Resident Mark Smith urges council to weigh in as cooperative plans large tree removal

Resident Mark Smith told the Indiana Bureau of Council during public comment that roughly 300 trees on a 281‑acre cooperative property are "designated to come down," and warned the loss would harm trails, degrade habitat and increase runoff and local temperatures.

Smith, who identified himself as a White Township resident and a member of Friends of White's Woods, said he spoke to people connected to the cooperative and named Mike Lauer and executive director Lou Carzarelli as contacts. "There's about 300 trees up there that are designated to come down," he said, adding that the site has an approximately "90% canopy." He also said a doctor told him removing the canopy could raise temperatures by about 30%.

Smith acknowledged the cooperative is privately owned and said he was unsure what authority the borough has, but urged borough members to consider what could be done: "I don't know if there's anything that the borough can do," he said, but asked officials to consider reaching out to the cooperative's board.

Council members thanked Smith for attending. The clerk noted the borough has contested similar projects previously and said, "We've waged a battle before. We may do it again," indicating the council might consider a response. Another council member emphasized that any change that increases flooding "is an interest to us."

No formal action was taken at the meeting. Council members and the resident suggested contacting the cooperative's leadership (executive director Lou Carzarelli) and continuing community outreach; the council did not schedule follow-up or take a vote on the issue at this session.