Is Zionsville losing its small town ambience? What a choice of word – ambience – usually used to describe a hotel or fine restaurant, but a town? I believe most concerned residents call it small town character or small town charm.
To address the question, just look at the latest version of the plan.
- Zionsville Road widened. How wide? Who knows. Two lanes with a tree median? Four lanes? All truncating at two-lane Ind. 334 at Main St.
- We call our town “Tree City”. It will undergo significant carnage – along Zionsville Road, designated as the “gateway” into town. Hundreds and hundreds of huge beautiful trees south of 106th St. will eventually be made into mulch to make way for offices, offices and more offices – for what type of tenants? I guess just build it and they will come. Ditto for the trees behind the old Citgo station, along the river, all the way through the trailer park are – gone! Take a drive through this area and try to picture it. What’s it look like? Fishers, Brownsburg, Clay Terrace?
- Then there is the surprise revision to the Land Use Map that shows a major tract of “single family residential” in the middle of the TIF District. Be careful – this could be standalone homes, but it also could town houses, or apartments – all considered single-family. It all has to do with the allowed density.Remember this area is PUD zoning – anything is acceptable.
- Finally, consider the latest plan for retail development at the north end of Zionsville Road. For nine months, American Structurepoint, Chris Hamm, Charlie Edwards, Tim Haak and the Working Group have assured the residents that, “Retail development along Zionsville Road will maintain the charm and character of the Village. It will be an extension of the Village that people can walk to and shop. There will be outdoor cafes and restaurants built in an architectural style to compliment the Village.” They even showed a drawing once – showing two- to three-story historic looking buildings with sidewalks extending from the corner of Zionsville Road &Ind. 334 down to 106th St. But now – surprise! They must have changed their mind and the plan.
About four years ago we started to hear the word change a lot. I assume the plan developed by the current town leaders was conceived about then. So this is change. My conclusion: With planned growth (as it appears currently planned), yes Zionsville will lose its small-town ambience. It will also lose its character and its charm.
John Notarianni
46077