green space lost
Hayes Arboretum is a privately run foundation in Richmond, Indiana, that for years has provided the community with access to hiking trails, bird watching, nature education, and much more. The foundation has struggled with money in recent years, and after scaling back its staff and programs, determined that it should sell off 33 acres of the property that borders Highway 40 for development. The foundation stood to clear several million dollars through the sale. In order to complete this plan, they sought to have the parcel rezoned for a planned unit development.
Many of the longtime users (they actually used to be called “members,” but it is not clear what they were members of) were outraged by the proposal, noting that the foundation had made little effort to raise the funds through other means before moving forward with the sale. A group of citizens banded together to block the rezoning, and the whole issue ended up at the steps of city hall. After several contentious meetings, the democratic mayor vetoed the rezoning, putting the sale on hold.
The foundation then turned and sued the city for over 8 million dollars. Today, it appears that the issue is coming to a compromise. The mayor states that formal mediation has resulted in an agreement to reverse the veto and permit the development of the 33 acre parcel. In exchange, the foundation will enter into a 40 year covenant not to develop any additional portion of the arboretum.
Read more here.
