The 96-page Allisonville Road Corridor Study has been released and was explained in detail during a City Council Work Session Monday night. During the regular meeting, the Council approved a resolution adopting the study’s findings, but only dealt with the “vision” of the report at this point in time.
Mayor Scott Fadness said the steering committee, made up of people tied to the area north of 106th Street to 126th Street, told city officials what is most important to them in developing the area. That included a focus on green development, attention to the surrounding neighborhoods, and lighter density compared to downtown Fishers.
But the mayor cautioned that this will not necessarily happen quickly. “We can do this over a period of time,” the mayor told Council members.
Council President John Weingardt said this area was the commercial center of Fishers when he moved his family here in 1992. He said the planned development “to revitalize this area, I think, is very important for our community.”
At-Large Councilor Jocelyn Vare abstained from voting on the resolution, saying the 96-page report was only made public a few days ago. She is generally supportive of the study and the people involved in producing it, but wants more time to digest the findings. “I wish we could have the enthusiasm and the time as a community to adopt it together,” Vare said.
Vare also voiced concerned about how to address what she described as a number of traffic accidents on 116th Street west of Allisonville Road. Planning and Zoning Director Megan Vukusich replied that the city’s Engineering Department could look into that issue.
In response to a question by Councilor Brad DeReamer, Mayor Fadness said there are plans to construct “slip lanes” for right-hand turns at the roundabout planned at 116th Street and Allisonville Road.
I stand with At-Large Councilor Jocelyn Vare in questioning why a 96-page report was voted on and approved the same day it was released. This should not be a common practice for any report paid for by taxpayers. Such information should be released and reviewed with ample time for all to make their decisions. Is this report even available online so that I could actually read it (please add a link if it is)? As a Fishers Resident for 36 years, I feel that discussion of plans seems to not be the norm any longer in this City. I am not against this plan, however, I know little about it except some box drawings shared in an image that was just conceptual and hopefully would have more character than that. What is the full layout of the roundabout with these turning lanes and crosswalks?
I have seen Fishers Grow tremendously since I moved here in 1987, some for the better but also quite a few mistakes (Allisonville/96th area) we should be thinking our further than the next 10 years in any development. A strong master plan that has been thoroughly vetted and re-assessed often would be a good strategy.
Since the Mayor said it will not happen quickly, there was no urgency to vote on Monday. Let us just think about giving adequate time so that studies can be digested by the community and then discussed at a later time.
From the little bit, I know about the future of this area on Allisonville Road, I would likely support it. But like anything it is easy to support something when only given the facts that may persuade you to do so.