Fishers BZA approves variance for Haven Cove Lane home after petitioner adds underground detention

The Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals on May 28 approved a variance request allowing an increase in maximum impervious surface area to 57% and a building height up to 42 feet for a proposed single-family home at 413409 Haven Cove Lane (VA‑25‑8). Approval was conditioned on recording required documents with the Hamilton County Recorder’s Office and a statement that the City of Fishers is not responsible for maintenance of the proposed underground detention system. The motion passed after roll call (three yes, one no, one present).

Petitioners Joel and Sarah (last name on file with the city) were represented by attorney John Cross. Cross said the applicants purchased the lot in September 2023 and prepared plans aligned with neighboring homes; the petition was originally filed before a recent Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update that raised the allowable impervious surface near Geist Reservoir from 35% to 50%.

Cross and builder Nick Gallagher said rather than reduce the home footprint, they proposed an engineered underground detention/storage system to offset runoff from increasing impervious coverage to 57%. Jason Armour, Fishers stormwater engineer, reviewed the drainage narrative by Stoppelworth (engineering firm name as submitted) and supported the engineering approach; staff told the board the attached drainage narrative supports a maximum impervious surface up to 58% with the proposed system.

At the meeting petition representatives described the retention system as underground chambers that store runoff and discharge it at a much slower rate than surface runoff. The petitioner said the system as designed holds about 1,000 cubic feet (roughly 7,480 gallons) and is gravity‑driven rather than pump‑driven. The petitioner told the board the system has an expected useful life of about 50 years and will require annual inspection and routine maintenance by the owner; the city’s staff report said the City of Fishers is not responsible for system maintenance.

Senior planner Gabrielle Herron reviewed site plan context, showing neighboring two‑story homes and site topography directing runoff toward Geist Reservoir. Herron said no public comments were received and that staff had no recommendation; staff presented the recording and city‑maintenance conditions for the board’s consideration.

During questioning, board members asked whether other applications had been filed before the UDO update (staff said not to their knowledge) and about the system’s longevity and mechanics; a representative explained there is no sump pump and that the design relies on subsurface chambers and an outlet sized to slow discharge.

The board’s motion approved VA‑25‑8 with stated recording and maintenance disclaimers. The roll-call vote recorded Mister Grinsley yes, Mister Silvey no, Mister Stevenson yes, Mister Layton present, and Mister Ferrucci yes. The chair declared the motion passed.