Committee recommends
"No" to referendum
A study committee of Fall Creek Township
residents is recommending that all residents of Fall Creek Township vote
"NO" on public question #2 appearing on the November 4th ballot.
Referendum question #2 asks, "Shall the Township withdraw from joinder
with the City of Noblesville, for planning and zoning purposes?"
Committee encourages voters to review full report available at
www.Fishers.in.us.
The Study concluded that a "NO" vote means Fishers will retain local
zoning control allowing Fishers to plan for its future growth; a "YES"
vote means a loss of local control to the County which presently does
not have zoning controls in place.
"The Committee collected and evaluated a variety of information to issue
a thoughtful and objective report to assist voters in understanding the
implications of the vote they cast," said Mario Massillamany, Committee
Chairman. "We think Fall Creek Township will be better served by local
control of zoning and planning so weve concluded 'NO' is the best
choice."
The Committee concluded that it is in the best interest of all residents
of Fall Creek Township to vote "NO" on the referendum which will allow
Fishers to retain local zoning control instead of ceding control to the
Country through a "YES" vote. A "NO" vote means the Noblesville Joinder
implemented through Fishers will continue to provide planning and zoning
functions in the unincorporated areas of Fall Creek Township in order to
properly plan for the growth of Fishers.
The joinder agreement establishes zoning control for the Township area.
Since Noblesville signed an agreement allowing Fishers to implement the
Joinder, withdrawing from Noblesville would end local zoning control by
Fishers. If withdrawn, Hamilton County would automatically take over
zoning control.
A "YES" vote means zoning will revert to the jurisdiction of Hamilton
County. Since there is no county zoning for Fall Creek, Hamilton County
must establish zoning and development controls for the township. In the
interim, there may be periods of time when no zoning or land use
controls are in place.
The committees rationale for a "NO" vote:
-
Keeping higher zoning standards Higher
zoning standards will be implemented through Noblesville/Fishers
zoning, serving the best interests of all Township residents, both
annexed and unannexed.
-
Keeping taxes low. Nearly $2 million in
impact fees from new development could be lost since the County does
not require such fees. Because impact fees ensure fiscally responsible
development and lessen the tax burden associated with growth, this
could eventually result in higher taxes for Fishers and Fall Creek
taxpayers.
All registered voters in Fall Creek Township will have an opportunity
to vote on the referendum whether living within or outside of town
limits.
-
Retaining control over the future of
Fishers. Its likely Fall Creek will eventually be annexed into
Fishers, and it would be unwise to shift zoning control to the County
to plan for the future of this area. The Fall Creek Township Trustee
stated he wants Fishers to plan and zone this area and that can only
continue if the Joinder with Noblesville is kept.
-
Continuing Fishers representation. More
local representation is present on local Plan Commission and Zoning
Board if the Noblesville/Fishers area Joinder is continued.
-
Retaining larger and experienced staff.
Professional staff of 31 will continue to serve the Township if the
Noblesville/Fishers Joinder is maintained versus Hamilton Countys
staff of 6.
-
Planning smart. Money Magazine ranked
the Town of Fishers 10th in the nation. They described Fishers as an
example of "smart planning and sheer livability" to other communities.
Last August, the Fishers Town Council
appointed eight citizens to serve on the Fall Creek Township Referendum
Study Committee. Four of the members are residents of incorporated Fall
Creek Township while the remaining four members reside in unincorporated
portions of the township.
The Committee members are:
Rick Bassett (unincorporated resident)
Todd Bracken (unincorporated resident)
Kris Conover (unincorporated resident)
Todd Halkyard (incorporated resident)
Jeff Hern (unincorporated resident)
Aunna Huber (incorporated resident)
Mario Massillamany (incorporated resident)
Gregg Puls (incorporated resident)
The Town Council asked the committee to objectively study the issue and
issue a report so residents of Fall Creek Township can make an educated
and informed decision regarding the referendum question.
"It's important that people not be confused by the misleading wording of
the question. Voters should ask themselves whether the planning and
zoning of their community should be done by Fishers or the county,"
Massillamany added. "Voters favoring local control and professional
planning should vote "NO" to referendum question number two."
