Save the Green Space at 7500 S Sherman Drive: Protect Our Southside Community

We, the residents of McFarland Farms and neighboring Southside communities, urge decision-makers to reject the rezoning and clearing of the property at 7500 S Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46237. This land, a rare natural sanctuary in our suburban area, deserves thoughtful consideration and the voices of the people it impacts.

Why This Matters
A Natural Haven: This wooded property is a hidden gem of the Southside, home to diverse wildlife and local plants. Its clearing would devastate an essential habitat and diminish the ecological balance of our community.
Stormwater Protection: The land plays a vital role in stormwater absorption and flood prevention, benefiting nearby homes and infrastructure. Development risks worsening flooding issues and creating costly drainage problems.
Potential for Public Use: Adjacent to Gray Park, this land offers an incredible opportunity for future public recreational use. Thoughtfully planned trails connecting the spaces could provide residents with new walking, biking, and community gathering areas.
A Strain on Infrastructure: Our neighborhood has faced at least five power outages this year, demonstrating the fragility of the local grid. Additional development will further stress existing infrastructure like electricity, water, and heavily trafficked roads (Southport, Stop 11, Emerson, and Sherman).

Concerns About the Rezoning Process
The rezoning application for this property has moved forward quietly during the holiday season, without adequate communication with residents or transparent public engagement. Even more concerning, I believe the current listed landowners have been deceased for a while, raising potential questions about the integrity of the process.

A Better Future for This Land
This land could remain a wildlife haven and potentially also become a community asset:

Protected as a green space for public enjoyment.
Preserved for its environmental benefits and wildlife habitat.
Integrated into a connected network of parks and trails with Gray Park.

Our Call to Action

Please sign this petition, but also know your attendance at any public hearings may dramatically increase our chances of saving this space.

Learn more about the upcoming public hearing for this location by calling 317-327-5155 or go to Indy.Gov/cp (Case number 2024ZON144) listed on sign from Saffron and Tarragon drive )

Let's ask city officials, community leaders, and decision-makers to:

1.Reject the rezoning and clearing application for this land.
2.Engage with the community to determine a future use that benefits all Southside residents.
3.Protect this vital green space as a legacy for future generations.