As the editor of the Gazette, I hear the concerns of many. For months, the number one subject is the apparent disconnect between what the residents, businesses, and city officials said they want for development and what the city approves to be built.

The city develops a plan for every parcel of land in the county. The plans that affect us are the Washington Township Comprehensive Plan and the Broad Ripple Village Plan Update (an amendment to the Washington Township Comprehensive Plan). Three cases have recently woken up residents of the northside - a grocery store/condominium development in Nora at 86th and Haverstick Road, and two condominium developments in Broad Ripple, one at 62nd and Winthrop Avenue and the other at 66th and Ferguson Street. In each of these cases the proposed projects do not follow the plan, yet are supported by elected representatives and approved by regulation boards.

The City of Indianapolis spends a great deal of time and money working with the residents to develop the comprehensive plans. These plans show the recommended type (residential or commercial) and density of development that is desired to maintain the quality of life that will attract and retain businesses and residents in an area.

Those supporting the developments say that the plans are old and the times have changed. Fine, let's change the plan. There is a clear process for that. It is not easy. It requires several public reviews before the amended plan is approved. If a proposal is only slightly out from what the plan calls for and the neighborhood supports it, then a rezoning is in order. But, when something way outside of the plan guidelines is requested and is opposed, that is when the proposal should be rejected and the plan should be reworked, if needed.

Another argument I hear is that the plan is only a guideline. Businesses and residents look at the plan when considering where to purchase property. They trust that their financial investment will be protected based on the plan. The plan states that it specifies the goals of the city. If a city-run body approves a proposal that is contrary to that plan, then each member of that body should be required to testify as to specific reasons that this deviation should be allowed.

Let's either make a plan and stick to it or scrap the plan, admitting that it can be easily sidestepped by developers and politicians. That way everyone knows the game.