City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I now call the February 23rd, 2026 city council meeting to order. Please join in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Well, welcome to everyone. Um, you know, just out again like to just take at least a moment to uh recognize the recent loss of officer Elliot um in in Beach Grove and really just a reminder just to always keep our public safety um officers, you know, in our thoughts and prayers. Um there's no announcements. Um, we do have a proclamation um that I wanted to share that the city uh made a proclamation for the month of February that is go pink for Haley month um in honor of Haley Busby. Um very tragic situation of course and you know inspiring how the community rallied to support the family and it's you know inspiring to see the the pink lights and and uh ribbons you know all over the all over the city. Okay. Now we have some presentations. Uh we have Hamilton Southeastern High School We the People State Champions. you like to come up and say a few words?

Miss Chandler, will you uh kick us off?

I would think that's appropriate. Yes. Yes.

We have most of our team members here tonight. A couple people were unable to attend. We certainly thank you for honoring us this evening in our state championship. We'll be competing in a national competition midappril in the DC area and hopefully we'll have good news with that. We're working hard trying to prepare and um we thank you. If you don't know what we the people is, it is a competition that was started in to honor the uh bicentennial of the constitution in 1989. Uh it used to be sponsored by Congress and now it's not. The center for civic education out of California nationally and here in Indiana, the Indiana Bar Foundation sponsors the program. Uh we do the Bar Foundation does receive some assistance uh from the state government and budget to help with the program and promote it uh throughout the state. So, we're very excited to represent Fisers as well as um the school district of course. This is a I think a somewhat bittersweet uh announcement because in case some of you haven't noticed um Miss Chandler has announced her uh intentions to retire. And so this will likely be the last we the people competition that uh Miss Chandler will lead us on. And she's been just an extraordinary um frankly an institution at HSC schools. And uh thank you.

I did not come with the building just so you know. We did not come with the building. It's already there, part of it anyway. But, um, she will be sorely missed. Uh, and I can't thank her enough for her efforts. And if any of you have ever had the opportunity to guest judge, which I know many of you have, uh, seeing these young people articulate in such an an intelligent and mature way the issues of today uh, in our country, it really inspires us for hopefully the next generation will get civic discourse correct. Uh, and thank you, Miss Chandler, for all of your years of service as well. Best of luck to all the students. Um, if we could maybe get a picture with the team, that would be great. John, you want to come up? Yeah, sure.

Should we applaud Yeah, eventually we'll get

we can't we can't All right. Congratulations again to the team. Um, now we have several employee service awards for

uh John, if I could, I'd ask um because a number of these are specific to one department. We'll go by department versus years of service if we could. Gotcha. Sure. Yeah. So, I'd ask Chief Ragsdale to step forward if you could.

Good evening, everyone. Council, uh, I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to to stand in front of you and recognize some people that, uh, sometimes, uh, probably don't get the recognition that they deserve. We all know that we when you call 911, you go into people's houses, you go cars, fires, things like that. You just expect the fire department to show up. For me, there's names and behinds these faces, their stories. Uh this is a group of people that for decades now, 20, 25, and even 35 years of time, have got up in the middle of the night, responded to calls for service. They've missed ball games at home. They've missed birthdays, all things like that. So, I do appreciate the opportunity tonight to sit in front of you and recognize this group of people that for my money really have, I think, had sustainability over the course of decades to help this department become the great department that it is. It's it's the work and the character of each one of them that's helped define our culture. You got people behind me back in the bleachers that we'll bring up here briefly that have been a mentor to me growing uh up through the fire service and they're now in the world where they teach young firefighters. Uh we have, you know, over 150 people that they've had a a hand in each one of those really training them, making sure that they were great firefighters. They have done officer development, the work on trucks. They do everything that you could do to make this department great. So, I do appreciate the opportunity now to let them stand in front of you in a group that sometimes is humble enough that they don't always love being recognized, but I think it's very important, very valuable uh to bring them up tonight and introduce them all. So, if I could uh at the 35 year mark, we have Battalion Chief Steve White. if you can come up here. Eventually, also with 35 years, uh, division chief Jim Alderman,

