Scott Rhodes is a Nationwide Insurance agent with his office on Lantern Road in the downtown Fishers Nickel Plate District.  The city has announced economic development plans for his Lantern Road office that calls for that structure’s demolition.

Rhodes owns a rental home at 13862 Cumberland Road and he wants to move his insurance office to that location.  In order to do this, Mr. Rhodes must receive a zoning variance, changing the use of the building and land from residential to commercial.  He also will need to annex the building and land into the City of Fishers.  City staff says this rezone would only allow office use for this parcel, not any other commercial activity.

The Fishers City Council heard Mr. Rhodes rezoning request on 2nd reading Monday night. The council heard testimony from several individuals.  Some were in support.  A real estate representative from FC Tucker told the council approving this rezone would not result in the reduction of home values in the area.  Fishers High School Football Coach Rick Wimmer spoke before the council in favor of the rezone request.

But most of the people in the audience that nearly filled the council chambers were there to oppose the rezoning.  They expressed a number of concerns, the most common being the change in atmosphere for what is now only a residential area.

The council members approved 2nd reading.  The measure requires a vote by the full council at 3rd reading for a final decision, which will likely happen at the September city council session.