Logansport council approves transfer of part of Dunwoody Park to redevelopment commission over residents’ objections

The Logansport Common Council voted 4–3 on Monday to transfer six southern lots at Dunwoody Park to the Logansport Redevelopment Commission for development associated with Peak Community Services.

The vote on resolution 2025-128, which replaces an earlier proposal that failed, comes after several committee meetings and public comment sessions in which the parcel count and building plans were repeatedly scaled back. Councilman Dave Morris moved to table the earlier plan; council later rejected resolution 2025-119 and approved the amended measure that limits the transfer to the southern lots and reduces the number of planned buildings.

Council members and city staff described the final proposal as a series of compromises arrived at after residents raised concerns about parking, roadway access, tree loss and wildlife. Councilwoman Susie Walmsley, who introduced the original resolution, told colleagues she and staff had worked to narrow the scope and that an alternative resolution better reflected those changes.

Residents who live adjacent to the park urged the council to preserve trees and to require safeguards. Patricia Babcock, who lives on Davis Road, suggested a practical change to reduce street parking pressure: "If you could somehow ... make an alley right behind our houses ... then we can put a pad down and create more parking behind our houses," she said. Robert Arnold, an Eighteenth Street resident, warned about construction traffic on the dead-end street and urged careful planning.

Some public commenters raised environmental and legal concerns. Paul Wilhelm argued the city had not completed federal wildlife reviews and said, "there are eagles all the time," urging the city to secure studies and permits before transferring land. The council did not cite a completed federal survey record during debate.

Peak Community Services CEO Chris Neighbors addressed the council and residents, describing the program that would operate in one of the homes: "This here is one house, group home. You have to visualize this as a single residential facility." Neighbors said group-home residents are limited by state law and described staffing and transportation plans designed to keep vehicle activity on site.

After public comment and additional discussion among council members, the council voted 4 in favor and 3 opposed to approve resolution 2025-128. Councilmembers Dave Morris, Hailey Zinsmaster, BJ Cox and Susie Walmsley voted yes; Scott Peede, Chris Howard and Cameron Austin voted no.

Council members said the approved transfer covers only the southern wooded lots and that additional adjacent lots along the river will remain under parks or city control and subject to separate review. Some residents urged the city to require privacy fencing and to preserve as many trees as possible; Peak Community Services said it plans to retain shade trees and install a privacy fence but is not legally required to do so.

The transfer does not immediately authorize construction. Any future building permits, site plans, setbacks and stormwater measures must follow normal planning and building-review processes.

Council members suggested further neighborhood coordination as construction planning proceeds and said contractors would be expected to minimize disruption during work.

The council approved the amended transfer despite repeated resident requests for more time and for a public hearing on the revised proposal.