Key Updates: Wawa Development, Downtown Open House & Gatewood Lakes Improvements
Three things you need to know in the month ahead in the City of Noblesville
Good to see you, Noblesville. The Council has met three times since my last update (February 25th, March 11th, and March 25th).
In that time, I’ve received the most questions on:
The potential for a new Wawa location on 191st and SR-37 (My take & concerns below)
The addition of a new Goddard School on the west side of Noblesville
The Henke development, Gatewood Lakes, on Noblesville’s east side (my take and the changes made to earn my vote below)
Last week, I also launched a new way on my end to increase transparency as one of your representatives in Noblesville. My goal has always been to give you easy ways to share your perspective on our community's future—whether or not you can attend Council meetings.
From now on, in addition to this email, I’ll also be posting updates on Facebook and Instagram to explain upcoming issues, share votes, and outline my reasoning—no fancy production, just clear information.
My goal here is simple: to be straightforward, take you behind the scenes, share my research, and explain how I reach positions on your behalf: from zoning decisions to budget priorities and everything in between — like why the downtown Kroger seems frozen in time.
So what matters to you? What’s something that has always puzzled you about Noblesville? I’d be happy to consider doing a deep dive on it.
Best,
Aaron Smith
317-445-1045
1️⃣ Update on the Proposed Wawa at SR 37 and 191st
Earlier this month, a Wawa proposed at the corner of SR 37 and 191st was introduced to Council and scheduled for Plan Commission review in the middle of the month. Instead of presenting, they requested a continuance.
What’s a continuance? A continuance is a request by the developer or the public to postpone a scheduled hearing. Developers often request continuances when they need more time to address concerns, revise plans, or gather additional information before presenting.
My Concerns & How I Would Have Voted
I shared specific concerns with the developer in our conversations and in public meetings about this location:
Site constraints: The parcel appears too small for the intended use
Traffic flow issues: I believe that the single entrance is positioned too close to State Road 37
Circulation problems: Without being part of a larger development plan, the site lacks additional traffic circulation options
For these reasons, this proposal would not have had my support if it came before council for approval in its current form. I believe we should demand excellence in development projects. Noblesville is in a position to be selective and should say no when proposals don't meet our standards for quality development.
2️⃣ Tonight: Downtown Reinvestment Open House
Tonight (March 27th from 5:30-7PM), the Mayor's Office and design team are hosting an open house in the Council Chambers to present updates on proposed reinvestment efforts for Noblesville’s downtown core. I’ll be there with my daughter and hope to see you there too.
In February, I wrote an op-ed advocating that our community champion a plan that incorporates more bricks, more trees, and more green space above ground, while investing in the road and sewer infrastructure below. I’m looking forward to seeing the full presentation alongside you tonight.
Read more of my public letter in the Hamilton County Reporter published in February »
Let’s preserve Downtown Noblesville’s human touch
Late last month, the City announced the next step in Noblesville’s decades-long effort to invest in and preserve the Hamilton County seat. As someone who both lives in and runs a business downtown, I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen the authentic character that makes the square unique.
3️⃣ The Henke Development on the East Side
In a meeting this month, the Council voted to consider the Henke development on the East side of Noblesville.
When this first came to us, I wasn't ready to vote yes. Henke has a strong reputation for quality development, but I wanted to be sure the final ordinance exceeded the standards I believe we should have for new development in Noblesville.
So I met with the team and was direct: "Here's what would need to change for me to support this project."
I asked for five specific improvements:
First, an avenue to ensure homes would have great front porches. This might sound small, but as we’re looking to better address loneliness this is a way that you actually meet your neighbors. When people sit on their front porches, they wave, they chat, they build community. Developments without them — or with ones too small to actually use — tend to become places where neighbors barely know each other.
Second, strong anti-monotony standards. This means varied home designs, different exterior materials, and diverse color schemes throughout the neighborhood.
Third, quality architecture on all sides of the buildings, not just the fronts.
Fourth, limits on how much of a home's front can just be garage door. When garages dominate the front of homes, it creates streets that feel less welcoming.
Fifth, and importantly, rental restrictions. While I'm a big believer in the free market, and local governments are limited in what we can do, I wanted to ensure we were doing our part to give people starting out the ability to buy in Noblesville and put down roots before anyone else tries to.
The developer listened and returned with a plan that incorporated all these changes. That's when I was ready to vote yes.
Here's why this matters: I want Noblesville to grow in a way that creates real neighborhoods, not just housing units. Places where people actually know each other and love where they live. We're growing as a city, but how we grow is even more important than how much we grow.
Those protections are ones that I’ll always fight for.
Before you go, a few trending stories:
Here are a few stories you may have missed on Noblesville over the past month.
Hamilton County Reporter: Railbike season returns to Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad on April 4
WISH: Indiana Peony Festival celebrates 5 impactful years this May
CBS4: Noblesville gives money for school mental health resources
WISH: Noblesville Schools announces first Hall of Fame inductees
Current: Dutch Bros to open in Noblesville
Hamilton County Reporter: Did someone say brunch?
CBS4: Noblesville applies for grant funding to help with roads
Current: Noblesville Advisory Council on Disabilities explores new ways to grow mission
CBS4: Pedestrian safety upgrades coming to downtown Noblesville