📢 Protect Our County Roads

A privately owned saw mill is planning to be built impacting several residential county roads in Lawrence County, Indiana. While this project may move forward quietly, its impact on the surrounding community will not be quiet at all. The impacted area in discussion includes County Road 100 East (South Meridian Road), County Road 980 South (Kelso Road), Boone Lane and State Road 60 East.

The location sits directly in the back yards of multiple homes, placing activity in the immediate vicinity of residential properties. This raises serious concerns about daily living conditions, safety and long term land use compatibility. Some trees on the property have already been removed and as operations expand, the remaining wooded areas are likely to become barren, reducing natural buffers that would currently help shield nearby homes from noise and visual impact. The operation is expected to bring continuous wood processing activity to an area currently defined by peaceful daily life. These county roads and surrounding properties were never intended to support daily industrial use. They serve homes, families, school buses and daily travel. In addition to road strain, saw mill operations can introduce dust, noise and environmental disturbances that affect outdoor enjoyment, property use and overall quality of life. 

Residents along these roads received limited notice, yet the long term effects could reshape the area for years to come. An operation such as a saw mill being in direct proximity to homes can also contribute to a decline in surrounding property values, especially when noise, traffic and environmental impacts are present.

This petition is not anti‑business; it reflects a commitment to community well being, safety and responsible land use planning. While private saw mills are traditionally located in rural county settings with substantial acreage separating them from nearby residences, this area of the county features homes situated in much closer proximity. As a result, the operation would be directly positioned and impacting multiple homes, despite being described as located on a larger parcel.  


🚨 What We’re Asking For

By signing this petition, you are urging county leadership to:

Conduct a full review of projected road and traffic impacts


Evaluate effects on nearby homes and rural residential areas


Prioritize safety, infrastructure and responsible land use  


📬 Who to Contact

Lawrence County Commissioners: 

Oversee county‑level project approvals

Jeff McKnight

District 2 Commissioner

Phone: 812-278-6078  

Lawrence County Highway Department: 

Responsible for road safety and infrastructure

Brian Sowder

Superintendent

Phone: 812-275-2644  

Lawrence County Surveyor’s Office: 

Reviews drainage and land‑impact issues

Cory Allen

Surveyor

Phone: 812-279-2159 


✍️ Add Your Name

The peace that defines this part of the county will be gone. We need to preserve our roads and homes before it's too late. If you care about preserving rural communities and giving residents a real say in what happens to their own backyards, sign this petition.

Your signature helps ensure that decisions affecting our roads and homes are made with full community awareness and input.