Residents confront Zionsville Community School Board about the proposed maintenance facility
By Sophie Pappas
In the middle of the April 14 Zionsville Community School Board of Trustees meeting, school administrators presented the corporation’s current plans for a new maintenance facility to be built on County Road 875.
This plan is a result of the recent land swap agreement with the town of Zionsville.
According to the plan, the town is receiving land at Creekside Corporate Park, located at 106th Street, in exchange for Jennings Field on Hal Sharpe Road. The school corporation originally planned on constructing a maintenance facility at Creekside Corporate Park, however since the land swap they have declared that they will build the maintenance facility on 875.
But Zionsville residents at the meeting weren’t buying into any of the ideas presented for the maintenance facility.
According to homeowners near the 875 site, the maintenance facility will cause traffic congestion, lowered property values and safety concerns. Plus, they said, the land swap is an “illegal arrangement.”
Site concerns
Sandra Parker, a homeowner near the intersection of 875 and Whitestown Road, said that she recognizes the school corporation’s need for growth and need for a maintenance area.
“People move to Zionsville for the [schools],” Parker said. “And I think everyone sees the need for this facility.”
However, Parker said the current plans and the current location are no good.
“Would you want this facility across from your home?” Parker asked the board. “I don’t.”
Resident of Cobblestone Lakes, Tom Thompson, also stood and addressed the board. He stated that the residents of Spring Knoll, Cobblestone Lakes, Rockbridge and others are concerned about their property values.
He noted that while the athletic facility on 875, which was built several years ago, increased property values, a large and obtrusive warehouse would lower property values.
“We are all equally opposed to this site selection,” Thompson said.
School defends plan
ZCS Board Trustee President Jim Longest told the residents that the board is concerned about the property values of that area.
“Nothing is set in stone,” he said. “We want to be good neighbors.”
Jeffrey Qualkinbush, an attorney with Barnes and Thornburg, spoke as counselor for the school corporation. He said that he strongly advises the school board approve the site location for the maintenance facility.
“In the next several months you must take action,” Qualkinbush said.
He noted that if the school corporation wants to take advantage of fund prior to the refunding of current bonds, the only legal action is to use the 875 land.
“Given the decisions that have been made over the last nine or so years…you’re left with the decision to put the [facility]on 875 somewhere,” he said.
Qualkinbush also said that this location shows a “much more centralized” approach to having a warehouse available for administrative and corporate use, because 875 is near many of the schools.
ZCS Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations, Bob Bostwick, said that the need for a warehouse is very real.
“As we add students there’s an obvious need to build schools,” he said. “But we’ve put our maintenance needs on the back burner…and it is really important that this [facility]is centrally located.”
For more, read next week’s edition of Current in Zionsville.