firefighter Greg Sheiley couldn't be here tonight. He uh was sick. At the 25-y year mark, we have Battalion Chief Mike Zidell. 20-year mark is Battalion Chief Rob Hackett, firefighter Mike Hamilton, and Lieutenant Jeff Stevenson. Again, I thank you for your time and I thank them for their service. Thanks guys. Next, if I could ask Chief Gart to step up, please. Thank you for allowing me to recognize one of ours with 20 years of service. Tom Brooks, can you come forward? Tom's here with his wife, Laney. He was here to support him. Tom came to us in 2006 where uh he hit the ground running. And when I say running, he hasn't stopped since he hit the door. He uh was assigned to street patrol, quickly elevated to field training where he mentored and trained our new officers on

the department. And in 2017, he found his way into the investigation side of the house where he is a criminal forensic crime scene investigator. He's a graduate of the National Forensic Academy, which is a difficult course that gets them ready for the things he might see at crime scenes from various uh various things that come up on our radar. in 2023 was promoted to sergeant where he became in command of our digital forensics unit where he now supervises several detectives throughout the county and Hamilton County. He's also a member of our honor guard. He founded our drone team. He's won the distinguished service award in 2014 and in 2021. I really appreciate the work you've done as you continue to do it and you have my full support. Congratulations, Tom. Tracy, I'm used to being behind the camera, not on the camera. So, I'll keep this brief, but appreciate the opportunity to introduce the council to Melissa Crowe from our team who has been with the city for 20 years and uh actually met her husband at the job about a year later as well. Isaac's here supporting her as well. Melissa served in various title capacities, but fundamentally is a business analyst who works behind the scenes to ensure a lot of our complex software, specifically things related to human resources, uh, making sure people get paid, making sure we're getting people on boarded, offboarded properly, but has also been through many horror stories with document management systems and permitting and a variety of other things that would make a lot of us uh, gray and losing our hair fast. So, it's wonderful to have Melissa with the team. We appreciate her dedication and commitment to the organization. So, like to introduce you to Melissa Crow.

One side note, Melissa and I when I was an intern, we actually shared an office together. That's how fun.

That's awesome. Hi, council. Thank uh thank you for allowing me to be here. Uh today we are honoring Tony Holland in his 35 years of service with the city. I actually had to write some of this down. He um spent eight years with public works, 27 years with permitting and inspections, and of those 27, he has spent 11 years as assistant building commissioner. Tony, you want to come on up? This way.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. and and all the tenur employees. That's great. Um there are no council committee reports this month. Um moving on to department reports. Monica Helps, director of the health department, has put together the health department report. It's available online. Moving on to item seven, the consent agenda consists of two items. I request to approve the regular meeting minutes from the January 20th meeting and a resolution authorizing the city controller to transfer certain funds. Motion to approve. Second. Second. Motion by Pete. Second by John. All those in favor say I. I.

Opposed. Um and John, I'm abstaining from the minutes um because I wasn't. Yeah. Very good. Yep. Motion passes. All right. Okay. Next on the agenda, item number eight, resolution number 022326A, a resolution approving project agreement for Crossing Hotel.

Oh, okay. Thank you. Yeah. Number nine. Sorry about that. Uh, ordinance 022326, request to approve an amendment to chapter 180 of the Fiser Code of Ordinances for Health Department fees. Monik, you gonna present. Hello, city council. Monica Heltz, director of public health for the record. Just a couple of small amendments here on the fee schedule um so that we can begin to offer sports physicals in our clinic. Um, we're seeking a $25 fee for uh offering sports physicals and some amendment to the language on um what the on whether we can charge less than what the Medicare rate is, which is what we're seeking to do with that with that fee. I think our current fee says at the Medicare rate and we would like to also be able to charge less than the Medicare rate.

Okay, any questions? I'll make a motion to um suspend suspend the rules and approve on first reading. All right. Motion by Pete, uh, second by Selena to suspend the rules and vote on the first reading. All those in favor of suspending the rules, say I. I. Any opposed? Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Pete, second by John to approve ordinance 022326. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. All right, the motion passes. Thank you, Monica.

Thank you. All right. Next on the agenda is item 10, ordinance 022326A, a request to amend the 2026 salary ordinance. Ethan. Good evening, council. Ethan Lee, city officials uh human resources director. I'm here before you to request an amendment to our salary ordinance. This amendment would increase the maximum hourly rate of pay for health department part-time support staff. and uh happy to answer any questions. Motion to suspend the rules.

