Dear Name,
Thank you for your attention to our community’s concerns regarding the proposed gravel mining operation at Potter’s Bridge Park called Rocks to Rec. I strongly oppose the proposal - for a multitude of reasons - that would put industrial mining operations adjacent to hundreds of family homes and a historic nature and leisure park for five years. City and county residents will be injured by the economic, environmental, and adverse health effects of what is essentially a profit venture for Beaver Materials. Hamilton County Parks is a co-petitioner, even though such a project is not included in their most recent (2017-2021) Master Plan.
Regarding the gravel pit proposal, please consider the following concerns:
There is an elevated risk to our county’s drinking water, as provided by the petitioner’s hydrogeology assessment. With monitoring, the risk is minimal, but is still present. Any risk, great or minimal, to drinking water is unsatisfactory. Indiana American Water has submitted a neutral statement and has carefully worded it to put the blame on our government officials if contamination occurs.
Using this land is contradictory to Noblesville’s Comprehensive Plan (start at page 58). The attempt to use GUO zoning for a private business operation is contrary to city ordinance. Adding the parks board as a co-petitioner and donating land does not make this a government-use. Additionally, gravel mining is not a permitted use in an FH flood zone. The proposal also conflicts with the Noblesville Comprehensive Plan (linked above) by calling for gravel mining in an urban area set aside for Flood Plain Preservation.
Noise levels will violate city noise ordinances, according to the levels recorded in the petitioner’s Noise and Dust study. Mining operations are not construction activities and are not exempt to city ordinances.
It is unclear where the funding will come from or how long it will take to convert the gravel pit to a park at the end of the 5-year mining period. Will the petitioners put that money in a trust now or sign an ironclad contract guaranteeing that the money will be available in five years, regardless of whether the company is still in business or owned by the petitioner?
Winds will carry hazardous levels of dust, ash, dirt, and vehicular emissions. Pollution could travel between 984-1640 ft (source) and affect all park goers, a minimum of 80 family homes, White River Christian Church (who holds frequent outdoor events on their property), school age athletes that use area– especially all those suffering with breathing issues (eg. asthma, COPD). In the petitioner’s submitted noise and dust study, they recorded dust emissions ABOVE the EPA’s hazardous level guidelines when the area was not properly watered down. At minimum, oversight is necessary to ensure the petitioner adheres to frequent, daily watering of traveled surfaces, but this still does not mitigate vehicular emissions.
It cuts out a vital piece of our recreational network. School athletics utilize the park for training purposes, and youth soccer leagues use the soccer fields near White River Christian Church. Potter’s Bridge Trail connects residents and visitors to Forest Park and downtown Noblesville. Walkers, runners, cyclists, and dozens of families use this park regularly for exercise or for family photos. For 5 years, and however many more it takes to rehabilitate the pit left behind, residents, scholastic athletes, youth athletes, and visitors will be cut off from this network.
For these reasons, and dozens more, I urge you to vote no on the proposed zoning changes, to avoid setting a harmful precedent and to protect the quality of life for all of the citizens of Noblesville, the environment, and living creatures that utilize the area for necessity.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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(At-large council members represent all of Noblesville)