The Fishers City council had a pointed discussion about zoning policy before approving a rezone requested by Pulte Homes to develop 21 homes at 11052 Cumberland Road by a 6-2 vote.  The development, known as Gerardot Planned Unit Development (PUD), is 9.15 acres that was rezoned by the Council vote to reflect the specific zoning for this project as part of the PUD.

Councilman Brad DeReamer was critical of the Pulte plan for this project, saying there will not be enough space between the homes to install heating and air conditioning units.  DeReamer also explained a view he has expressed often during his time on the Council, saying PUDs do not respect the zoning ordinances of the city.  A PUD essentially provides the zoning rules for that particular development.

Council President Pete Peterson expressed support for using PUDs in developments, arguing this process allows the city to get changes from the developer favorable to the city.

The vote to approve the rezone was 6-2, with Councilors DeReamer and Bill Stuart voting no.  Stuart attended the meeting remotely.  Councilman Todd Zimmerman was not in attendance.

In other matters before the Council Monday night:

–Life Science firm 1Elaven plans to move its operations from San Diego to Fishers in a currently vacant space measuring 130 square feet, at 12001 Exhibit 5 Parkway, providing 120 jobs over 10 years with an average salary of $90,000 annually.  Councilors unanimously voted to approve the economic development package.

–The Council approved the annual review of economic development compliance by firms entering into such agreements with the city.  Only 2 were terminated, Republic Waste and Stanley Security.  Republic has since moved from the site that created the incentives and Stanley’s agreement was terminated by the company’s request.  All other economic development deals show compliance by the private firms.

— The Fishers Fire and Emergency Services Department requested increases in emergency services fees, covering additional costs.  The Council suspended the rules by unanimous vote and passed the changes.  For more on the changes, see this link.

–Councilors gave first reading to changes in the property maintenance code.  The new language changes some verbiage that has not been updated since 2014.  For the proposed fees, use this link.  You can review the proposed ordinance language at this link.  The ordinance is not yet final.

–The Council changed the city’s salary ordinance to provide an Executive Lieutenant position in the Police Department.

–Final approval was given to the Gray Eagle project for apartments on the grounds of the golf course.

The Fishers City Council on Monday night reviewed a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing parking congestion in two neighborhoods frequently impacted by nonresident vehicles during specific times.

The plan, introduced during the council’s first reading of the ordinance, would establish a resident parking pass system for two targeted areas along Lantern Road—one near the King Jugg establishment and the other surrounding the Al Huda Mosque.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart told council members that King Jugg generates increased street parking primarily during live music events and select other occasions. Meanwhile, the Al Huda Mosque draws large crowds—many from outside Fishers—especially during Friday prayers and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Under the proposal, residents in these affected neighborhoods would be eligible for parking permits, allowing them to park on the street during designated times when parking would otherwise be restricted. City officials clarified that these restrictions would only apply during peak demand periods, not around the clock.

Mayor Scott Fadness explained that the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety—which includes the mayor and two appointees—would be responsible for determining the specific days and hours when restrictions are in effect. If a resident plans to host a special event, such as a graduation party, the city would work with them to accommodate parking during the restricted times.

Violators of the ordinance would face a $150 fine.

As this was only the ordinance’s first reading, city officials noted that there will be opportunities for public feedback and revisions before a final vote is taken.

The Fishers Freight’s road matchup against the Quad City Steamwheelers Saturday night was anything but typical, even by Indoor Football League standards. The first quarter ended in an unusual 5-5 tie, and the game quickly turned chaotic from there.

Two Quad City offensive linemen were each flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, meaning they had to leave the game, forcing the team to shift two defensive linemen to offensive duty—something rarely seen at any level of football.

The Freight ultimately fell 45-28, marking their ninth consecutive loss after opening the season with two wins. The contest was defined by constant penalties, with both teams repeatedly flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in what turned into a highly physical matchup. Whether the game was out of control or the officiating crew was simply overzealous, penalties played a central role in the night’s action.

After the first-quarter tie, the Steamwheelers took control early in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run and never looked back. Fishers failed to regain the lead at any point for the remainder of the game.

