The Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals failed to approve or deny a request from a local church, essentially keeping the church from adding temporary classrooms.

The Legacy Bible Church, located on Howe Road, between 141st & 131st Streets, asked the board to allow two temporary classrooms, essentially the same type of trailers used by overcrowded public schools, providing more space for adult and student Sunday school classes.  The church indicated the temporary classrooms would also be needed one week per year for vacation bible school.

Church officials told the board this would be a temporary arrangement and asked for permission to utilize the trailers for no more than five years, providing time for the church to decide how to deal with a growing congregation.

Four neighbors of the church spoke during the public hearing, all against the zoning variance, citing lighting, landscaping issues and an open issue with the city on the church’s landscaping.  One neighbor said she would see those trailers from her porch.

Board President Steve Ferrucci recused himself from the vote because he works for a law firm that has represented the church.  That left four board members eligible to vote, with three votes required to pass a motion.

The first vote was to deny the variance, which resulted in a 2-2 tie, meaning no action was taken.  Another motion was made to approve the variance with a four-year span, instead of five years, and that motion failed on a 2-2 vote.

The result is no approval of the variance.  Church officials were informed that the board would consider a different proposal, but essentially the same measure would likely have the same result.

In one other item, the board unanimously approved a drive-through at the Starbucks coming to 96th Street, east of Lantern Road.  A pizza restaurant previously at that location had a drive-through operation, but board approval was required for the new Starbucks at that location.