NOBLESVILLE — A concerned group of community members are determined to stop a proposed gravel pit from opening at Potter's Bridge Park in Noblesville.
Beaver Materials is the company seeking the city's approval for the project.
"We have nothing against the Beaver family or their company. We don't want any business to have a problem growing. The only issue we have is the location," Rachael Raymer, one of the many against the proposed gravel pit, said.
If approved by the city, the gravel pit would be at Potter's Bridge Park.
"There are 600 properties within a half-mile distance of this gravel pit and economic impact studies show it could negatively affect property values between 20 to 30%," Raymer said.
You can see more of their concerns by going to a website they just put up.
Ali Beaver, who is leading this proposed project, tells WRTV they're doing everything by the book, following all safety and health guidelines.
"We are heavily regulated by the federal government. We come into an area and we're inspected twice a year by MSHA which is the Mineral and Health Safety Administration," Beaver said.
They interact with several other agencies including DNR to make sure they are having the least amount of impact on the environment and the people around their worksite, according to Beaver.
She also pointed out Strawtown Koteewi Park as a successful project that would mirror the one they want to do at Potter's Bridge Park. In 10 years, they would turn the gravel pit site into a lake for the community to use.
"I actually grew up down the street from the proposed location. That's where my parents still live today. I rode my bikes on those paths daily," Beaver said. "As the City of Noblesville grows, the parks need to grow as well and that's what we're really trying to do here."
However, Raymer and many others are not convinced it is going to be a good thing for their community. Now, their last hope against the project moving forward are their elected leaders.
"When the council is thinking about rezoning something that is multi-family residential, if it's approved, it sets an awful precedent for the rest of the City of Noblesville," Raymer said
Noblesville Common Council President Wil Hampton sent the following statement to WRTV concerning this matter.
“At this point in the process nothing has been presented to Council. I am listening to both sides of the argument and preparing for the December meeting when we will hear the zoning change request," Hampton said.
