Boone County residents file legal challenge to massive LEAP district
Eleven residents of Boone County filed a legal challenge against the City of Lebanon Tuesday, regarding more than 5,000 acres recently annexed into the city for the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) district.
The LEAP District is a proposed tech and manufacturing park in Lebanon anchored by an Eli Lilly project. The state began putting land under contract as early as November 2021. Gov. Holcomb and the IEDC publicly announced LEAP in May 2022, along with the fact that Eli Lilly & Co. committed to 600 acres for a $2.1 billion project.
In December, the Lebanon City Council approved the annexation of 5,225 acres into the city and zoned most of the land for LP (LEAP), a new zoning classification for specific use within the district, which was adopted at that same meeting in a related ordinance.
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Though the land annexations into the city were voluntary, residents worry that it will change the character of their community, create water challenges and take away valuable farmland, which has long been a part of Boone County's identity.
The plaintiffs argue the project will diminish their property values, their ability to enjoy their homes and will denigrate their health due to increased traffic, noise and pollution.
Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry called the challenge a Hail Mary to stop the LEAP District and that the city "did everything by the book" in regards to the annexation.
"I'm pretty confident that we we'll succeed if this goes to court," he said. "I hope the judge would throw this case out because we don't think there's really any basis for this challenge."
In the complaint, the residents said the annexation was in violation of Indiana Code because it was not included in the city's comprehensive plan, which was adopted in January of 2020.
The residents said that because the land annexed was outside the boundaries of Center Township, which encompasses the city of Lebanon, it was outside the jurisdiction of planning and zoning boundaries under the comprehensive plan.
The complaint also said that the 5,225-acre annexation was in violation of the city's own Unified Development Ordinance, which says that proposed annexations by default be classified as single-family residential unless a concept plan that follows certain mandatory and strict requirements.
The residents are being represented by lawyer Michael Andreoli, of Zionsville.
It's been reported that the state is hoping to purchase up to 10,000 acres for the project, according to the Boone County Innovation district’s website. IEDC chief operating officer and chief of Staff Rosenberg previously told IndyStar the IEDC has identified up to 7,000 acres of land for LEAP, and that the "final number of acres will be determined by the market."
Contact IndyStar business reporter Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Boone County residents file legal challenge to massive LEAP district
