The Area Plan Commission on Nov. 19 unanimously recommended termination of an existing commitment on 21 acres and recommended approval of a rezone from R‑3 to MR for a planned IU Health hospital.

Counsel Chris Shelman (representing IU Health) described the project as a "shovel‑ready" investment: a $127,000,000 hospital that would include an emergency department, 12 inpatient beds with room to scale, four operating rooms, and on‑site imaging and laboratory services. The petitioner’s presentation projected 211 new full‑time jobs by 2030, including 69 nurses and 29 physicians.

Art Vasquez of IU Health summarized the organization’s long‑term community presence and philanthropic investments and said the site would strengthen local access to medical services without duplicating higher‑level trauma services. "This new site isn't about duplication. It's about making sure access keeps pace with population growth," Vasquez said.

Staff said utilities were sufficient and that the requested change aligns with the recently completed Wabash/Tippecanoe Township plan; the commission voted 16–0 to recommend termination of the portion of the prior commitment affecting the 21 acres and 16–0 to recommend approval of the rezone. A neighbor, Tammy Lindbloom, said she had not had time to fully evaluate the impacts to her adjacent farm but did not formally oppose the petition.

The petitioner said the MR zoning and removal of the commitment would allow a medical use appropriate to the township plan and that buffering requirements in MR would address adjacency to existing R‑2 uses.

Next steps: the matter advances as a recommendation to the governing body that must approve the rezone for it to take effect.