January 2025

Presidents Message

Re-Introducing the Village Residents Association

I would like to thank the entire leadership team of the 2024 VRA and welcome those who are willing to return and contribute for 2025! Your efforts are much appreciated by village residents! Now, on to 2025……

Over the last several years many changes have been implemented or proposed that have had an impact on the village we all cherish. Some of these changes have been positive such as adding planters to street corners, re-surfacing village streets, and adding sidewalks and curbs where needed. Other changes have been more controversial and created a good deal of anxiety among village residents. The Village Residents Association (VRA) has strived to be a vessel of communication and information regarding these changes, both proposed and realized.

Going forward, the VRA would like to continue this mission but in a more active role in representing the thoughts and desires of village residents. The reason for this are twofold:

• The VRA is the only formal organization that advocates for village residents. The surrounding neighborhoods have HOA’s that act as advocates and stewards for the interests of those living in those communities. While not an HOA, the village could benefit from a single voice speaking out for its interests.

• The VRA has become more influential in the last few years as an organization the Zionsville town government recognizes as representing the interests of the village. The VRA is often approached by town leaders to vet ideas or discuss activities that could affect residents.

Zionsville is under a great deal of development pressure. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but if done poorly or to extremes, it could result in the Village losing its allure and the special atmosphere all Zionsville residents enjoy today.

Therefore, the VRA leadership team has determined that when major issues surface that could have a significant impact on Village residents, a survey will be conducted of every household within the Village boundaries to determine how every resident feels about that issue. Based on the results of the survey, the VRA will take a position on the issue, and communicate the VRA’s position with the town leadership.  The team will also sponsor communication sessions for residents to learn about issues and have a Q&A with town leadership and other interested parties.

The VRA will also continue its fun traditions that include the Porch Party, the Main Street Picnic, and the Progressive Dinner as well as the Weekly Reminders Newsletter and The Village Voice.

A key goal of the organization in the coming year is to increase VRA membership and participation by becoming a serious advocate for the citizens of the village though communication, outreach to residents, social functions that foster community engagement, and a place where residents can go to be heard and appreciated.

We urge you to renew your membership to the VRA https://zvra.com and share the value of membership with your village neighbors and friends. The dues you pay will help us in our efforts to be a positive force for our village.

I look forward to serving as your President in 2025 and am optimistic that the year ahead will be a great one, not just for the Village, but for all of Zionsville.

If you have any comments, ideas or questions about the VRA please feel free to contact me at president@zvra.com

Mark Walters, ZVRA president

District / Town Representative Message

It seems that everyone is optimistic at the beginning of the new year – businesses, families, communities.  In Zionsville, we have every reason to jump on that bandwagon.  Our optimism comes from living in Indiana’s best and most desirable town and positioning ourselves to make it even better.

We have a Village setting that makes us unique, along with thriving schools, and a rural heritage that represents the roots we all share.  While we celebrate these assets in 2025, we must also consider responsible ways to manage and support them.     

Re-thinking a 150-year-old traffic grid (built before the invention of automobiles!) is a good starting point.  As designed, the proposed road realignment south of Sycamore Street will increase travel efficiency and pedestrian safety while maintain the direct connection between Zionsville Road and our brick Main Street. Protecting and enhancing our historic Village is the very definition of responsible development. 

2025 is also the year that our current comprehensive planning process will be complete.  It will provide a blueprint for how Zionsville evolves in the decades to come.  As Abraham Lincoln famously said: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”  It is in our hands, and we must not just sit back and wait until it is handed to us.  This can be a defining year in the history of our town.     

We have much for which to be grateful in Zionsville. I, for one, am enormously proud of our town and all the people in it.  

From my family to yours, I wish you all a blessed and prosperous New Year!

John Stehr, Mayor of Zionsville

Zionsville Administration Report

At the January 6 town council meeting (7pm at town hall) the mayor will present his administrative report, which contains an update on the Comprehensive Plan and Economic Development.

If you’d like to review the report you can find it here: https://www.zionsville-in.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6377?fileID=12447

Progressive Dinner Recipes

Thanks to everyone who joined the VRA annual progressive dinner in December. Thanks especially to the social committee who made it happen (Debbie, Danielle & Erin). For everyone who provided food, please send your recipe to secretary@zvra.com and we’ll share them in future newsletters. Or if there’s a recipe you’d like, reach out and we’ll try to track it down. Here’s one recipe from the evening: