Fishers Star Article on Zoning (Joinder) Battle—Referendum on Ballot

In case you missed it, there was an article in the Thursday, October 23rd, Fishers Star on the zoning issue between Fall Creek Township and the Fishers Town Council.  The link is:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081023/LOCAL0102/810230306/1175/LOCAL0102

As you will note from the article, there will be a referendum on the ballot November 4th that is worded in a rather confusing manner:  “Shall the township withdraw from joinder with the City of Noblesville for planning and zoning purposes?”

While we’re not suggesting how you might vote, here’s a little background.

Back when the Beatles were a new group (1964), Fall Creek Township entered into an agreement with the City of Noblesville giving the city control over zoning in the unincorporated areas of the Township (including the Geist area).  This is the joinder agreement.

In 2004 (McCartney still on tour), Noblesville agreed to let the Town of Fishers take over zoning for the area—ostensibly because Fishers was closer (and who knows what else may have gone on behind the scenes).  Nonetheless, Fishers was supposed to follow Noblesville’s zoning rules for unincorporated Fall Creek Township, but instead they enforced their own, stricter zoning rules.  And, it appears that the joinder agreement was never formally executed.

This year, a number of township residents challenged the issue and were successful in getting a public referendum on the issue so the residents can decide.

A YES vote cancels the joinder agreement with Noblesville, which, in turn, cancels Noblesville’s agreement with Fishers—the result is zoning control will go to the county.  A No vote allows Fishers to retain zoning control over Fall Creek Township (unincorporated).

As reported in the article, part of the process included the formation of two study committees:  one by the Township and one by the Town; both had residents from the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the township.  The Town’s committee concluded that the zoning should remain with the Town (surprise!); the Township’s committee—which actually held a public forum on the topic—concluded the zoning should go back to the county.

The decision now lies in the hands of the voters.