The Fishers Plan Commission welcomed a new member, voted a unanimous favorable recommendation for a proposed senior citizens housing project and tabled an ordinance proposed by Brad DeReamer dealing with Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and developers.  That was all at the Wednesday night session at City Hall,

First, the ordinance.  City Councilman and Plan Commission member Brad DeReamer proposed an ordinance for Fishers, similar to one already enacted by the City of Carmel, that would require Common Area Inspections by a third party when subdivision sections are completed and the developer transfers control of the common area to the Owner’s Association.   DeReamer argued that HOA’s have been left with big expenses when developers fail to complete projects in the neighborhood’s common areas, citing several examples, some in his home neighborhood of Britton Falls.

When several Plan Commission members appeared lukewarm about his proposed ordinance, DeReamer told fellow Plan Commission members that in several neighborhoods within his council district, it is the view of the residents there that “the developers are running the City of Fishers.”

After a lengthy discussion, the commission sent the proposed ordinance back to the city planning staff for more study.

In other Plan Commission news:

Howard Stevenson, a former member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board, was sworn-in as the newest member of the commission.  Stevenson replaced Kent Nelson.  Nelson resigned his seat after moving to Arizona.  Stevenson will also serve on the Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals.

Finally, the commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the Fishers City Council to approve the Planned Unit Development for the Ritchey Reserve, proposed senior citizen housing project to be constructed at 7877 E 106th Street, if approved, would be developed by Real America, a firm headquartered in Fishers.