Petition updatePetition to Stop Heavy Industry Near Our HomesJanuary City Council Meeting: What Was Asked, What Wasn’t Answered
Stop Heavy IndustryWest Lafayette, IN, United States
Jan 11, 2026

Since the May 2025 “Money-Over-Neighbor” vote approving heavy industrial zoning for SK hynix, the West Lafayette City Council has now met eight times, with residents continuing to raise the same unresolved questions about water use, safety, environmental impacts, and property values.

At the same time, SK hynix is continuing to advance permitting and site preparation steps, even as many of the questions raised by residents and formally submitted to City Council remain unanswered or undocumented in the public record.

How do residents get answers?

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AjKjoYobP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The January meeting marked the eighth City Council session since the May 5, 2025 rezoning of 121 acres north of Kalberer Road for a $3.87 billion SK hynix semiconductor facility — and residents are still aksing the same core questions.

During public comment, neighbors from University Farm, Arbor Chase, and surrounding areas stood holding signs printed with question marks, symbolizing the dozens of questions raised repeatedly since the rezoning vote.

As Bangert reported, City Council President Larry Leverenz acknowledged that many questions “should be directed to the person that can answer them,” but added, “Many times, we can’t.”

When residents asked how they were supposed to get answers, Leverenz responded:

“You’re going to have to ambush them someplace.”

Back to the May 5 meeting, Council member Belisario stated that Council was “scrambling to do our own research on limited information.” Given that admission, residents continue to ask:

If our questions cannot be answered even now, what verified documents or analyses were relied upon to justify approving the large-scale I-3 rezoning next to homes and schools at that time?

Residents also questioned why SK hynix has not received the same pause or scrutiny applied to large data center projects elsewhere in the county — particularly given concerns about water use and environmental impact — and why homeowners have been offered no guidance on protecting property values under heavy industrial zoning.

At the same time, the legal challenge to the rezoning is moving forward.

According to Bangert’s report, in December, a Tippecanoe County judge granted residents additional time to gather evidence after plaintiffs argued they were still trying to obtain records that either do not exist or have not been produced. These include:

  • Environmental and health impact studies
  • Chemical and hazardous materials lists
  • Site selection and safety analyses
  • Risk modeling for fires, spills, or explosions

These records are now being sought from multiple entities, including Purdue University, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, IDEM, emergency management agencies, and the Area Plan Commission.

This is not about re-arguing the vote.

This is about whether major decisions moved forward without answers — and why those answers still have not been provided, even as permitting advances.

Permits are where assumptions become binding. They require documentation and defensible records.

What You Can Do Now

If you’re concerned about how this decision affects your neighborhood, your water, or your property:

  • Email city leaders, ask how unresolved questions are being addressed, and remind them that other communities have found better solutions — West Lafayette deserves one tooMayor: eeaster@westlafayette.in.gov
    City Council: CityCouncil@westlafayette.in.gov
  • Contact permitting agencies (IDEM, utilities, emergency management) to request clarity on what reviews are underway and what documentation exists
  • Share verified reporting so neighbors understand what has — and has not — been answered
  • Stay engaged as the court process continues and agencies review permit applications
  • Support the lawsuit seeking accountability and protection for our community: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-our-neighborhood-from-industrial-threat
  • Stay connected and help spread awareness:

 

This is about accountability, transparency, and protecting the community before construction begins.

 

— Stop Heavy Industry Team

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