Council approves rezoning to clear way for SK Hynix packaging site after heated public comments

The West Lafayette Common Council voted 6-3 on May 5 to rezone property owned by the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) to an I-3 heavy industrial classification to permit SK Hynix's planned advanced packaging facility on the site known as "Site B," and separately approved a neighborhood-business rezoning along Calborough Road tied to the project.

The vote followed nearly three hours of presentations and more than three hours of public comment, including multiple scientists, physicians and residents who urged the council to delay or deny the rezoning because of health, safety and environmental concerns. PRF and SK Hynix representatives emphasized job creation and economic investment while promising further environmental review and community engagement.

Why it matters: SK Hynix's planned facility is part of a national wave of semiconductor investment tied to CHIPS Act funding and could bring local construction work and an estimated 1,000 operations jobs, PRF and SK Hynix said. Opponents warned that the facility and supporting vendors use chemicals (including PFAS-class compounds in some packaging processes), heavy truck traffic and large water withdrawals that warrant fuller environmental review and stronger assurances before changing long-standing residential zoning.

PRF and SK Hynix presentations: PRF vice president Jeremy Slater told the council the foundation had launched community meetings and an information website and stressed an ongoing dialogue: "We know that tonight is not the end of engagement, but just the beginning," he said. Chad Pittman, PRF CEO, and attorney Chris Schellman explained that Site B was selected because it allows the project to be set back farther from homes and gives "flexibility" for entrance design and landscape buffering.

SK Hynix Senior Vice President N.K. Kim and HSE lead No Hyuk Park described the company's international experience and pledged to meet U.S. environmental rules and industry standards, saying the company would comply with NEPA and local permitting. Kim told the council West Lafayette was chosen for talent and community ties: "West Lafayette was the clear choice," he said.

Safety and monitoring commitments: SK Hynix's HSE team described planned on-site monitoring, air and wastewater controls and joint emergency-response training with local fire agencies. Fire Chief Jeff Need said his department expects to coordinate and train with the company's on-site emergency team. Utility Director David Henderson said the plant would need an industrial waste permit; "they will be required to monthly report to IDEM and the city will be copied on these reports," Henderson said, adding that the reports "are publicly available on IDEM's virtual file cabinet."

Expert and resident concerns: Local and visiting scientists, physicians and public-health professionals cited published studies and experience in other regions to warn of the risks posed by PFAS and volatile compounds used in some packaging steps. Environmental engineer Todd Brady, retained by PRF, countered that "the semiconductor industry is one of the safest industries in the U.S., per OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics," and noted environmental assessments done for other CHIPS projects. Residents emphasized proximity to day-care centers, elementary schools, the Wellness Center and thousands of nearby homes; petitioners said they had submitted roughly 2,700 signatures opposing the Site B rezone.

Process and next steps: Council debate also addressed process and timing. PRF representatives said Site B rose in the national site-selection process after CHIPS-funding considerations and community engagement intensified over the last several weeks. PRF said it would provide a written commitment to downzone Site A to OR (office/research) and that commitment was presented to the council during the meeting. The transcript shows council members pressed for more details and for documents; PRF said a signed commitment was on hand.

Permitting and environmental review remain: The council's zoning decision permits the land-use change but does not authorize construction. Project-level environmental studies, permitting and any NEPA review still must occur before SK Hynix may begin operations. Henderson said wastewater and air permits will be public and subject to state review; PRF and SK Hynix said they will proceed with the CHIPS funding and NEPA steps. The council approved the Site B I-3 ordinance and a companion neighborhood-business rezoning for Calborough Road, which passed 8-1.

Vote and outcome: Ordinance 18 (rezoning for Site B to I-3) passed by roll call, 6 yeas to 3 nays. Ordinance 17 (NB along Calborough Road) passed 8-1. Council members recorded both votes on the record; the project will now move into the permitting and federal NEPA stages.

What the council directed or decided: The action taken is a land-use rezoning; the council did not, and cannot, change federal CHIPS rules or NEPA requirements. Councilors expressed a desire for continued engagement and records access; several councilors explicitly said they expect PRF and SK Hynix to deliver the environmental and operational details required during permit review.

Ending: The rezoning clears a major administrative hurdle for PRF and SK Hynix, but the facility must complete state and federal environmental permitting and provide the technical disclosure that residents and regulators requested. The city, state agencies and the company said they expect future public comment opportunities during permit and NEPA reviews.