Waste treatment plant opposed by some neighbors

Some neighbors in West Indianapolis are opposed to a wastewater treatment plant planned for the neighborhood.

A Metropolitan Development Commission, MDC, hearing examiner considered the Tibbs Avenue rezoning issue this week.  Planning for the new treatment plant is led by the Ben Davis Conservancy District and member Fred Buckingham said it’s needed to control costs.

“This property is ideal in that it’s directly adjacent to the district system in an outfall,” Buckingham said.

Planners say the proposal is consistent with area land use plans but some residents disagree.  Jessica Seanz,  a member of the West Indianapolis Neighborhood Congress, said the plant will impact quality of life, harm businesses and perpetuate a harmful industrial cycle.

“Because zoning begets zoning, every variance affects the land around it which affects the land around that and so on,” Seanz said.

The rezoning proposal was recommended and the MDC will vote on the issue next month. Neighbors say they will appeal the recommendation. 

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.