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Clermont Continued
An 80-acre parcel at 4705 N CR 1000 E, Brownsburg, is the proposed site for Clermont Village.
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By: Melissa Gibson
On Jan. 26, the Hendricks County Commissioners voted to continue the Clermont Village project proposal to give staff additional time to gather information. They plan to discuss and possibly approve or deny the proposal at the Feb. 9 meeting.
The proposed project is coming with a positive recommendation from the Plan Commission.
Located at 4705 N. County Road 1000 East, Brownsburg the 80 acres would feature a private K-12 school, a community center with multiple use: prayer rooms, classrooms, gymnasium and more, a dormitory for older students whose studies focus on the Koran and single-family detached homes, flats and townhomes.
The Plan Commission asked petitioners to continue working with planning staff, addressing a few issues leading up to the Commissioners meeting to further improve upon the proposal.
Elizabeth Link, representative for the project has met with staff to revise the plan and create additional usable and open space.
Landscape buffers have been added between the proposed property and existing neighbors.
As the property is on unincorporated land adjacent to Brownsburg, the Plan Commission wanted to be sure the Town of Brownsburg was aware of the plan and approved. Link said the “most critical issue of uncertainty raised in the staff report” has been answered by a memo from the Town of Brownsburg to the County staff, stating, “The Town of Brownsburg believes residential and institutional uses in the designated area are appropriate and has no objection to the Clermont Village PUD proposal.”
Petitioners have also added a commitment to prohibit loudspeaker announcements for “Call to Prayer”, a concern raised by some current residents in the area.
Prior to the few concerns of the Plan Commission, the project was in compliance with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and continues to work with traffic engineers and the County Surveyor to address stormwater and drainage issues.
In the meantime, residents of the county are still discussing proposed details and their personal opinion of the project.
More than 60 individuals spoke during the public hearing portion of the Plan Meeting and hundreds of people have written letters and signed petitions both for and against the proposal.
While current flooding issues and property values remain at the top of concerns for citizens, there is an underlying discussion regarding the property’s proposal to include families and students of the Muslim faith.
Some would say a conversation surrounding concern, bias and fear has erupted among local residents.
The Hendricks County Alliance for Diversity (HCAD) organization are strong supporters of the project. The organization works to educate and support diversity in the community and have had many discussions with residents expressing concern.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding,” said Becky Reich, incoming Chair for HCAD. “We don’t know, so we talk about schools, traffic, flooding and other issues as if those things wouldn’t be addressed through the planning process.”
Reich and current Chair Natalie Brake talked about the exclusivity of senior communities, retirement areas and others, often gated with resources added such as a community center, pool and green space. These amenities and private neighborhoods are the current model for many places across the country.
In fact, the largest Islamic center in the country has been in Plainfield for many years and Reich guesses many don’t know the building exists.
“If you didn’t know, then it’s not affecting you and now that you do know, will it affect you tomorrow?” Reich asked.
“We often think if it doesn’t largely benefit me, then it must harm me. It has to be one or the other,” Brake added. What may or may not affect the current residents of the area, having the resources available will certainly affect the Muslim community in a positive way. Many citizens spoke at the Plan Meeting about traveling to Carmel to attend studies and the experiences friends and family have had in communities such as the proposed.
Many brought to light the lack of resources for Muslims in the county, despite the fact that they are working in the county’s hospitals, law offices and IT buildings and do not have the benefit of local religious education and practice near home.
HCAD asks the community, in all areas of diversity to question why certain issues are distressing to you as an individual. “There are people who
are against growth in Hendricks County. There are people who have had bad past experiences. We don’t want to dismiss anyone’s trauma, but ask yourself, if you never had a concern about it before, why now?” Brake said.
“We are not saying people can’t have opinions about the growth and our neighbors, but Hendricks County is way more diverse than people think. Let’s all enjoy our community together.”
It’s News To Us
Birthday parties, new babies, anniversaries, visits from long-lost cousins -- these are the items that make up the kind of local news, you only find in The Republican. If you have a local news item to contribute, you can call or fax us at 745-2777, sent an e-mail to: therepublican@sbcglobal. net or come to the office at 6 East Main in Danville.
Hoop Skills Take Practice
Practice, practice, practice - whether you’re on your way to Carnegie Hall or Hinkle Fieldhouse, that’s the answer. Members of the local basketball league got some practice in during a half-time scrimmage at the Indiana Lyons game on January 30, at Danville’s “Lyons Den.”
Gov. Extends Public Health Emergency
Last Thursday, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed Executive Order 21-02 to adjust the targeted restrictions for counties that have high levels of COVID-19.
He also signed Executive Order 21-03 to extend the public health emergency an additional 30 days.
The Indiana Department of Health has established a color-coded county map that measures weekly cases per 100,000 residents and the seven-day positivity rate for all tests completed. Each county is assigned a color based on the average scores for the two metrics. Restrictions are assigned based on the map, which is updated each Wednesday at www.coronavirus.in.gov.
