ANDERSON, Ind. —
There has been a month of intense public discussion about Anderson Fast Forward, Mayor Kevin Smith’s proposal to annex nearly 21 square miles of new land into the city.
Thursday night, the decision of how, or whether, to move forward with that plan once again falls on the shoulders of nine members of the Anderson City Council.
Privately and publicly, council members have said they generally agree with the mayor’s goal of annexing land along Interstate 69 southwest of city limits for economic development and continued job creation.
But the shear size of the proposal makes most of them uneasy.
At the council’s February meeting, members tabled the proposed annexations while they sought answers to questions and input from their constituents and affected property owners.
City Councilman Ollie Dixon, D-District 4, said he’s talked with approximately 200 people about the proposed annexation.
“Everywhere I go people are expressing their concern, and I’m getting it both ways,” Dixon said. “Even from people in the inner city,” some of whom are worried that extending water and sewer service into currently unincorporated areas of the county will cause a loss of city revenue.
Dixon said he supports jobs growth and an expansion of commercial property and businesses on both sides of I-69 north of Anderson.
He and other members of the council declined to say exactly how they plan to vote.
“I’m going to wait right up until the final moment before making my decision,” Dixon said.
Joe Newman, D-District 6, said Wednesday he still had some questions about fire and sewer service and planned to attend a meeting of the council’s Democratic caucus in the evening.
“Other than that, I’m going in there with an open mind,” Newman said of Thursday night’s meeting.
Anthony “Ty” Bibbs, D-at large, said he is looking forward to hearing from both sides on the question.
Art Pepelea, R-District 5, figures public opinion on the annexation is running about 10-1 against. Pepelea said he generally supports annexation, “but not this particular annexation,” which he said has been handled unprofessionally.
The only member of the City Council who has consistently supported the plan from day one is Russ Willis, R-District 1.
“I think it is in the best interest of all the people in the community because of the job opportunities that will come from it,” Willis said. “I sincerely hope the vote will not come down to political considerations, but what’s in the best interests of the city.”
The goal of Anderson Fast Forward is to stabilize Anderson’s population and property tax base, and create an economic development corridor by capturing the remaining frontage along I-69 to the Madison/Hamilton County line.
The proposed northeast annexation would absorb about four square miles in Union and Richland townships, add 2,900 to Anderson’s population, 1,163 homes, five businesses and 25 miles of roads to the city.
The southwest annexation would extend Anderson’s city limits over to the Hamilton County line, positioning it to take advantage of commercial, industrial and, hopefully, residential growth moving north from Indianapolis, Fishers and Noblesville.
Since it was first unveiled last month, public opinion seems largely against either annexation. Property owners in both areas see Anderson Fast Forward as nothing more than a land grab that would come with costs and no benefits.
A group of Lapel area landowners last week petitioned the Lapel Town Council to annex a strip of land that would block Smith’s proposal. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for April 4.
Smith said on Tuesday he doesn’t have a good feel for how Thursday night’s meeting will go.
“It’s an important decision on their shoulders right now,” Smith said. “The future of Anderson is truly in the hands of nine council members.”
Find Stu Hirsch on Facebook and @StuHirsch on Twitter, or call 640-4861.
Anderson Annexation
Related Photos
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The intersection of State Road 13 and 38 is part of the area that Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith proposes to annex as part of a new growth initiative for the city. The proposed southwest area for annexation covers 17 square miles. John P. Cleary
Discussion
City Council could decide annexation questions tonight
Decision is important, mayor says
- Anderson Annexation
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Lapel officials move forward with super-voluntary annexation
The Anderson City Council killed Anderson Fast Forward last month, but a proposed super-voluntary annexation designed to keep Anderson at bay is moving ahead.
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Council members: Annexation failure could foster cooperation
In the end, there was probably little chance Mayor Kevin Smith’s expansive Anderson Fast Forward annexation proposals would be approved. They were large, complex, costly and controversial from the outset. Thursday night, the City Council rejected both plans.
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Council votes down annexation efforts
The Anderson City Council on Thursday night rejected Mayor Kevin Smith’s Anderson Fast Forward Annexation proposals. The vote on the proposed northeast annexation was 7-2; the vote on the proposed southwest annexation was 6-3.
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City Council could decide annexation questions tonight
There has been a month of intense public discussion about Anderson Fast Forward, Mayor Kevin Smith’s proposal to annex nearly 21 square miles of new land into the city. Tonight, the question of how, or whether, to move forward with that plan once again falls on the shoulders of nine members of the Anderson City Council.
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Anderson annexation: Question one
With Anderson City Council set to consider an ambitious annexation plan Tuesday, questions abound about the short- and long-term impact of the plan abound. Key among them: What impact would annexation have on the Mallard Lake landfill?
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Anderson annexation: Other key questions
The City of Anderson is proposing to annex more than 20 square miles of property, most of it giving the city more access to Interstate 69 to the southwest and a smaller portion on the northeast side of the city. Here are answers to 19 other key questions.
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Debate rages over Anderson’s proposed annexations
“Anderson Fast Forward is the largest public policy proposal the city of Anderson has been engaged in since 1957,” Mayor Kevin Smith told The Herald Bulletin’s editorial board recently. He calls it a defining moment in charting the city’s future.
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Editorial: On balance, annexation in community’s best interests
While residents of affected areas have many valid concerns, annexation would be a boon to Anderson — and what’s good for Anderson is generally good for Madison County.
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Live chat: Discuss annexation with Stuart Hirsch
Herald Bulletin reporter Stuart Hirsch is answering your questions and responding to your comments regarding the city of Anderson's proposal to annex about 21 square miles of land on the city's northeast and southwest sides. Join us now by clicking here.
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