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  • WRTV

    Sheridan plans merger with Adams Township to control population growth

    By Taj Simmons,

    2024-07-12
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3eqenn_0uPKwELm00

    SHERIDAN — Hamilton County has doubled its population since 2000, but one community hopes to preserve its small-town charm by taking control away from the county.

    Sheridan and Adams Township would merge if voters in the community approve a ballot measure in the November election.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2w4k8i_0uPKwELm00 WRTV

    If the measure passes, the two governments would combine and Sheridan would have jurisdiction over all municipal functions within the township's current borders.

    "We know we're going to grow; we just don't want to explode and we want to have control of it," said Adams Township board member Ron Stone, who is also president of the Sheridan Historical Society.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2YasjV_0uPKwELm00 WRTV

    Stone believes the move is necessary because Sheridan's vision to stay intimate does not align with Hamilton County's goals for growth.

    "Sheridan has no control over the zoning outside of the Sheridan limits. The county can pretty well do what they want to do," Stone said. "I think every small town wants to have control of their community."

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Htn7l_0uPKwELm00 WRTV

    3,106 people live in Sheridan, according to the 2020 Census. It only grew by about 600 people since the 2000 Census.

    In comparison, Hamilton County's population grew from 182,740 in 2000 to an estimated 371,465 in 2023.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2jg6ej_0uPKwELm00 WRTV

    Artist and Sheridan native Melinda Spear-Huff initially moved away for college, but came back and opened up an art studio on Main Street.

    "We turned the upstairs into our living space," Spear-Huff said. "It's low-key, and I think I'm a low-key person so it fits."

    Both Spear-Huff and Stone still want more people to move to Sheridan, as long as the community keeps its small-town charm.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1rUe84_0uPKwELm00 WRTV

    "I want what's best for the community and I don't want our town gobbled up by what's coming closer to us," Spear-Huff said. "It's important to protect it, but it's also important to move forward."

    "You look at Whitestown, Zionsville, and Thorntown. They're having the same issues," Stone said. "They want to protect their identity and that's what we want to do here."

    Related Search

    Adams townshipSmall town growthPopulation growthLocal governmentCommunity controlPopulation control

    Comments / 1

    Add a Comment
    Dan M
    07-13
    Ooooh, this is gonna piss off Henke and the Chatham Hills folks. The county commissioners are already mad cuz they want to see $700k houses everywhere to boost property taxes (that pay for all the tax breaks to their cronies).
    View all comments

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