The Quarry Threat — SW Allen County

What Is Being Proposed?

Heritage Group (through US Aggregates) has targeted ~1604 acres in the Little River Valley of Southwest Allen County, Indiana for acquisition, with ~913 acres in the current rezoning application for heavy industrial use. ^{[WFFT Fox 55]}

^{[Inside Indiana Business]} The proposed development includes (read the filed application →):

• A limestone quarry — open-pit mining within a ~710-acre industrial and quarry footprint (I3 + quarry zones), estimated to operate for 80–100 years, with a 7,500 sq ft scalehouse, 20,000 sq ft maintenance shop, and aggregate stockpiles ^{[US Aggregates / Allen County D]}

• Two asphalt plants — each with 4 structures at ~50 feet (oil tanks) and 6 structures at ~85 feet (assumed silos); a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter ^{[US Aggregates / Allen County D]}

• A concrete batching plant — 4 ~100-foot silos, plus 3 additional ~100-foot silos (purpose unspecified); producing silica dust, cement particulate, and heavy truck traffic ^{[US Aggregates / Allen County D]}

• A rail spur — freight rail connection for aggregate transport ^{[WFFT Fox 55]}

The filing identifies at least 7 100-foot silos, 20 additional structures up to 85 feet, a 20,000 sq ft maintenance shop, and a scalehouse ^{[US Aggregates / Allen County D]} — and that is before accounting for crushers, conveyors, and other quarry equipment. Together, these facilities would represent one of the most significant industrial land-use changes in the region’s history. Of the ~1604 acres targeted for acquisition, ~710 acres are proposed for industrial and quarry operations (I3 + quarry zones); the current rezoning application covers ~913 acres.

Where Is This Happening?

The proposed site lies within the Little River Valley in Southwest Allen County — an area that: ^{[WFFT Fox 55]}

• Borders at least eight completed residential neighborhoods
• Is in close proximity to three schools, including Lafayette Meadows Elementary

• Is adjacent to the IU Health Regional Campus (under construction, borders the SC commercial zone of the site) ^{[IU Health (via WFFT Fox 55)]}

• Sits adjacent to Eagle Marsh and Fox Island — protected wetland systems that serve as critical wildlife habitat and regional flood protection
• Is part of the Little River watershed, which connects to downstream communities
• Is near commercial corridors along U.S. 24 and the Coventry shopping area

IU Health has publicly stated:“Operations like a rock quarry introduce noise, heavy truck traffic and industrial activity that can conflict with the healing environment we work hard to maintain.” ^{[IU Health (via WFFT Fox 55)]}

Is the Site Already in an Industrial Corridor?

A central framing in the rezoning application is that the parcels lie within an existing industrial corridor. The county’s own zoning data — pulled from the Allen County public GIS and clipped to a 1-mile ring around the proposed site boundary — tells a different story.

The site itself is not in an industrial district today. Adjacent land is not in an industrial district today. The nearest existing industrial zoning is a handful of acres of light and limited-industrial (I1, I2) and a small Business Technology & Industrial Park (BTI) parcel. There is no Heavy Industrial (I3) zoning anywhere inside the 1-mile ring, and the rezoning application is asking to create that classification here from scratch.

Who Is Behind It?

The applicant is US Aggregates, a subsidiary of The Heritage Group based in Indianapolis. ^{[WFFT Fox 55]} Public zoning filings and county documents are the primary sources. The application can be tracked through the Allen County Planning Services portal and the Agenda Center. ^{[Allen County Department of Pla]} Official filings and technical reports are also available on our Application Documents page.

What Is the Timeline?

Key dates and decision points are tracked on our Timeline page. Public hearings before the Allen County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals are the critical moments for community input.

Why Does This Matter?

Once a quarry is approved and mining begins, the land-use change is effectively permanent for multiple generations. The impacts — to air quality, groundwater, wetlands, property values, and quality of life — would be felt for 80–100 years.

This is the moment to act.

Learn More

• Science & Data — Research on environmental and health impacts
• Maps — See how the proposed site overlaps with your neighborhood
• Take Action — How to make your voice heard