Ambience or charm?

Editor,

Is Zionsville losing its small town ambience? I believe most concerned residents call it small town charm.

Look at the plan.

• We call our town “Tree City.” It will undergo significant carnage along Zionsville Road, designated as the “gateway” into town. Hundreds of trees south of 106th St. will eventually be made into mulch to make way for offices – for what type of tenants?
• 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 apartments.
• Consider the latest plan for retail development at the north end of Zionsville Road. For months, American Structurepoint has assured the residents that, “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.”

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. My conclusion: With planned growth (as it appears currently planned), yes Zionsville will lose its small-town ambience. It will also lose its charm.