November 2005

Issues of Concern

Many of the checks and balances that keep citizens safe, protect their property, and are guidelines for developers, appear to have been ignored, in pursuing the objective of development in the County.

Developers believe they are doing the right thing-- but we believe they are misjudging the impact on our communities. Some developers have done nice things for the community, but their proposed developments are negatively impacting our schools, the environment, and the costs to the taxpayers of the County.

Building residential homes costs the taxpayers money in services, while commercial development and farmland decreases costs. Every new home built in an area adds 1.5 children to the school system. The quality of our educational system will be affected and the costs to taxpayers will substantially increase.

Fire Departments/EMS

The impact of future development on the response time for Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services is a safety issue. Many areas of northern Dearborn County are serviced by fire departments and EMS from other counties, and some of the departments are having economic problems.

Land Use Principles

Dearborn County's Comprehensive Plan provides the guidelines for land use and development. The Comprehensive Plan's Land Use Principles stated below are examples of these guidelines. After you read about the developments mentioned in the following articles, ask yourself if you believe the Land Use Principles are being followed.

"2. Land uses that create fiscal deficits must be balanced with and should not be encouraged without land uses that have positive fiscal impacts."

"4. Plan and direct growth to the extent that it can fairly balance the rights of landowners with community needs. As part of the planning effort, the entire community must work together for growth that stresses conservation of farmland and open space in rural areas as a way to preserve the local economy and to preserve a high quality of life."

"9. Restrict development where floodplains, unstable soils, steep slopes, significant road slips, or other natural hazards exist. Development that increases these hazards for existing, surrounding land uses shall also be restricted."

Whitewater Point Subdivision

This 124 lot development will be located off of a new proposed road between Barber Rd., and Chappelow Ridge. Barber Rd. enter SR-46, less than one mile from the I-74 Brookville Exit.

Barber Rd. is next to the Whitewater River, a flood plain area. This area should be an environmentally protected area because of the river and wildlife. There are two historic farms, which have been in the same families for over 100 years, and are located next to each other as you enter Barber Rd.

Our public officials rezoned this rural area from Agriculture to Residential, and the subdivision is pending, waiting or the geotechnical study results for the proposed road from Barber Rd. to Chappelow Ridge. The Comprehensive Plan states that slopes with gradients over 20% should be avoided for clearing, re-grading, or construction

* Portions of this site exceed 20% slopes.

No one should underestimate the hazards and expense in developing a hillside with over a 20% gradient.

Experts have warned that if public officials do not make the developer build the road properly, it will cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in repairs.

(When citizens presented their serious concerns at the Plan Commission and Board of Commissioners meetings, regarding this rural/environmental area, a hillside with over a 20% gradient, and traffic issues, the public officials did not speak to the citizen's concerns or acknowledge their issues. Citizens signed 300 petitions against the development.)

Safety Issues Ignored

When estimating traffic on a road, the Traffic Department estimates 10 automobile trips per day, per household. Combining the current homes on Chappelow Ridge and Barber Rd., plus 124 new homes, increased traffic of over 1600 cars per day from Barber Rd. to SR-46 will occur.

The Brookville Exit off of I-74 to the intersection of SR-52 and SR-46 is about 2 tenths of a mile, and from the SR-52/SR-46 intersection to Barber Rd. 6 tenths of a mile (including crossing the Whitewater Bridge). The Whitewater Bridge is about 330 feet from Barber Rd., and it is difficult seeing cars coming from the bridge. With all of this potential for traffic snarls, and accidents--

* a transportation (traffic) study was not required of the developer.

New information regarding Whitewater Point

It would appear that information has not been forthcoming about what is going to happen in the Barber Rd. - Chappelow Ridge area. The plan commission only approved 124 lots for the Whitewater Point Subdivision.

However, a draft of the Sanitary Sewer Engineering Study for the Proposed Whaitwater Point Development by the Town of St. Leon states, "The development is intended to proceed in phases, with total build out over 8-10 years.

	Phase 1: 40 total homes
	Phase 2: 125 total homes (We are assuming the 125 includes the 40 homes in Phase 1.)
	Phase 3: 125 + 100=225 homes...

This demonstrates why ordinary citizens feel powerless. Is it true---while the County is planning a Land Use Map for the next 25, 50+ years affecting our communities, developers only need to share their expansive plans piece-by piece?