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Questions/Input: stopheavyindustry@gmail.com

Website: https://stopheavyindustry.com/

Lawsuit: case status 

January 11, 2026 Update:

At the January City Council meeting, residents again raised unanswered questions about water use, safety, environmental impacts, and property values tied to the SK hynix rezoning approved in May 2025. This marked the eighth council meeting since the vote, yet no new answers were provided on the public record. At the same time, SK hynix is continuing to advance permitting and site planning steps. Neighbors are calling for transparency and documented answers before permits move forward and construction begins.

Read the full update here.

December 20, 2025 Update: West Lafayette is being told that heavy industry is the price of economic growth — but recent developments show the city has real choices. MediaTek’s new semiconductor design office near Purdue highlights a talent- and research-driven path that brings high-skill jobs without rezoning neighborhoods or imposing major environmental and infrastructure risks. At the same time, officials in St. Joseph County listened to hours of public testimony and voted down a massive data center, demonstrating that local leaders can represent residents and say no when a project doesn’t fit. Together, these examples underscore a central truth: West Lafayette can grow by investing in people, research, and innovation — not by reshaping the community to serve a single heavy-industrial project for SK Hynix. Read the full update here.

December 12,2025 Update: SK hynix is continuing a series of small, company-controlled meetings that limit participation and require questions to be submitted in advance — a format that many residents see as a public-relations exercise rather than meaningful engagement. Neighbors are calling for a city-hosted, open public town hall where questions can be asked freely and answers are given on the record. Meanwhile, the City Council has approved $8.1 million in bonds to plan a wastewater expansion connected in part to this project, underscoring why full, transparent public discussion is urgently needed before further commitments are made.

Read the full update here.

November 22, 2025 Update: In Peoria, Amkor agreed to relocate its chip-packaging plant away from neighborhoods. Meanwhile, in West Lafayette, SK hynix is holding small, tightly controlled "community meetings" to continue pushing a heavy-industry megasite next to homes, schools, and wetlands. The contrast is clear: other cities are moving risky projects away from families, while SK hynix is trying to force one into a neighborhood. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has already found PFAS in public water systems across the state—sometimes above proposed federal health limits—yet West Lafayette is being asked to host a massive advanced packaging plant next to where people live. Our lawsuit exists to ensure West Lafayette gets the same protection and precaution that courts and communities elsewhere have already demanded. Read the full update here.

November 16, 2025 Update: Courts across the country are forcing major chemical companies to clean up PFAS pollution, compensate residents, and protect drinking water — clear proof that “trust us” is not enough when heavy industry sits near homes. From the $65 million Hoosick Falls settlement to UN findings of human-rights abuse in the DuPont/Chemours case, communities only get protection after contamination occurs. West Lafayette deserves better: real safeguards, real transparency, and prevention — not regret. Our lawsuit exists to ensure families, property values, and water are protected before harm happens. Read the full update here.

 

November 9, 2025 Update — Purdue Professor Charles A. Bouman has released a detailed, data-driven site analysis showing that the SK hynix plant could have been built safely at the Discovery Park District — away from neighborhoods, wetlands, and schools. His report makes clear that a better option was always on the table. The city and PRF never realeased their own review if there were any, leaving residents to ask the questions officials should have asked from the start.

Read the full update and Dr. Bouman’s analysis.

 

October 30, 2025 Update

Six months after Purdue Research Foundation (PRF) promised to downzone Site A—and despite a unanimous 15–0 recommendation from the Area Plan Commission to approve it—the West Lafayette City Council has now postponed the vote until December 2025. The delay keeps heavy-industrial zoning in place and leaves unfulfilled the very promise that helped push through SK hynix’s controversial rezoning. Meanwhile, Councilor Rabita Rajkarnikar continues to defend PRF, saying she has “complete faith” in the foundation, even as residents call for transparency and accountability. Democracy requires evidence, not blind faith.

Read the full update here.

October 26 Update — When “Planning” Becomes a Free Pass

Most residents don’t realize that once land is zoned I3 (Heavy Industrial), corporations like SK hynix and the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF — the Profit Rezoning Foundation) can build by right, with no new hearings and no community consent.

That “free pass” means explosive gases and toxic chemicals can operate just hundreds of feet from homes, daycares, and a proposed hospital — all inside what safety engineers call the blast-impact zone.

Meanwhile, the Bulldozer Chip Factory (SK hynix) is fighting to suppress community voices in court, opposing a local attorney’s effort to support residents — even as it calls itself one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.”