A motion by Pete, second by Todd to suspend the rules and vote on the first reading. All those in favor of suspending the rules, say I. I. Opposed. Motion to approve. All right. Motion to approve ordinance 022326A. Um motion by Pete, second by Todd. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. All right, motion passes.

Thanks, Ethan. All right, next on the agenda number 11, uh, ordinance 012026C, a consideration of a reszone from R2 residential to PUD C for a memory care facility at 10990 Brook School Road. Um, and just to share, any written comments that have been submitted by residents have been received and distributed among the council. Ross,

good evening. Uh, Ross Hillary, planning zoning for the city of Fisers. Uh, one correction I do want to note on there. It is a PUDR. Um, but tonight is a consideration of reszoneing 6 acres from R2 residential to PUDR for a 7500 square foot memory care facility. Uh, the property is currently zoned R2 residential. Uh, the PUD uses R2 zoning district as the base zoning district. Uh, with addition of memory care as a use. The beauty is limited to a building square footage of 7,500 square feet with a maximum of 12 individuals. Uh the 2040 comprehensive plan calls for this area to be suburban residential uh with the primary land use in that area being single family residential. This would allow uh 2 to four units per acre, which approximately is uh two single family homes on this lot. Uh the adjacent feature lane use of this property is a state residential to the south uh which is the breakwater neighborhood and then suburban residential with the sandstone null and Hamilton proper subdivisions adjacent. Included in the reszone is a pre uh excuse me included in the reszone is a preliminary site plan which is shown here as well as an elevation. Um plan commission did meet on February 4th with approximately 25 residents in attendance. Uh there's 14 public comments. 10 of those were in objection uh to this use uh primarily residents of the breakwater neighborhood. Uh the plane commission is sending no recommendation before you tonight. Um staff does believe this use and the pling development is an acceptable reuse of the property. Uh the use along with the smallcale memory care uh within our community while keeping a residential nature. Petitioner David Lzenby as well as David Morgan are here uh to answer any additional questions and have a short presentation.

Good evening. My name is David Lesnby and I'm a developer based in Carmel and I'm here representing Story Cottage and Story Custom Development. With me tonight on behalf of the applicant is David Morgan and Brandt Borum. also with Story Cottage. Tonight, we are here uh for you to consider our application for a request to allow a memory care group home for adults. I will show you how Story Cottage directly implements Fisers adopted housing strategies and how it responds to a community need all while remaining residential in scale and in character. First, the site. It consists of86 acres as Ross indicated on Brooks School Road. Under the current R2 zoning, given that there are two lots here, two single family homes are permitted with no square footage limit. Under the city's UDO, residential care facilities and group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, or delinquent children are permitted uses in the R2 district. Either one of those could be built here today. However, the UDO does not expressly address small family style group homes for adults, including seniors with memory loss. It is because of that gap that we're here tonight. The proposal before you resolves that anomaly and provides a means to allow group homes for seniors while maintaining all other R2 restrictions. So, how do we resolve it? First, the parcel would be combined into one like it was historically. Second, the PUD adds memory care as an allowed use and all other R2 uses and design standards would remain. Third, there would be a maximum of 12 individuals that would be allowed to live in the home. And last, the home

could be no larger, bless you, no larger than 7,500 square feet. What is Story Cottage and why do I believe it's an important part of the city's future? We're going to talk a little bit about both of those tonight. It's a boutique memory care home designed and operated as an alternative to large facilities where people can live in proximity to their former homes and near their current loved ones. Story Cottage is a local company. This would be the sixth location. Each home is intentionally designed to be residential in nature, one story, custom home materials, extensive landscaping, no signage, and no institutional appearance. There are two to three care caregivers present at all times. It's all private pay, approximately $11,000 per month, and families remain closely involved. It includes private bedrooms, kitchen, a dining room, a den, and a backyard. It has all the components of a home and it functions just like that one as well. I'll show you more of what Story Cottage looks like on the outside here in a few moments, but I wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like on the inside. If it's approved here tonight, the elderly that will be living here will most likely have lived their lives in Fisers. It's where they've raised families and built businesses and contributed to the community. And now caregivers would be helping them live their remaining years with dignity. It's designed intentionally to feel like a traditional home environment because research shows that familiar residential settings improve the quality of life for those with memory loss. Now, I want to call attention first to a few plans uh before we look at what the home looks like. We believe this proposal complies with the Fischer's comprehensive plan for a couple reasons. It promotes vibrant neighborhoods

