Editor’s note: Corrie Meyer, AICP, PLA, is the President and CEO of Carmel-based Innovative Planning, LLC.
The Hamilton County Plan Commission embarked on a journey to update the Comprehensive Plan for the rural townships of Wayne, White River, the northeast corner of Noblesville, and Adams Township. These townships represent the jurisdiction area of the Hamilton County Plan Commission. Other townships like Jackson, Clay, and Washington are governed by other Plan Commissions.
Throughout 2020, the Plan Commission worked with a consultant team of Innovative Planning, Burke Engineering, and Peterson Architecture. Innovative Planning led the team and the Plan Commission through research, analysis, social media engagement, nine community meetings, six public presentations, and the culmination of new recommendations for the Plan Commission and townships to implement over the next 10 years.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen announced the selection of a new city logo at a Hamilton Southeastern School Board meeting on Tuesday. Jensen told the Fishers group they were the first to see the new design.
In August of last year, the City of Noblesville contracted with Indianapolis-based consulting firm Hiron’s for $20,000 to design a new city logo and to refresh Noblesville’s brand.
The new design replaces the current logo that features the historic courthouse that sits in the middle of Noblesville’s historic downtown square.
In August, Jensen said, “The city is seeking to do a whole refresh of our brand to highlight both the history of Noblesville, as well as promote the progress made and growth to come.”
Emily Gaylord, Communications Director for the City of Noblesville, said, “We just thought it was time for a new brand because the current one is a building that belongs to the county. We’d like something that shows a city with a rich history that is ripe for progress.”
After receiving several design options from Hiron’s, Noblesville offered area residents the opportunity to vote one of five options. The new logo was not among them.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, fully masked, speaks to the HSE School Board
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District has been known as mostly a Fishers school system. It takes in the entire city of Fishers, unincorporated areas of Fall Creek and Delaware Townships as well as all of Wayne Township.
The City of Noblesville projects that it will be expanding east into Wayne Township, meaning what had been a rural area will see population growth as development moves in that direction.
For that reason, Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen and members of his staff addressed the HSE School Board on his city’s plans that will impact HSE Schools. Jensen projects that in the coming 5-10 years, the population of Noblesville will double in size, with most of that growth happening within the HSE School District.
HSE is constructing a new school within the current boundaries of Noblesville at 156th Street and Boden Road, named Deer Creek Elementary. Jensen reviewed the commercial development and other infrastructure improvement plans for that area of the city.
HSE Superintendent Allen Bourff asked how Noblesville will work with Fishers on providing School Resource Officers, sworn police stationed at schools. Chad Knecht, Director of Public Safety for Noblesville, said his staff will work with Fishers for consistency in providing School Resource officers to HSE Schools.
Joining Mayor Jensen and Knecht in speaking before the school board were Deputy Mayor Matt Light and Sarah Reed, Community & Economic Development Director
Map of expected future Noblesville City growth into Wayne Township
The Fishers Health Department announced a lowering of the eligibility age for COVID vaccine. See below the information posted by the department Tuesday morning:
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The following priority groups are now eligible to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to the Indiana Dept. of Health:
Individuals 45 years of age and older
Pre-K through 12 educators, support staff, and child care providers
Veterans 18+ receiving care through the VA
Individuals considered high-risk by their physicians (Info)
Healthcare workers
First responders
You will be asked to attest that you meet the criteria for the vaccination (that you are 45 years of age or older or employer ID) prior to selecting your appointment.
Residents needing assistance with vaccine information or scheduling may call 2-1-1 or the Fishers COVID-19 Hotline at 317-595-3211.
Scott Fadness & Eric Pethtel pose for a photo at Monday’s City Council meeting
Eric Pethtel has headed-up the Department of Public Works for many years and the city honored him for 30 years of Fishers service during Monday night’s City Council session.
Mayor Scott Fadness went on a journey of Mr. Pethel’s municipal career, beginning February 1, 1991, when Pethtel walked into the the municipal garage and later that day attended the ground-breaking ceremony for Holland Park in the Sunblest subdivision.
“Eric has turned what was a disjointed and siloed organization into one group that has an unbelievable work ethic and (is) always open for news things, always open for new challenges,” Mayor Fadness said.
In other news from Monday’s Fishers City Council meeting:
–An economic development and land acquisition agreement was approved for the planned Thompson-Thrift residential component of the Fishers District project. Fishers Villa will have a $57 million investment by the developer and will generate an estimated $800,000 a year in property tax revenue. A park will be a part of the development, with the city footing the bill for the necessary infrastructure.
