A rental housing proposal by the Hamilton County nonprofit organization, HAND, has been given an unfavorable recommendation Wednesday night by the Fishers Plan Commission.  Commission member Howard Stevenson was the only vote against the unfavorable recommendation.

The plans for 11 single family units at 141st Street and Cumberland Road now head to the City Council for further consideration.  All three city councilors on the Plan Commission – Pete Peterson, Todd Zimmerman and Selina Stoller – went along with the unfavorable recommendation.

HAND Executive Director Andrea Davis laid out the plans for the cottage-style, 2-story units with car ports.  The rents for each unit would range from $650-$1,150 per month, per federal guidelines, based on income and other factors.  To qualify, each tenant renting a unit must have income.

Todd Zimmerman said his heart is with the HAND proposal, but his concerns about the location and safety issues resulted in his unfavorable recommendation vote.  Selina Stoller cited two other affordable housing plans in the works and expressed her desire for affordable housing ownership rather than rentals.  Pete Peterson cited the 50-plus comments he has received against this proposal.

Howard Stevenson asked the city staff how the engineering department views the traffic issues from this development and was told the engineers had some concerns but did not oppose the plans.

This housing project will be considered by the full Fishers City Council at the Monday, February 15th session.

The following Plan Commission agenda items were given unanimous favorable recommendations and will go the the Fishers City Council:

–The Gray Eagle housing project aimed at 55 and older, but not exclusive to that age group, is part of a plan to keep the Gray Eagle Golf Course in business.  There had been an announcement that the course would close, but the Gray Eagle Homeowners Association and city officials worked out a deal for the housing development to keep the golf course going.

–A front yard setback text amendment change for the Vermillion development at Connecticut Avenue and Southeastern Parkway.

–A text amendment for the Parkside senior apartment development on the east side of Parkside Drive, between 126th and 131st Streets.  This will amend rules for parking and landscaping.

–The Playschool Saxony at 131st Street and Pennington Road plans to add parking and build a gymnasium on the grounds.  This will require an amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD).