An Open Letter to Council Member Dan Spartz
Noblesville resident Lori Hand forwarded us the email she wrote to her District 4 Noblesville Common Council Member Dan Spartz about the gravel pit. We received her permission to share it publicly. If you also live in District 4 (north and west of Old Town), you can reach Mr. Spartz at dspartz@noblesville.in.us
Noblesville Common Council Member Dan Spartz (District 4) | Photo courtesy of the City of Noblesville
Dear Mr. Spartz,
I’d like to thank you in advance for your attention to the community’s concerns about the proposed Beaver gravel mining operation at Potter’s Bridge Park. Our bipartisan community group has been opposed to this project for nearly two years and has once again presented to the Noblesville Plan Commission a compelling case against imposing this intrusive operation on the city’s residents, who would be injured by its aesthetic and environmental impacts.
Consider the following:
Indiana American Water Company opposed the project in 2020 and is not in favor of it now. Rather, the water company’s updated statement says only that the City of Noblesville has been given sufficient information to analyze the risks, make their own decision, and take responsibility for the results.
Using this land for a gravel mine is contrary to its zoning as well as Noblesville’s comprehensive plan. The proposal conflicts with the Noblesville Comprehensive Plan by calling for gravel mining in an urban area set aside for Flood Plain Preservation.
The Hoosier Environmental Council continues to oppose the project. In a letter dated May 16, 2022, Senior Water Policy Associate Susie McGovern urged the Noblesville Plan Commission to vote against the proposal—which they did, decisively.
Noise and air pollution resulting from the project are still a major health concern. Noise levels will violate city ordinances and hazardous levels of dust, ash, dirt, and vehicular emissions will endanger park-goers, neighbors, school students, and even wedding guests and young campers at your family’s nearby Artisan Acres Estate property.
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.
Sincerely yours,
Lori Hand
Noblesville District 4 Resident