The proposed Yard culinary and entertainment complex took one step toward reality when the Fishers Plan Commission unanimously sent forward a positive recommendation that the Fishers City Council approve a rezoning request.  However, Commission President Warren Harling said he was voting yes “reluctantly.”

Harling looked back on his long history of seeing impressive, shining renderings of projects that never happen.  He expressed concern about a sunset provision.  He says the 5-year sunset provision in the current commitments from the developer are not strong enough for him.

But in the end, Harling voted yes along with other members of the commission to move the rezone forward.

A portion of the land planned for development is currently zoned as residential.  The residents of Springdale Estates have all agreed to sell their homes to make way for this culinary and entertainment center proposed by developer Thompson Thrift.  The rezone now moves forward to the Fishers City Council.

No one chose to speak during the public hearing.

In other plan commission actions:

–The commission approved a positive city council recommendation for a revised concept plan for Simpy Dental’s office on 116th Street, east of Olio Road.  Commission members added some additional provision requested by nearby residents during the public hearing.

There have been stories flying about Portillo’s opening a restaurant in Fishers.  The Chicago-based chain has inquired about it, but the city says there is nothing definite yet about the eatery opening here.

Fishers Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath told LarryInFishers Portillo’s had contacted the city about locating here, but “nothing is firm”

“It is premature to discuss it at this time,” according to McGrath.

The Indianapolis Star posted a story late Wednesday afternoon with the online headline, “Portillo’s Chicago beef and dogs coming to Fishers.”

Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal posted a story late Wednesday night worded much more carefully than the Star story.  She writes that Portillo’s is “planning an Indianapolis-area location.”  You can access this story at this link.

So, is Portillo’s headed to Fishers?  There have been talks with Fishers officials, but nothing is set in stone at this time.

We will wait and see what develops.

The nation has only one national study of foundations for schools kindergarten through 12th grade, and the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation has scored 4th in the nation in the latest educational foundation rankings.  This is the third year for this study, conducted by Stepping Up, a part of the Caruthers Institute.

The group reviewed eight key areas to make the assessments.  Those areas include assets per student and human capital.

HSE Schools Foundation Executive Director Freedom Kolb credits the community and its support of the foundation for this honor.

I would add that Freedom, her staff and her board of directors should take a bow as well for a job well done.

One thing you learn very early in the news business is that change is constant and inevitable.  Sometimes, the changes are welcome.  Other times, there are changes you hate to see.

Two people handling public and media relations for the City of Fishers are moving on to new challenges.  That is welcome for each of them, but it is a change I hate to see.

When you cover a city as a news reporter, you get to know the media relations people. Sometimes the relationship is good.  Other times it is not.

The two people leaving the City of Fishers are top-notch professionals in the field.  When you are dealing with media relations professionals it is very easy doing your journalistic duties.

First, Autumn Gasior will be moving on to pursue new opportunities.  When dealing with Autumn, it was always clear to me she knew what she was doing.  In the usual give and take that goes on, Autumn always knew how to answer my questions.  We had a certain level of trust that benefited my new blog readers and the city administration.  I have not experienced that in every journalistic experience during my years as a reporter.

Second, Casey Cawthorn is moving on to work for a large and respected media company in Indianapolis.  She has shown me her professional credentials in the way she has handled her job at City Hall. Casey is a very good writer.

Both ladies possess the talents needed to get the city’s message out and to answer those hard questions posed by pesky reporters like me.  They both did it with style.

Here is the part I want to express as clearly as I can.  Autumn and Casey are good people – plain and simple.  That’s why I am going to miss working with them on a regular basis.

I wish Autumn and Casey the very best in their new endeavors.  I am certain they will be very successful.

I trust that whomever replaces them at City Hall will be professionals and be good people as well.  Scott Fadness seems to have a knack for hiring the best people.

But as 2017 gets started I will miss Autumn and Casey.  Thanks for all you have done in service to the city that I have called home for 25 years.

When you find a news desert, what happens next?

http://www.indianaforefront.com/can-life-be-found-in-the-news-desert/