through thoughtful infill development. It expands housing choices. It supports aging in place and it addresses the needs of households with disabilities. All of those are in the Fiser's comprehensive plan. It is exactly the kind of smallcale infield development envisioned by the plan. Next, it's not just about the comp plan. Other plans have called out the need for senior housing because you as a city are way out front on this issue. You have two other studies that have talked about it in the last few years. First, the city's accessible housing guide in 2023 identified that among the greatest needs in Fisers is quote sufficient memory care beds. And I pulled a couple other stats. I know people don't dig into these things that often, but I pulled a couple other stats out of that I thought were important. 7% of Fiser residents live with a disability. That's over 7,000 people today. 1,458 residents have limitations significant enough to merit residential accommodations and supportive services. And finally, just looking at the older segment of the residents 75 and older, it found 43.7% living with a disability. Second, the Fischer's housing needs analysis from a year prior to that estimated that the population over 80 will grow 1.6% to 4.7% by 2040. That's approximately 4,733 residents that will need some form of senior housing. Of course, housing strategy number one, as you see up there, hit it head-on, specifically calls out for encouraging development of a variety of housing units. So, the data is very clear on this that senior housing will be the most in demand type of housing in Fisers over the next 20 years. Now, I understand property values are often a primary concern raised by neighbors for any new development,

but for this one, there's been a lot of studies, and in your brochure that was submitted, you have some information on that. More than 50 independent scientific studies have examined the impact of small residential care homes on surrounding property values. The consistent conclusion is this. When the homes are not clustered and they operate under oversight, they do not negatively impact property values, turnover, safety, or even neighborhood character. In addition to the 50 plus studies nationally, we have a local example that we can look at pretty closely in West Clay and Caramel where Story Cottage operates today. Over the course of eight years, since 2018, four years before cottage opened and the four years since, the median price of a home within one mile grew 39%. And within a quarter mile, it grew 47%. And as you can see, there really is no difference in the trend line after it opened in 2022. Additionally, this project represents a $2.5 million investment in acquisition and construction costs, which is consistent with some of the highest assessed values in the surrounding area. As a reminder, as discussed at the plan commission, the city's traffic engineer concluded that this home will generate fewer than five vehicular trips during the peak AM and PM evening hours and will not have an adverse impact on the surrounding roadway network. We believe that two single family homes, which can be built under the current zoning with teenagers living there, could potentially generate comparable amounts of traffic. I've mentioned before how this home is designed to blend into the neighborhood. There is no sight lighting, there's no exterior alarms, there's no outdoor events, there's no striped parking lot. Typically, there are only two cars parked there at night. It's quite honestly one of the quietest neighbors on the block.

The site plan you can see the extensive landscaping which is consistent with the largest surrounding homes. The home features a front porch, outdoor pergola and a fenced in backyard features similar to any other similar size house in Fisers. From Brooks School Road, the home presents as a highquality custom home with substantial landscaping. The driveways residential in scale and there's no institutional appearance. From the west, notice a singlestory structure with articulated roof lines, residential materials, and a landscaped yard. Residents can be outside just like anyone else can in their home, gardening, under the pergola, reading, what have you. Before I end, I want to briefly mention a bit about disabilities. The residents who live in Story Cottage have Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. These conditions qualify as disabilities under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. And as we outlined in the appendix of theformational brochure that you received, this resoning request is reasonable and necessary for our residents to enjoy housing of their choice, and it is not an undue burden on the city. Finally, Fischers is known for its high quality of life, and you all win lots of awards for that. But as the city matures, there's an increased responsibility to provide housing for seniors and doing it for all seniors with dignity becomes very important. And I think Fisers can win awards for that, too. The proposal that you're voting on this evening is residential in scale. It's restricted in its use. It's supported by adopted city policy. It's backed by a documented need. and it's been studied for traffic and property value impact and it is supported by many residents and fisers. We respectfully request your approval. Thank you.

Happy to answer any additional questions. You have questions from council. I do have one question. You you'd mentioned there's two or three people that are going to be there with the residents. You have any any what type of you know are these professional designated people? They're just people you hire to watch over them. Just curious.

