By Stacey Clark
What is the value of an urban forest left standing? Besides absorbing flood runoff, and buffering noise and heat, a woods where people can walk their dogs and let the kids play is a precious asset on the Northside of Indy.
That’s why the Driftwood Hills Neighborhood is against Keystone Realty’s proposed “Alexander at the Crossing” development at the northeast corner of 86th St. & Haverstick Road. The zoning required for said proposal was, thankfully, denied by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) last October.
So why, in an unprecedented move, is Indianapolis City-County Councillor Colleen Fanning attempting to reverse the decision of the city’s governing land use body and have the woods bulldozed for yet another needless development?
As anyone who lives or drives through the intersection at 86th St. & Keystone Ave. knows, the traffic is a nightmare! This intersection was just listed as the number one intersection for seasonal accidents by the Indy Star. How could anyone recommend further developing this area, exacerbating the existing traffic and safety concerns?
Indianapolis ranks terribly when it comes to greenspace available, 98/100! Why would we want to see one of the last remaining green spaces on the Northside be cleared for more commercial development?
We need to let Councillor Fanning know that the community has spoken on this issue already. Our communities deserve better!
Please contact your Indianapolis City-County Councillor and urge them to vote “NO!” on Councillor Fanning’s proposal to reverse the decision of the MDC. Once you know who your City-County Councillor is, contact them.
The Driftwood Hills Neighborhood Association thanks you in advance.
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This article was submitted as a letter to the editor to major Indianapolis publications. Learn more about the issue.
Stacey is a Driftwood Hills resident.
