown. I believe that the ordinance that the Council passed this week to create a “Downtown Protection Boundary,” safeguarding historic buildings from demolition, does just that.
Prior to the passage of this ordinance, there was a provision in place which loosely protected historic buildings on the square, but not to the extent we needed. For most of Old Town, this meant that anyone, whether it be your neighbor or an out-of-town real estate investor, could simply demolish a downtown building and leave a vacant lot in its place.
Working with our neighbors, other Council members, and the mayor’s office, we rewrote the ordinance to make the demolition process more thorough and better protect our neighborhood.
Under this newly passed ordinance, demolition permits for structures larger than a standard two-car garage will go through Plan Commission and Council for review and a vote. Prior to the rewrite, properties on and near the square were given the permit after a 30-day hold. Properties outside of this area were automatically granted one.
The new ordinance also increases the area of protection to include the Square, Logan Street, the Old Boys and Girls Club, the R.L. Wilson House, Seminary Park, and every important area in between. I am confident that the ordinance now in place will help preserve the fabric of this vital area of Noblesville and ensure that any new development will be held to a higher standard in matching the established character of our neighborhood.
This active pursuit of preservation, combined with strategic investment downtown, is the true strength of this ordinance.
In the last few years, the City of Noblesville has announced more than $145 million of investment downtown by both the private and public sectors. I’ve supported these projects and believe they’re key to bringing more people downtown, supporting our small businesses, and protecting the authentic character of the square. This investment is a crucial piece to the puzzle that, if done right, can and should coexist with historic preservation.
Our downtown is special. Out of the 92 county seats in Indiana, I’d put ours up against any other. I ran for council to ensure that the development coming to Noblesville is guided to the right places in our city, and I believe this ordinance rewrite helps to protect our historic neighborhoods and places a “check” on the development process.
Aaron Smith represents District 3 on the Noblesville Common Council and serves as Council Vice President. He represents the bulk of Old Town, a portion of Monterey Village, and the neighborhoods on both sides of State Road 37 north of 191st Street.