If this is ethics, what does exploitation look like?

 Read the full update here.

October 22, 2025 Update — SK hynix calls itself “one of the world’s most ethical companies.” Yet in West Lafayette, it’s bulldozing a small American town to push through a toxic industrial project — ignoring 3,000+ residents and basic transparency. Read the full update here 

October 19, 2025 update— PRF’s Zoning Contradictions Deepen

PRF is now backing a new Parkview Hospital beside the SK hynix heavy-industry zone and an existing rocket-fuel facility — the same corridor where it also plans a daycare — placing vulnerable people next to toxic and explosive uses.

Read the full update on PRF’s ongoing push for unsafe, high-impact development here .

October 16, 2025 Update:

PRF and SK hynix are calling a new daycare next to their industrial zone a “gift” — but it sits beside a rocket fuel facility and across from SK hynix’s toxic semiconductor site, exposing children to contamination and blast risks. This is not community care — it’s a tactic to humanize a dangerous project. West Lafayette families deserve safety, not PR stunts.

Read the full update here.

October 12, 2025 update: 

We Pay the Price — SK hynix Takes the Profit.

Our city will pay millions to expand water, sewage, roads, and safety — but SK hynix will pocket half of our property-tax growth for 30 years.

They promised prosperity, but what they’re really building is debt and risk — right next to our homes, schools, and parks.

If Lafayette already has the land, the water, and the infrastructure, why are our families being forced to carry their burden?  Read the full update here. 

October 9, 2025 Update

Accountability Is a Moral Duty

Not one councilor who voted YES on May 5 signed the pledge to protect residents from toxic risk.

Over 3,000 neighbors have spoken — now it’s time for our leaders to show integrity.
Read the full update here.

October 5, 2025 Update: Tippecanoe County is pressing pause on new data centers for extra scrutiny — recognizing the risks of massive water and energy use.

Yet West Lafayette City Council rushed SK hynix through, ignoring the APC’s “no” vote and 2700+ (now 3000+) neighbors who signed this petition.

Join us Oct. 6 at the City Council meeting to demand transparency and accountability. Read the full update here.

October 4, 2025 Update: Indiana’s audit has exposed “significant gaps” and conflicts of interest tied to PRF, led by Chad Pittman, the same group that forced SK hynix rezoning through City Council. If PRF can’t be trusted with taxpayer money, why should we trust them with our neighborhoods?

Speak up this Monday, October 6, at City Council. Read the full update here.

October 1, 2025 Update: Our petition has now passed 3,004 signatures — a powerful milestone showing our community is united to stop heavy industry near our homes. Next step: speak up at the Oct 6 City Council meeting — read the full update here.

September 28, 2025 Update: Our Indianapolis neighbors in Franklin Township just stopped Google’s massive data center, proving that organized communities can win — read the full update here.

September 24, 2025 update: 

Lawsuit won us 30 more days. The judge set another hearing in the next month. Read the update here. 

September 12, 2025 Update:

Why the Lawsuits Matter for Slowing SK hynix:

The lawsuits buy us time. Time is SK hynix’s biggest vulnerability.

If they can’t move fast enough, they risk losing money, support, and momentum. SK hynix’s $3.87 billion chip factory depends on timing. The company is racing against the clock:

CHIPS Act Deadlines: Under the CHIPS Act, SK hynix must begin construction by January 1, 2027 to qualify for critical tax benefits.
Global Competition: Other chipmakers (Intel, TSMC, Samsung) are building fabs at the same time. Falling behind by even a few months can cost SK hynix market share and leverage.

This is why the lawsuits are powerful:

As long as the case is active, SK hynix faces legal uncertainty. That uncertainty alone can slow investment, delay permits, and complicate financing.

If the court allows the case to move forward after the Sept. 23 dismissal hearing, the rezoning approval is no longer a “done deal” — it’s under review.

Every delay puts pressure on SK hynix’s bottom line and their ability to lock in CHIPS Act funding.
 
What You Can Do

Show Up: Attend the Sept. 23 hearing and make your presence known.

Donate: Help sustain the legal fight by contributing here:

https://gofund.me/b4fd1c784

Every voice and every dollar makes a difference. Together, we can hold the line and keep SK hynix accountable.

August 8, 2025 Update:

We acknowledge the West Lafayette City Council’s May 5, 2025 vote to rezone Site B from Residential to I3 (Heavy Industrial).

We reject it.