–The city amended an economic development agreement with Rubbermaid, now occupying the former Jarden facility at 121st Street and Cumberland Road. Although Rubbermaid is not meeting its employment targets for economic incentives at that facility, employment in other parts of Fishers will be counted to comply with their commitments.
–The Wyne Tyme Club had organized for wine tasting, but COVID caused the Britton Falls group to disband. The $2,000 left in the treasury was donated to the Fishers Police Foundation.
–Approval was given to a text amendment allowing a restaurant near the planned Geist Waterfront Park once Councilman Pete Peterson’s concerns about a nearby boathouse were addressed. The restaurant will likely not be built for about 5 years.
–During the Community Comment period, a resident of Britton Falls expressed concern that the fire station promised to cover their neighborhood may be delayed from the promised 2022 opening. Mayor Fadness said the project is moving forward and the early 2022 opening is still a possibility
The Indiana Department of Health has revised Hamilton County’s weekly 2-metric score from Yellow to Blue.
The department added 213 newly-reported COVID-19 positive cases to the county’s dashboard on Saturday, March 6. Upon further review, the state found that some of the test results dated back as far as January. However, color status is based on the date the test is reported, not the date the test was taken. The state has adjusted Hamilton County’s level to Blue to reflect this change.
This is the second week that Hamilton County has been under Blue status, allowing its advisory level lowered to Blue as well. That means events and social gatherings may take place at up to 100 percent capacity so long as participants social distance and wear masks. This includes K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, community recreational sports, and college and professional sports. Social gatherings should be no more than 250 people.
The Fishers Health Department has the city at an orange level, but anticipates lowering the rating to yellow soon based on recent encouraging COVID numbers.
The latest update from the Fishers Health Department brings us more good news with favorable numbers. See the information below, as provided by the Fishers Health Department:
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Fishers Metrics Review
Fishers Health Department’s Epidemiologist Josh shares that this week’s metrics continue to trend in the right direction with some of our Community Spread Metrics entering “green.”
As a reminder, we wait for two weeks of trending data to change risk levels. If we remain the same or continue to see a decrease in our metrics, we anticipate moving to Yellow, or Level 2 risk category. View the full review of metrics.
Also, join Public Health Director Dr. Monica Heltz and other field experts on March 25 at noon for a virtual panel discussion. Register here.
Ages 50+ Eligible for Vaccines
Individuals ages 50 years and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of underlying medical conditions. Vaccination clinic hours are by appointment only and can be made here for eligible individuals only. You are able to schedule your vaccination appointment at the Mass Vaccination Site or at any vaccination site in Indiana. New appointments continue to open up, so check back frequently.
FHD will be administering the Pfizer Vaccine starting Tuesday, March 16. Those receiving their second dose from FHD will be receiving the Moderna vaccines. All new vacinees will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Currently, only Indiana residents can get a vaccine from an Indiana vaccine clinic.
If you need assistance scheduling, please call the Fishers COVID Hotline at 317-595-3211 or call 2-1-1. Family members may schedule on behalf of eligible individuals. There is no charge for the vaccine. All persons receiving the vaccine will need valid ID or other proof of meeting eligibility criteria.
Additional Groups Now Eligible for Vaccine Veterans
The VA is now offering COVID-19 vaccination to enrolled Veteran patients 18+ at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. Enrolled Veteran patients can call (317) 988-4899 to schedule their appointment(s). Veterans who are not enrolled or do not currently receive care at VA can visit VA’s eligibility web page to learn more.
Teachers & Childcare Workers
Beginning Monday, March 15, childcare workers and anyone working in K-12 education can be vaccinated at any location in the state.
Individuals with Medical Conditions
Supply of vaccine is limited but will soon be available to those with certain medical conditions that place them more at risk than others of becoming severely ill if infected with COVID-19. You will need to contact your healthcare provider to enter you in the system to sign up for vaccine and to ensure your medications won’t interfere with the vaccine. Initial groups of patients include:
Active dialysis patients
Sickle cell disease patients
Down syndrome
Post-solid organ transplant
People who are actively in treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery) for cancer now or in the last three months, or with active primary lung cancer or active hematologic cancers; lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma
The State Road 37 construction will require some changes in the traffic patters as soon as Friday evening,
For a full listing, see the information from the City of Fishers below:
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STATE ROAD 37 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes. Through traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.
STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST / 135TH STREETS
The Northbound SR 37 right turn lane onto 135th Street is currently closed from 131st Street to approximately halfway to 135th Street for Phase 1 construction. This portion of the dedicated turn lane will not reopen to regular capacity until the interchange is complete. The Southbound SR 37 dedicated right turn lane onto 135th Street is also closed for additional widening to accommodate traffic in Phase 2.
On Friday, March 12 between the hours of 7pm and 6am the contractor plans to switch traffic between Phase 0A and 0B. This work will include single lane restrictions to both Northbound and Southbound SR 37 traffic between 131st and 126th Streets. This phase switch will move traffic further outside to perform median widening. In the event this work cannot be performed due to weather, the contractor will attempt to perform the same work on Saturday, March 13 between the hours of 7pm and 6am.
On Thursday, March 25 between the hours of 7pm and 6am the contractor plans to adjust traffic to the outside between Phase 1 and 2. This work will include single lane restrictions for both Northbound and Southbound SR 37 traffic between 131st and 141st Streets. This phase change will move traffic to the outside to perform median widening.
Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.
PROJECTS SOUTH OF 116TH STREET
ALLISONVILLE ROAD
Beginning on or after Monday, March 15, there will be lane restrictions on Southbound Allisonville Road between Easy Street and 106th Street for utility work. These restrictions will be in place between the hours of 9am and 3pm.
NORTHFIELD ESTATES
Beginning on or after Monday, March 15, ADA ramp work will begin in Northfield Estates, prior to the resurfacing of the roadway, and is anticipated to be completed in April.
106th STREET & HAGUE ROAD
There are lane restrictions currently in place for east and west bound traffic on 106th Street at Hague Road. Through lanes will be restricted and traffic will use the left turn lanes as through lanes. Left turn access onto Hague Road will remain open. Advanced warning signs will be in place. These restrictions are anticipated to be in place until mid-May for bypass pumping for improvements to the Hague Road Lift Station.
MEADOWS DRIVE
Drainage work is currently taking place on Meadows Drive, Royal Drive and Frances Street and is anticipated to be completed in March.
ADMIRALS POINTE DRIVE
Indianapolis DPW currently has Admirals Pointe Drive closed through midsummer 2021 to replace the timber bridge over Geist and the north fork of Dry Branch. The detour will consist of Old Stone Dr. East to Carroll Rd. / 700 W., South to E. 79th St., West to Oaklandon Rd.
You may recall my article posted March 8th about a Des Moines Register reporter, Andrea Sahouri, who was arrested last May just for doing her job as a reporter, covering protests over the death of George Floyd. Sahouri was acquitted by a jury of the two misdemeanor charges against her, which were failure to disperse and interference with official acts. Had she been found guilty, Sahouri could have been fined and jailed for up to 30 days.
Although the Iowa jury did the right thing in finding Sahouri not guilty, the simple fact that this case went to trial at all is disconcerting for anyone with an interest in getting to truth and facts in journalism.
Tom Jones writes for the highly-respected nonprofit organization, the Poynter Institute, which publishes the Tampa Bay Times in Florida and runs fact-checking organizations around the world, including PolitiFact in the United States. Mr. Jones has written a thoughtful piece going into factual detail about the Sahouri case, and why this is not all good news for good journalism.
I have many fond memories of taking my young twin daughters to the kindergarten roundup in the late 1990s. They were able to ride the school bus, walk around their school building (Harrison Parkway for our family) and familiarize my daughters with the experience of going to school for the first time.
The kindergarten roundup may no longer be a thing, but there are other ways to accomplish the same thing, and COVID simply complicates the entire situation.
The HSE student population decreased by about 400 in the current school year, and school officials have said parents have told them many families opted to delay starting school in the era of COVID.
At the March 10th Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting, a new promotion was revealed to encourage parents to sign-up their youngsters for kindergarten. The promotion will have several ingredients, including Facebook ads and other social media.
Riddles will be a part of the promotion. There will be clues on where the school bus is parked on a particular day (see photo above). There will be a backpack giveaway in partnership with the HSE Schools Foundation. One backpack will be awarded per school. You must be enrolled by April 30th to be eligible for the drawing.
Virtual building tours will be available March 30th. There will be an in-person open house with timed entries for social distancing April 13th. Friday tours will also be available.
In order to enroll in kindergarten, the family must reside within the HSE School District boundaries. The child must be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2021. A child can qualify for early entrance by turning 5 years of age between August 1 and September 1 of the enrollment year.
For more information on HSE Schools kindergarten enrollment, use this link.
