Historic homes face demolition crisis in Zionsville

During a recent town council meeting, concerns were raised about the rapid demolition of historic homes in the village. A resident highlighted that three old village homes are set to be demolished by the end of the year, with one already in the process of being torn down. This particular home, built in 1880, is in good condition and was recently sold for $495,000.

The resident pointed out a troubling trend from 2017 to 2019, where the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the construction of seven large new homes, resulting in the demolition of several historic properties. The average size of the demolished homes was around 1,012 square feet, while the new constructions averaged 3,096 square feet.

To address this issue, the resident urged the town council to consider two key changes: revising zoning laws and implementing regulations on demolitions. They argued that the current zoning laws are too lenient, as the Board of Zoning Appeals has approved every variance request made in the past 11 years. The resident emphasized that zoning laws should protect the community's environment and should not be easily bypassed.

Additionally, the resident noted that Zionsville lacks any regulations to delay or prevent the demolition of historic homes. They called for the council to instruct the Zoning and Variance Board to adopt stricter measures to protect these old homes from being demolished. The discussion highlighted the need for a balance between development and preservation in the village.