Heavy industry does not belong in the heart of residential communities. This reckless rezoning prioritizes corporate interests over people—disrupting lives, endangering health, and eroding the integrity of our neighborhoods.  

THIS FIGHT IS NOT OVER! Join us in holding the line against this unjust decision.

Please consider donating to our gofundme for legal fees to fight this rezoning.  Thank you for your support!

https://gofund.me/ff0ebe18

 

HISTORY - As of August 8, 2025, the below section is outdated and no longer relevant. It’s being preserved for our reference and records only, and the links and email addresses no longer work:

Please attend the City Council Meeting 
Monday, May 5th, 6:30pm
Margery City Hall
221 North Chauncey Ave. 
W. Lafayette- across from WL Library 

Raise your voice! - each person has 3 minutes to speak or just attend in support. 

APC (Area Plan Commission of Tippecanoe County) voted NO in our favor! Watch YouTube Recording here.  Our voices started from 2:14:50.

Please read updates

--Email Senator Deery and ask him to publicly oppose the rezone:
Email: s23@iga.in.gov, Senator.Deery@iga.in.gov

--Contact Councilors (CityCouncil@westlafayette.in.gov) to urge for a NO Vote for Z2969 Rezoning following APC’s recommendation!

--Contact Mayor (eeaster@westlafayette.in.gov) to urge for a NO recommendation to city council for community well-being!

.

Click Updates above and read the latest updates for critical next steps

Read Dave Bangert’s latest update.

WL City Council survey: Still unsure on SK hynix rezoning​

Rezoning for $3.8B SK hynix facility gets thumbs down from APC

Read about the serious risks—Emotions run high as experts weigh in on SK Hynix proposed rezone in WL; APC votes it down, 

 

OUR FUTURE if we don’t fight: Netflix’s “Toxic Town” tells the story of the Corby Toxic Waste incident, which has been referred to as the first legal case that connected atmospheric toxic waste and birth defects.

What We Learned： Semiconductor packaging is NOT a warehouse—it involves high water consumption, toxic chemical usage, water and air pollution, constant industrial traffic from semi-truck deliveries and waste disposal, and massive energy demand. 

Watch: https://youtu.be/LzxiUA9NAQ0?si=dK0YaiUD_dgZGw8F

Read: https://cleanair.camfil.us/2017/11/21/toxic-danger-silicon-valley-superfund-sites/​

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/26/lens/the-superfund-sites-of-silicon-valley.html

Check out here, website created by our neighbor!

https://rejectheavyindustryrezoning.my.canva.site/

Click Updates above and read the latest updates for critical next steps
Reach out to councilors 

Reach out to Media

Share Petition and Opposition on Social Media, Use hashtags: #StopI3Rezoning #NoHeavyIndustryNearHomes #WestLafayette

The petition is completely free. You do not have to donate if change.org asks for it. Any donations seem to go to change.org directly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: map provided by a friend and community member.  

To: West Lafayette City Mayor, City Council & Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose the rezoning of land northeast corner of Kalberer Road and Yeager Road from R1 (Residential) to I3 (Heavy Industrial). The area is next to Amberleigh Village, Arbor Chase, University Farm, Greentree Senior Living Community, Community Center, Cumberland Park, close to a nursing home and more! This proposed rezoning would allow heavy industry, including factories and high-traffic industrial operations, directly next to established residential neighborhoods, endangering our community’s health, safety, and property values.

Why We Oppose This Rezoning:

• Air & Noise Pollution: Increased emissions and industrial noise will impact residents’ health and quality of life.
• Traffic Congestion & Safety Risks: More heavy truck traffic will strain roads and increase accident risks.
• Declining Property Values: Industrial zoning near homes reduces desirability and property worth.
• Incompatible Land Use: Heavy industry does not belong next to family neighborhoods, schools, and parks.
   

We Support Economic Growth—But In the Right Location

West Lafayette has plenty of properly zoned industrial areas, like along the US 231 corridor, where large-scale industrial projects fit within existing land-use plans. We ask city leaders to prioritize thoughtful urban planning and direct industrial development to areas that do not negatively impact residents.

Our Request:

We urge city officials to reject this rezoning request and redirect industry development to properly zoned area to preserve the integrity of our residential neighborhoods.

Sign this petition before the city council meeting at 6:30 pm of May 5, 2025 to protect our neighborhoods and keep heavy industry out of our residential communities!

Please note that signing the petition is completely free, and no donation is required. After signing, please confirm your signature through the email sent by Change.org. This step ensures your signature is verified and counted toward the final total. Thank you for your support!