The Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals denied a variance request Wednesday for a short-term rental home at the 13000 block of Wabash Drive, in the Harrison Green subdivision.

Board member Howard Stevenson said he believed the property owners had met the criteria the board must consider when ruling on such requests, and he moved to approve the variance. The motion died for lack of a second.

Tom Grinslade then moved to deny the variance, citing public safety, traffic conditions, the home’s location on a cul-de-sac and the potential impact on property values. Greg Lannan seconded the motion, which passed 4-1, with Stevenson casting the lone dissenting vote.

Property owner Angela Bloehs argued for the variance, telling the board she and her husband, Jared, have been responsible owners, vetting guests and maintaining the property to high standards. The couple said they were initially unaware of the city’s new requirement to register the property as a rental, but have since done so.

Allison Gustafson, whose home is adjacent to the rental, submitted written comments focused on safety concerns. Her husband, Eric, spoke at Wednesday’s public hearing, addressing the criteria the board is required by law to weigh in variance requests.

Eric Gustafson argued the short-term rental has an adverse impact on the character of the neighborhood. He acknowledged the owners have made a “genuine effort to operate the property responsibly,” but said that does not change the nature of short-term rentals. While the owners have established and enforced stringent house rules that may reduce risk, he said, rules alone cannot guarantee compliance.