The Fishers Plan Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to City Council on Aug. 6 for RZ25.5, a request to rezone 1.13 acres at 13600 East 118th Street from R2 (residential) to C1 (commercial) with conditions to allow a roofing business and accessory structure.

City of Fishers planner Ross Hillary, Community and Economic Development Department, told the commission that staff recommended approval with conditions and that the item is expected to appear before City Council on Aug. 18. "Staff has a favorable recommendation for planning commission and we anticipate this at our city council meeting on August 18," Hillary said.

Under the proposed ordinance the site would be annexed to the city, the building and site design would have to be substantially similar to the submitted concept, and the property would be limited to specified uses (roofing business, office, medical office, beauty and personal services, among others). The rezone conditions also prohibit outdoor storage, require full cutoff lighting with "zero foot-candles at the property line," and call for 118th Street to be extended to serve the property's western driveway.

Petitioner Corey Cates, founder of Weathertight Roofing, described the business and the plan for a small office/shop. "My name is Corey Cates. I am the founder of Weathertight Roofing," Cates said. He said most materials are delivered directly from suppliers to job sites and that the proposed office would mainly provide indoor storage for company vehicles and a place for office staff. "It wouldn't be first thing in the morning by any means," Cates added when asked about delivery timing.

Several nearby residents spoke during the public hearing with questions and concerns about privacy, trespass and vehicle access. Frank Casale, who said he lives at 11805 Walker Lake Lane at the corner closest to the lot, told the commission the existing vegetation provides a buffer but urged maintaining or adding screening. "There are a lot of bushes and trees there and stuff," Casale said. Commissioner Selina asked staff and the petitioner to consider additional screening: "I would like to see some type of berm put in there, fencing, trees, some type of barrier put in there to allow them, you know, privacy for their pool." The petitioner said he was open to fencing and preserving perimeter vegetation where possible, though he noted cost concerns.

Neighbors asked that any connection between the site and Kroger’s drive be limited to passenger vehicles and not used by heavy delivery trucks. Commissioners and staff discussed existing conditions of 118th Street and said the Engineering Department would review whether a connection is appropriate; Ross Hillary said he would confirm the engineering recommendation before council. Residents asked for measures to deter people cutting through the vacant lot to reach Kroger, and several commissioners asked staff to coordinate with engineering on access and barriers.

Commissioners also noted the applicant held a neighborhood meeting on July 15 that had no residents in attendance but that several neighbors spoke during the public hearing. The commission’s motion to recommend approval included the six conditions already drafted in the ordinance (including no outdoor storage, lighting, architecture to UDO standards, annexation, parking and required 118th Street extension). The motion, made by Selina and seconded by Bruce K, passed on a voice/roll-call vote with attending members recorded as voting aye; the commission chairman said the motion carried.

The item moves next to the Fishers City Council (anticipated Aug. 18), and staff said it would bring any engineering recommendations about driveway connections and access at that time. Hillary said staff and the petitioner would continue to work on elevations and details before the council hearing.