After a flurry of public comments from residents on one specific area, Fishers Plan Commission members voted unanimously to postpone a decision on adding Greenway overlay areas in some Geist neighborhoods.
City Planning Department staff assured the residents that language in the Greenway proposal would not require individual land owners with homes in the proposed Greenway to add a walking path along their property lines when improving their property. A total of 13 residents spoke during the public hearing, arguing that the language in the proposal was so vague they feared that installing a walking path on their property could be required if they choose to improve their home or add a barn to their property.
Map of proposed Greenway spaces (shaded in green) in the Geist area of Fishers. (Graphic provided by City of Fishers)
City staff said the language is aimed at requiring subdivision developers to build such walking paths when the development is built-out, in line with the city’s long-range comprehensive plan.
Commission members instructed staff in the city’s Planning Department to look at language that is more precise in order to ease the concerns of the residents.
The Plan Commission is expected to take the matter up again at its April 11 meeting.