The July 3rd edition of the Indianapolis Star has two stories with a Fishers angle.
The first is about building standards for residential housing. Reporter Chris Sikich writes about a pending lawsuit arguing that the City of Greenwood is imposing standards for one housing development that exceeds the city’s authority under Indiana law.
If this lawsuit is successful, it could limit the authority of local governments throughout Indiana to set and enforce building standards.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is quoted in the Sikich story, making his case that standards are good for cities because they ensure the quality of construction will be done on a minimum level as defined by the local government.
Sikich quotes Mayor Fadness as follows:
“Clearly, cities want a clear vision for their communities, and you need the ability to regulate architecture to bring about that sense of place.”
As someone watching local government meetings in Fishers over the past four and a half years, Fishers does have such standards and works hard to enforce those rules.
Bottom line, Sikich does a good job of looking at this issue and explaining what might happen if the legal action against Greenwood is successful.
In another piece in the same edition, the Star’s Kris Turner writes about the new development planned for the Fishers downtown Nickel Plate District.
The planned development will have space set aside called “live-work.” For example, this would allow a business owner to own a photography studio or art gallery and live in an apartment just above the business location.
Fishers Redevelopment Commission President Wayne Crane grew up in the City of Chicago. After being briefed on the “live-work” concept by city staff, he said this reminded him of the old Chicago neighborhoods he knew growing up, where families owned a business and lived in an apartment just above the business location.
Wayne is right. This concept looks to me as if we are once again headed back to the future.
Both Indy Star stories in the Sunday edition are worth your time to read.