Hayes Arboretum moves forward with development amid controversy
As the once beloved nature center moves forward with its plan to sell off 33 acres of its frontage on US Highway 40, the trees start coming down, but not without some lingering controversy.
The Pal-Item reports that 3 adjacent landowners filed suit last week in Wayne Superior Court I seeking to challenge the City’s decision to greenlight the development: 3 residents sue over arboretum
The suit contends the plan commission’s approval of establishing a planned unit development on land zoned greenbelt was unlawful and asks the court to reverse it. The suit also says the Hayes board should have sought a straight commercial zoning for the project to build a shopping center on the Hayes acreage.“The suit cites a number of errors over the last few years made by the plan commission,” said Richmond attorney David Burton, local counsel for the three property owners — Joyce Thornburg, Richard Pugh and Lorraine Levin.
All three live on Woodside Drive east of the arboretum. Their attorney is Bernard J. Pylitt of Indianapolis.
The paper also has covered the appearance of some protesters, reportedly Earlham College students who have appeared amid the clear cutting to question workers and display signs: Protesters try to slow work at arboretum
The Arboretum had the police come out and issue no trespass orders to at least one protester: Protester ordered off arboretum
January 29th, 2008 16:32
[...] So, I guess Kohl’s is cutting a pretty green image. Too bad they decided to put their new local store where our arboretum used to be. [...]