As of January 31, Hendricks County’s advisory level is Red. This means very high positivity and community spread. When a county is in the Red metric, these requirements remain in effect until the metric has returned to Orange or lower for two weeks.
Under the adjusted requirements, social gatherings or events are strongly recommended to be limited to 25. If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 25 percent of a facility capacity.
Face coverings are required for all Hoosiers. Businesses of all types are required to place clearly visible signs at their public and employee entrances notifying all that face coverings are required.
NWHSC Offers Cubs Preschool
North West Hendricks School Corporation Cubs Preschool is located at North Salem Elementary School. This is an exciting program for our youngest community members and their families.
The parent handbook and registration forms,that explain the program in detail, are locatedon the NorthWest Hendricks Schools’ website, www.hendricks. k12.in.us
Class is limited to 18 students. Virtual Open House videos have been created to discuss important components regarding Cubs Preschool and can be found on the website.
Applications are now being accepted.
If you have any questions in regards to the program, you may call the North Salem office at 317- 994-3000 for more information..
William Allen White
Parks PlaceIn Our Future
Making Room For Nature
how words sum up the mission statement of Hendricks County Parks and Recreation and serve as an introduction to the draft of the HCP&R’s Master Plan for the next five years. The document is available to read on the website
at hendrickscountparks. org. With the wintry days that are sure to be ahead of us comes an opportunity to get to know more about our park systems, the people behind them, and their value both in the present and in the future.
The Park Board was established in 2000, a comparably recent addition to county government.
The document breaks down funding sources, explains the make-up of the Park Board and staff, and the state of all public parks in Hendricks County.
There’s also a section on HCP&R’s latest project, the W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, now in Phase 1 of its development.
A section containing feedback from public surveys is featured in the document.
To understand the value of parks to people, Mc- Cloud Nature Park and the Vandalia Trail between Amo and Coatesville has seen a major increase in activity since the pandemic began almost a year ago. While park programing has had to adapt to social distancing and some events have had to be canceled, the number of visitors has increased.
The people who helped create Hendricks County Parks & Recreation would never have imagined how important their work would be to a world gripped by a pandemic.
Take a “snow day” and browse the draft of HCP&R Master Plan. You’ll learn the effort it takes to make nature available to everyone.
One of the first projects in the development of Mc- Cloud Nature Park was re-establishing a typical Hoosier prairie wth native grasses and flowers. ______________________________________________
Pittsboro Farmers Market Wants Vendors
The Pittsboro Parks Department is taking applications for the Linda Ash Farmer’s Market running from May through September at the Pittsboro United Methodist Church.
The market takes place each Wednesday from May 5 until Sept. 29. The market is open 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. from May to Aug. and until 7 p.m. in Sept.
Vendors can sell their products on a week-byweek basis and do not have to commit to being at the market each week. Booth location is first come first serve basis.
“Last year the market had 150 to 200 shoppers with over 20 vendors each week while having COVID restrictions in place,” said market manager Scott R. Smith. “We hope this year restrictions will lift and we can have a children play area, live music monthly, and places for people to gather during the evening.”
There is a onetime $25 processing fee for vendors for the year. This money will only be used to promote the farmers market during the season.
If you would like more information please visit the Pittsboro Parks Department Facebook page or email Scott.PittsboroPNR@ gmail.com.
Fish Dinner At Legion Post
The ol’ fishin’ hole is still in hibernation, but you don’t have to wait til spring to catch a meal. American Legion Post 118, 846 S. SR 39, Danville, will host a Fish Dinner on Friday, February 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. Eat in or carry out. The public is invited to attend. __________
Appointed By Governor
Mark Gant, of Brownsburg, was recently appointed to the Occupational Safety Standards Commission by Governor Eric Holcomb, to serve until January 31, 2024.
Gant is retired from Rolls Royce and Safety Management Group.
HCHS Pet Food Pantry
Hendricks County Humane Society’s Pet Food Pantry is still operating. You don’t have to be an existing Pet Food Pantry recipient - just call 317-745-3338, answer some simple informational questions, and you can receive dog or cat food (& litter) as available. Arrangements will be made for pickup.
The HCHS Pet Food Pantry is part of the County Food Pantry Coalition, and also participates in three Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry distributions. For more information about the Hendricks County Humane Society, visit the website at hendrickshumane.org.
John Ruskin
Loan Medical Equipment
Hendricks County Senior Services maintains a limited supply of medical equipment available for loan for residents of Hendricks County as part of the Danville Rotary Club Foundations, Inc’s Durable Medical Equipment Loan program.
Equipment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no charge for borrowing the equipment. Donations are graciously accepted to help offset the cost of maintaining the equipment. We offer walkers, wheelchairs, rollators, and canes. Call the Senior Center for more information at 317-745- 4303.
