The members of the Fishers City Council spent a lot of time on economic development matters Monday night, but also found time for a number of other issues, such as regulation of excavation projects and a cycling ordinance.
First, councilors approved an impact fee waiver and a 10-year tax abatement for the developer of the Nickel Plate Ellipse office building, planned near the Amphitheater. The $10 million development has no lease agreements at this time, but the city’s Economic Development Director Brandon Dickinson said several firms have expressed in interest in leasing space, even before the plans were announced Monday morning.
The Yard project is expanding its scope, adding multi-family housing and a parking garage. Council members approved a revised project agreement for The Yard, along with the additional revenue bonds to fund the expanded plans.
The City Council discussed a cycling ordinance at the April work session, and agreed to have staff attorneys draw up a proposed ordinance, and that measure was presented for first reading Monday night. Unless council members unanimously suspend the rules, this ordinance will be back for two more council meetings. You can read the entire proposed ordinance presented Monday night to the council at this link.
After one company’s contractors cut into several natural gas lines in Fishers last year while excavating, the council approved first reading of an updated ordinance governing this type of project. The requirement of obtaining a permit to excavate within the right-of-way remains, but the information requested now includes items such as registration with the State to do business in Indiana, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission training and a safety plan. The permit fee would increase from $25 to $50. Performance and maintenance bond requirements would be unchanged. A new section regarding underground pipeline hits has been added, which more thoroughly sets out the City’s expectations for safety and allows for fines and stop work orders if the excavator does not comply. The proposal will come back to the council for further consideration.