The proposed Saxony Sports Complex parking plan was approved Wednesday night by the Fishers City Council. The amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) calls for 1,923 parking spaces for the facility on day one of its opening. This includes on-site parking of 1,525 spaces, street parking (adjacent to site) totaling 98 spaces and 340 off-site shared parking spaces available.
Larry Amick, a resident of Britton Falls, told the council he finds “disturbing” the fact that six VIP parking spaces and 6 suite admissions are part of the proposed lease with the sports complex owners. Amick made a number of other comments about the proposed lease as it applies to public access of the facility, but council members and Mayor Scott Fadness said there is no final agreement on public access, and when that agreement is reached, it will be before the council in a separate measure.
Council Member David George expressed concerns about enough parking spaces when one set of games are ending and another group of players and families are entering the complex at the same time. George was the only no vote on the parking plan.
The Saxony Sports Pavilion is awaiting the completion of certified appraisals which will allow the financing for the project to receive final approval, including the language of the lease with the City of Fishers.
In other council action:
–Approved measures paving the way for the annexation of about 22.5 acres on the north side of 126th Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road, known as The Reserve at Lantern property.
— Approved resolutions aimed at the annexation of 66.66 acres located on the southwest side of Southeastern Parkway between Florida Road and Cyntheanne Road, known as the Whelchel Springs (Part I) property.
–Sent to the Plan Commission a proposal to rezone for the Prairie Guest House, 2.0 acres at 13805 Allisonville Road after 1st reading approval.
–Approved utility easements for the planned community center at Saxony Beach.
–Approved several resolutions tied to ongoing economic development areas.
–Approved spending $40,000 as Fishers share of plans to construct a Hamilton County Public Safety Training Facility.
–Approved the 10-year financing of the city’s purchase of the former DECA Building through a loan at 2.26% interest, with no pre-payment penalties. Former Town Council member Mike Colby told the council he has some concerns about the city getting into the business of buying office buildings, which he says should be a private sector activity. The building will be utilized as the new home for Launch Fishers.
–The Council approved changes in the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) areas along the State Road 37 automotive corridor. Mayor Fadness says this is part of the process to get some of those properties fully back on the property tax rolls.