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Residents urge school board to oppose proposed quarry and asphalt plant near Lafayette Meadows
Summary
Three nearby residents told the MSD Southwest Allen County Schools board that a rezoning application by the Heritage Group for a limestone quarry and asphalt plant threatens student health, property values and learning; the board reviewed draft guidance on weighing development near district facilities but did not take a formal opposition vote.
Three residents told the MSD Southwest Allen County Schools board that they want the district to oppose a proposed limestone quarry and asphalt cement plant less than two miles from the administration building and immediately adjacent to neighborhood schools.
At a public-comment period that opened the meeting, Emily Bowler, who said she lives on Boy Road, said the Heritage Group submitted a rezoning application that neighbors learned about only within the last two weeks. "They're proposing to build the asphalt cement plant on the east side of Homestead Road ... and the limestone quarry on the west side," Bowler told the board, and she urged attendance at upcoming public meetings.
Why it matters: speakers said children who attend Lafayette Meadows and nearby schools will be exposed to silica dust and plant emissions that can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions and that quarry blasting and truck traffic would disrupt classrooms and learning. Andrea Milleman, who identified herself as a nearby resident, told the board the county review bodies involved will include the Allen County Commissioners, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Allen County Plan Commission and said "it is impossible to fully mitigate the effects of the quarry." Sean McCarthy cited community health problems he said have followed quarries elsewhere and said nearby home values could fall "between 5 and 20% depending upon their proximity."
Board response and process: the board reviewed a guidance document (included in the board packet) that outlines when the district may formally comment on development proposals that might affect student and staff safety, the learning environment, facility integrity or operational efficiency. Dr. St. John told the board the guidance is advisory — not policy — and listed potential board responses after reviewing evidence: support, support with concerns, remain neutral or formally oppose a proposal. Several board members thanked the residents for raising concerns and said they will follow the county review process; at least one board member expressed personal opposition to the proposed quarry but no formal district opposition was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Votes at a glance: the board approved several procedural and capital items during the same meeting (voice votes unless otherwise noted).
• Consent agenda (minutes, bills, payroll and personnel recommendations): approved by voice vote. • Homestead High School overseas field trip (Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu, June 2028): approved (motion/second; voice vote). • Six board policy revisions (board policies 4010, 4015, 4025, 4085, 4115 and 4170): approved to align with recent leadership and legislative changes. • Land maintenance service agreement for 58 acres on Neuer Road: approved; the agreement formalizes continued farming arrangements and includes a notice period. • Permission to advertise bids for a sidewalk project (Homestead Road to central maintenance building): permission to advertise approved; bids to be received April 8 and award returned April 14. • Summit Middle School track/turf and lighting improvements: bids awarded to the lowest responsive bidders with an estimated combined project cost reported below budget. • K–8 elementary and middle school renovation design-build: after a best-value calculation, the board approved awarding the design-build contract to Michael Kinder and Sons.
What the meeting did not do: the board did not vote at the meeting to take a formal position for or against the quarry rezoning before the county bodies; board members said they would continue to gather evidence and could choose to comment formally later in the process in accordance with the guidance document.
Next steps: public meetings on the developer's proposals were referenced by speakers; residents were encouraged to contact county decision-makers and attend the scheduled community meetings. The board's guidance document will be the framework for any future district comment or formal action.
Sources: public commenters Emily Bowler, Andrea Milleman and Sean McCarthy during the March meeting; Dr. St. John and board discussion about the guidance document. The board packet included the guidance document and referenced county bodies that will review rezoning.