All-too-familiar struggles continued to plague the Freight: failed fourth-down conversions, costly fumbles, and key interceptions all contributed to the loss.

The Freight will return home on Saturday, June 21, for “Summer Camp Night,” hoping to find a bright spot and end their inaugural Indoor Football League season on a more positive note.

Now that we are into the summer road construction season, the listing of projects has grown.  Note the lane restrictions in place along Olio Road and Geist Reservoir, now until July 2.

Here is the complete listing of area road construction projects, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Here is the Fishers-area road construction update for the week beginning Monday, June 16 →

As the Fishers Freight prepare to travel to Quad City for their upcoming Indoor Football League game on Saturday, the team has announced several roster changes.

Running back Dominic Roberto and defensive back Justin Terry have officially signed with the team. Wide receiver Shavarez Smith has been activated from the injured list and is now available to play.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Jordan Kress has suffered a season-ending injury and has been placed on the Injured Reserve list.

The Freight have released defensive back AJ Fenton and wide receiver Vincent Gregory.

In addition, quarterback Jiya Wright, who started the season as the team’s signal caller, remains on the “Refused to Report” list. Reports indicate Wright is currently playing football in Mexico.

This is not about Fishers per se, but allow me a point of personal privilege to plug a new podcast series I am producing with my friend Duncan Giles.  We call it Lannan & Giles: Unscripted. We talk about news stories others may have missed.  We discuss one major topic, which in our first episode, centers on public demonstrations and how they are part of America’s history.  We do a critic’s corner and do a top ten list.  We talk about serious subjects, but have some fun at the same time.

Feel free to like and subscribe to our podcast.  Find the video & audio versions linked below.

Two Indianapolis men have been arrested in connection with a home burglary that occurred Thursday in a Fishers neighborhood.

According to the Fishers Police Department, officers responded to a call shortly after a woman reported being attacked during a home invasion in the 16000 block of Brookmere Avenue on June 12. The victim told officers that two men entered her home, assaulted her, and stole property before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

The victim was able to call 911 following the incident and was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. She was later released.

Fishers Police Detectives began their investigation immediately and quickly identified two suspects. After several hours of investigative work, police located and arrested Elijah J. Oates, 24, of Indianapolis on the afternoon of June 12. During an interview with detectives, Oates admitted to his involvement in the crime.

The second suspect, Daquez Stockdale, 25, also of Indianapolis, was arrested the following morning, June 13, by Fishers Police Officers.

Both suspects are currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail.

The Fishers Police Department emphasized that officers and detectives utilized every available resource to bring the suspects into custody and reiterated the city’s commitment to public safety.

The Future Black Leaders Of Fishers High School will handle the 2025 Juneteenth celebration in Fishers.  It all happens Thursday, June 19, 5-8pm, at Conner Prairie.

I invited four members of the club to appear on this podcast to talk about Juneteenth and other subjects.  Ther are:  Jayden Rucker, Chandler Philips, Mawaddah (Mowie) Aregbe and Gianna Fowler.

My thanks for the faculty sponsor for the Future Black Leaders, Renee Isom, and Les Reinhardt of the Fishers Arts Council, for helping to arrange this podcast.

Below are links to the video and audio versions of this podcast.

If you drive along Cumberland Road between 126th & 112th Streets, you have likely seen the building with the large SG on that structure.  That stands for Stevanato Group, an Italian firm that located a pharmaceutical container and syringe production facility here in Fishers.

Based on a story posted Thursday afternoon on the Indianapolis Business Journal Web site, a construction company has filed a nearly $1.6 million lawsuit against the primary contractor involved with constructing the Stevanato facility in Fishers.

IBJ reporter Greg Weaver writes that BMWC Construction claims it did not receive payment from Pepper Construction in the amount of $1.59 million.  Weaver cites the legal documents, but none of the parties involved in the dispute would comment on the allegations contained in the lawsuit.

For more on the story, use this link to read Greg Weaver’s story.  (You will likely need an IBJ subscription to access this story).