Council advances first reading for bank rezone amid traffic and drive‑thru concerns

The Fishers City Council took a first reading on an ordinance to rezone approximately 1.83 acres for a bank (common address noted as 13562 East 116th Street) that would include a 4,400‑square‑foot single‑story building and a drive‑thru.

Ross Hillery of Community and Economic Development outlined conditions in the proposed PUD, including single‑tenant ownership, limited business hours (7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays and shorter Saturday hours), a 4,500‑square‑foot maximum building size, tree‑preservation expectations and limitations on signage and lighting. Hillery said neighbors had been engaged through multiple meetings and that the petitioner requested the rezone go forward through the Planning Commission public‑hearing process.

Land planner Kevin Bucheit spoke on behalf of the petitioner and described architectural renderings and a revised drive‑thru circulation that would allow vehicles to loop back through the parking area for secure evening deposits. "The drive through is an important part of Citizens State Bank's business model," Bucheit said, noting the bank uses the drive‑thru for patron convenience and secure vehicle deposits.

Several councilmembers opposed placing a drive‑thru at the site. One councilmember said the site’s geometry, proximity to a church that may host a daycare, and planned roundabouts at Olio and 116th make a drive‑thru an inappropriate use for that pocket property. Council members asked for a traffic study and additional detail about trip generation; petitioners said bank trip generation for this institution is lower than typical drive‑thru uses and committed to provide traffic analysis for the next review stage.

The ordinance advanced on first reading. The item will go to Planning Commission for a public hearing, and staff said they will return to council with additional data, including a traffic analysis, before final action.