Commissioners Approve Concrete Plant in Union Township

By: Isabella Zarate

A new development is laying a foundation in Hendricks County, and it could open the doors to similar growth.

Cash Concrete, a Putnam County based plant, will be bringing their services to the unincorporated area of Union Township. 

The 16.69 acre lot is located north of E. US Highway 136, roughly .075 miles west of CR 100 E. 

“I think it is a good location,” Brad Whicker, a County Commissioner, and a member of the Hendricks County Plan Commission said. 

“Is it going to adversely impact a few people,” Whicker asked. “Yes,” he answered. 

“Do they clearly understand that implication? They do not,” he added.

“People just don’t want change,” the commissioner said. 

“I received a notification letter from a law firm indicating that Cash Concrete had applied for a zoning amendment,” a nearby landowner Nancy Jackson, told The Republican.

Jackson, who lives in Indianapolis recently inherited the land from her parents, who have passed. 

The letter, which was sent by law firm Tuohy Bailey & Moore LLP was received by Jackson on May 26. 

Contents of the document included location of the proposed rezoning area, instructions for submitting objections, as well as a date and time for the then upcoming public hearing. 

Jackson filed a complaint with the Plan Commission on June 3 stating her objection on the basis that “if the zoning is changed from agricultural and residential to major industrial this will result in: air pollution, noise, soil and water contamination, reduction/depletion of the water table, destruction of wildlife habitat, traffic congestion, and the need for significant maintenance and repair of US 136.” 

Following the public hearing on June 10th, which included a second recount of Jackson’s, as well as many others’ concerns, the Plan Commission motioned for an unfavorable recommendation. The vote was five to one to not recommend the rezoning.

Brad Whicker, a pro growth advocate was the one against not recommending. 

On June 24th the matter went in front of the County Commissioners. 

“We did not take the recommendation from the Plan Commission,” Commissioner Dennis Dawes said. 

“We voted in a different way.”

It was decided that the rezoning proposal from Cash Concrete would be approved. 

“Some have voiced displeasure,” Whicker explained, but “I assure you there are equal or far greater people that are supportive of it.”

Other than a few houses, the area is currently mostly farmland, but it may not stay that way. 

 “You're going to see more growth, continued growth that's just going to keep going west,” Whicker explained. 

“In the future, if there is another viable use adjacent to [the property]  would we [the commissioners] consider that, I think we would,” he added. 

Cash Concrete did not respond to numerous requests for comment.