A housing development rezoning on the northeast side of Fishers was given final approval Monday night by the Fishers City Council, after a spirited discussion, on a vote of 6-3.
The Courtyards of Fishers will consist of 50 single-family homes near the northwest corner of the intersection at 113th Street and Southeastern Parkway.
Councilor Brad DeReamer said the $650,000 estimated cost of each home will be $240 per square foot, which he considers high and not consistent with seniors looking to downsize. He argued that developments presented to him in his 6 years on the council do not come under regular zoning rules, but are Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) which utilize their own zoning rules worked out with city planning staff.
DeReamer repeated an assertion he has made at previous public meetings. “Developers are running Fishers,” DeReamer told the council.
Councilor Pete Peterson responded, saying PUDs are a good for Fishers. He says developers and the city have worked well together, with staff pushing back with developers where needed. “Our housing stock, it has sold so quickly that people can’t wait to move in here,” Peterson said. “It’s just another affirmation of the things we do correctly.”
Councilor Jocelyn Vare voiced concerns about the timing of this particular development.
Councilors voting no on the rezone were DeReamer, Vare and Crystal Neumann.
“DeReamer repeated an assertion he has made at previous public meetings. “Developers are running Fishers,” DeReamer told the council.”
— You think?!?! When every developer comes along with their hands out for a subsidy and knowing that they’ll be given that and more, it’s not a surprise that this is happening. How many of these units will end up in the hands of out of state “owners” who’ll happily slumlord the property to someone in the city? (see the story in the Star for more details)
More thought for the future needs to be done going forward… maybe a couple year pause in these sorts of things? Maybe focus on limiting the number of mega-corps buying houses for rentals and getting homes back in the hands of actual owner-occupiers? Maybe focus on getting 1 project done on time and on budget first…
I attended the February Council meeting. Three different residents who had never met before spoke expressing the same views concerning developer’s non compliance to PUD standards.
Councilor Peterson’s statement stating that the process works well with push back, well?
The residents speaking were totally ignored as Council members appeared to be in great haste to leave.
A developer can take all the time they want to explain their next big thing; a resident with serious problems gets three minutes. Think about that.
Stronger PUD enforcement is needed, and the etch a sketch zoning methods employed need to stop.