By Sadie Hunter
With five (Roy Johnson, Greg O’Connor, Rick Taylor, Steve Wood, Jeff Zeckel) of its seven members present (Brian Ayer, Mark Boice absent), the Noblesville Common Council met for a regular meeting on Oct. 14. The council will meet again at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 16 S. 10th St.
What happened: The council approved (5-0) a change in zoning from ‘heavy industrial’ to ‘downtown’ for the property on the north side of Walnut Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets.
Why it matters: Rezoning this property allows for a new use of the land, bringing future development to the downtown area. Allowed in ‘downtown’ zoning is mixed use development, including both retail and residential space. “This seems to fit very congruently with what we want on this particular parcel,” Councilor Greg O’Connor said. “I don’t think we have another zoning classification that fits this any better than what’s being proposed.” Councilor Jeff Zeckel said, “If you look through our history, that was a very active rail line up and down Eighth Street … There was a large furniture factory over the years. There was a porcelain factory, the foundry, the strawboard and that’s in our past. So, I feel for 2015, the (downtown) is a very appropriate zoning classification.”
What happened: Andy Wert, assistant director of planning, introduced and held a public hearing for an ordinance for the annexation of the Templeton Ridge apartment complex, at the east side of Gray Road, 1/4 mile north of 146th Street, and a resolution adopting its fiscal plan. The council adopted the resolution.
Why it matters: The annexation would add approximately 25 contiguous acres into the city’s corporate limits within Council District #4.
What’s next: The council will vote on the ordinance at its Oct. 27 meeting.
What happened: Holly Ramon, director of human resources, introduced two salary ordinances for 2016 to the council—one for elected city officials and one for appointed city officials and city employees.
Why it matters: Each year, ordinances determining salaries for city employees are passed. For 2016, both ordinances proposed show a zero increase across the board and will not add to the 2016 budget.
What’s next: The council will hold a public hearing for the two ordinances at its Oct. 27 meeting.
What happened: The council held a public hearing for the proposed 2016 budget. No community members spoke.
Why it matters: Mayor John Ditslear said the 2016 budget is “in the black” by $10,000 after 2015’s “in the red” budget.
What’s next: The council will vote on the ordinance for the 2016 budget at its Oct. 27 meeting.
What happened: The council passed an amended resolution preliminarily approving the terms of a development agreement between the city of Noblesville and Indy NE Lodging Associates LLC, after introduction by city attorney Mike Howard, for a seven-story, full-service Embassy Suites by Hilton and a 25,000-square-foot privately owned and operated conference center on 15 acres at the southwest corner of Olio Road and Tegler Drive, just east of Hamilton Town Center.
Why it matters: The first step for the proposed development, the resolution would give the developer a 10-year tax abatement (100 percent for five years and 80 percent for the following five years) on the property, set to open by the end of 2017.
