Hamilton County tables interlocal agreement on Dunbar Road after residents object to planned trail

The Hamilton County Council voted Aug. 6 to table an interlocal agreement with the town of Sheridan that would let the county design and construct improvements to Dunbar Road, including a planned multiuse trail. Councilors agreed to pause the item for one month so county staff can ask the Indiana Department of Transportation or the metropolitan planning organization whether removing the trail would jeopardize the project’s federal or state funding.

Residents who live on Dunbar Road told the council the trail would encroach on private property, remove large trees and damage property values. "The path would require removal of over 14 trees . . . from my property alone," said Candy Ganzwell of 22711 Dunbar Road, adding that neighbors face the loss of dozens or hundreds of mature trees. "The trail will render my house unsellable," she said. Jeff Beals of 21645 Dunbar Road called it a "trail to nowhere," and Blake Alexander said he worried increased nighttime activity linked to the adjacent water park could bring noise and safety concerns.

Council members and county staff said the agreement as written is high level and that detailed engineering exhibits were missing from the packet. County staff said the project was applied for with a trail included, that federal funds awarded to the project do include construction of a trail, and that design work has not advanced far enough to show the trail’s exact impact on individual properties. A county speaker said the trail is currently planned for the east side of Dunbar Road and that design adjustments to avoid trees are possible but have not yet been developed.

Council discussion focused on three questions raised by residents: (1) Where are the engineering exhibits that show the proposed improvements; (2) can the interlocal agreement be tabled to gather more information; and (3) whether the trail can be removed from the funded project. County staff said the exhibits should have been included with the packet but that no detailed plans exist yet because the project paused during reorganization. Staff also said Sheridan has already approved the interlocal on its side.

A motion to table the interlocal agreement for one month passed on voice vote after a council member said staff would "see if Brad can get a yes or no" from the state on whether removing the trail would jeopardize funding. The motion passed with those present answering "Aye." The council directed staff to ask the relevant state agency whether an amendment removing the trail from the funded scope would affect the award and to report back at the next council meeting.

Why it matters: The agreement affects private property, tree removal and pedestrian access around a planned water park and related development. Residents said the trail could remove privacy and mature trees and reduce property values; county staff said the trail was included in the original funding application and that building it now uses available federal funding.

Next steps: County staff will inquire with state funding authorities and report back to the council at the next regular meeting; because Sheridan approved the interlocal on its side, residents and Sheridan officials were urged to participate in the follow-up discussion.