Brownsburg Advisory Plan Commission delays residential development amid traffic study concerns – Current Publishing

Report on the Hawk’s Landing Subdivision Proposal and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Rezoning Request

• Developer: David Weekley Homes
• Project Name: Hawk’s Landing
• Scope: A 72.39-acre development featuring 106 single-family homes, walking trails, and passive green space, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by providing housing and public green spaces.
• Rezoning Request: The proposal seeks to rezone 5.6 acres from Agricultural (AR) to Residential (R-3) to create an access point. This land-use change has direct implications for SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Key Issues in Sustainable Urban Planning (SDG 11)

• Infrastructure and Planning Deficiencies:
  • The project’s infrastructure plan has been altered from a bridge over White Lick Creek to an access road, citing financial unfeasibility. This raises questions about the development’s commitment to resilient infrastructure as outlined in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
  • The developer has not fulfilled a 2021 commitment to limit lot widths west of the creek to under 90 feet, undermining the principles of integrated and participatory planning central to SDG 11.3.
• Inadequate Data for Sustainable Transport (SDG 11.2):
  • A traffic study conducted for the project was deemed insufficient by the commission.
  • Data collection occurred only on weekdays and failed to capture higher-volume weekend traffic associated with the adjacent Connection Pointe Christian Church.
  • This lack of comprehensive data prevents a proper assessment of the project’s impact on safe and sustainable transport systems, a key target of SDG 11.2.

Community and Environmental Impact Assessment

• Threats to Life on Land (SDG 15):
  • Concerns were raised by Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, a pot-belly pig sanctuary located near the proposed entrance.
  • Founder Olivia Head stated the development would “completely disrupt these vulnerable animals,” highlighting a potential conflict with the goal of protecting local biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Community Well-being and Safety (SDG 3):
  • Neighbors expressed concerns about increased vehicle volume and safety in an area already considered “saturated with traffic.”
  • These issues directly relate to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, a core component of SDG 3.

Institutional Response and Path Forward (SDG 16)

• The Brownsburg Advisory Plan Commission voted on October 27 to table the rezoning request, demonstrating the function of an effective and accountable institution as promoted by SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• Commission Directives:
  1. A 30-day continuance was granted until November 24.
  2. The applicant must return with updated and comprehensive traffic findings that reflect real-world usage patterns.
  3. The developer must provide a clarified timeframe and accounting of any future continuances.
• The commission’s decision to demand further data and adherence to prior commitments underscores a governance approach focused on sustainable and equitable development outcomes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the Hawk’s Landing subdivision proposal touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals, primarily focusing on urban development, environmental impact, and governance.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
     This is the most relevant SDG, as the article is centered on a local planning commission’s decision regarding a new residential development. It discusses housing, infrastructure (access roads), public space (green space and trails), and the overall planning process for human settlements.
   • SDG 15: Life on Land
     This goal is connected through the discussion of land use change and its impact on local fauna. The rezoning of land from “Agricultural” to “Residential” and the specific concerns raised by the “Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary” about disrupting “vulnerable animals” relate directly to the interaction between development and terrestrial ecosystems.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
     This SDG is relevant because the article details the function of a local governing institution (the Brownsburg Advisory Plan Commission). The process of holding public hearings, enforcing prior commitments, demanding adequate data (traffic study), and allowing for public comment from neighbors demonstrates the principles of responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
     The major concern about the “unresolved… traffic-study issues” directly relates to this target. The commission and neighbors are worried that the new development will negatively impact traffic safety and volume, especially since the initial study did not account for “weekend usage” near a large church.
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
     The entire scenario described in the article—a plan commission reviewing a development proposal, citing unfulfilled commitments from a previous ordinance, and tabling a decision to allow for more data and public input—is a direct example of this target in action. It showcases the process of managing urban development in a participatory manner.
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
     The development plan itself addresses this target by proposing “106 single-family homes, walking trails and passive green space.” The inclusion of trails and green space is a key component of creating sustainable and livable communities.
   • Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning and development processes.
     The concerns voiced by Olivia Head from “Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary” about the proposed entrance disrupting “vulnerable animals” and the commission’s consideration of these concerns represent the integration of ecosystem values into the local planning process. The decision-making process must weigh the development against its potential impact on the local environment and its inhabitants.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
     The actions of the plan commission exemplify this target. By “tabling” the request instead of outright denying or approving it, they are being responsive to the lack of information and the concerns of residents. Granting a “30-day continuance” for the developer to return with “updated traffic findings” shows a commitment to making an informed decision based on evidence and public input.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not mention official UN indicators, but it implies several practical metrics that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets at a local level.

   • Traffic volume and patterns: The demand for an “updated traffic study” that reflects “weekend usage” implies that data on vehicle volume, peak traffic times, and road safety incidents are key indicators for assessing the sustainability of the transport infrastructure (Target 11.2).
   • Adherence to planning commitments: The commissioner’s statement that “all lots west of the creek would be under 90 feet in width, but the current plan does not fulfill that requirement” points to an indicator for sustainable planning (Target 11.3). This indicator is the rate of compliance with commitments made in zoning ordinances.
   • Proportion of land dedicated to public green space: The article mentions the development includes “walking trails and passive green space” on a “72.39-acre” plot. The percentage of this total area allocated to accessible green space serves as a direct indicator for Target 11.7.
   • Inclusion of community feedback in decisions: The fact that “Neighbors voiced concerns” and the commission’s decision will be based on “updated traffic data and applicant commitments” implies an indicator for participatory governance (Targets 15.9 and 16.7). This could be measured by tracking the number of community concerns formally addressed or mitigated in the final development plan.

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: youarecurrent.com