Yeah. So it's overseen by a nurse kind of we have a private concier nursing service that comes and oversees it and then the actual caregivers are CNAs or home health aids. I think all all of them are CNAs now, but super experienced like highly credential focused on dementia care. Thank you. Thank you. Oh yeah, sorry. David Morgan story. Thanks.

Any other questions? Here's a motion to approve. I'll make a motion that we approve this. It is definitely needed in Fisers. Uh I live in Del Web. average age is 76 and we probably have 45 uh people with levels of dementia. So I would like to see many more of these built in Fisers because we have a need for it and I appreciate you bringing this to Fisers. Thank you very much. Okay. Motion by Brad. Second. Second by Bill. All those in favor? John. John, I was wanting to see if we could do a recall though, please. Roll call.

Roll call. Sorry, not recall. Roll call vote. Sure. That's okay. Bill Stewart. I Todd Zimmerman. I Selena Stler. I Brad Dramer. Hi.

Cecilia Cobalt. Um I I wanted an opportunity to explain my vote before I make the actual vote. Um this is this is a very difficult um decision because as as you all know I do a lot with um disabilities. My my father was just in a memory care facility. Um so I'm very familiar with the project itself and and the care and the need for sure. Um, I have I've been bombarded with um a lot of concerns from the surrounding neighborhoods and I I live nearby there so I can see um what goes on on the on the roads and everything. And that's mostly the main thing and um I like the concept. It's beautiful. It's it's what we need. We do need more of these concepts. But I I do have despite the um assessment of the traffic and all that, there are there are a lot of concerns on that street, especially with this parcel being so close to um the dip and the the visibility, poor visibility and sight lines and um I really am just concerned about um how this is going to impact um what we have right now and and there's been a lot of accidents and so for the for that reason I'm going to be a no tonight.

John Weingart. Hi. Pete Peterson. Yes. John Deluchia. I abstain. There's one abstension, one nay and six. Yay. Oh, I'm sorry. Selena. Seven. The motion passes. All right. Motion passes.

Thank you. All right. Next up is item 022326B. Uh first reading of uh text amendment to the IKEA putt. Good evening. Uh for the record, uh Ross Hillary, city officials, before you is ordinance 022326, uh B, which is a text amendment to the IKEA PUD. I will wait just a moment.

Give a second. As mentioned, the consideration of text amendment to the IKEA PUD uh which is including uh the subdivision of one lot um in three blocks as well as updating the uses and standards for block A and block B which I will explain. The address of uh the IKEA QD is 11400 IKEA way. Uh summary of this is the text amendment applies to block A and block B which on this uh map you can see there block one is the IKEA fissurers location. Uh all uses um to that structure will remain as it is. So this only pertains to block A and block B um that are shown there. Uh the uses that are going to be allowed um or proposed or C3 commercial um along with several items that are not permitted. Um, it will include up to two drive-throughs, one per lot. Um, it aligns with the adjacent Sunbeam PUD. Uh, block A is approximately 2.15 acres and block B is approximately 2.48 acres. A replot is expected to go before our plat committee in April of this uh year. Um, the replat does include cross access easements uh for both of these lots. Um, no standards are changing as mentioned for the IKEA building. Uh timeline for this um is first reading uh tonight before uh city council. We do anticipate a public hearing at plan commission in March and then we'll return back here um in March for final reading. Happy to answer any questions on this. Um and Max Mouser on behalf of Sunbeam is also here to answer any questions.

Ross, just so everybody has the same clarification, you and I spoke today about this just so I get an understanding what we're doing. The will not allow any curb cuts along the What road is that? Is that IKEA? What is that? A keyway and USA Parkway. Correct. So, if they're going to have drive-throughs, they're going to be accessed off the interior and not allowed access directly back out into a keyway. Correct. Yes, that's the intent. So, engineering dictates all um curb cuts and with the intersection improvements that already exist there and the crossaxis easements that are being proposed, the intent is that they would be off of that internal drive.

Yeah. when they come back for the antenna, I'm going to make sure they're not on that main road if I have any say about it because I I don't want those coming in on the drive-thru if we can help it there. So, I appreciate that. I'll have a question. What is box C? It looks Yeah, great question. Um, so block C is uh where those KIA flags are located right now. Um, so that is part of this block. Um, so those standards would not change. Those flags uh go back. It's a carve out. Yeah, I knew it was a carve out for something. I just didn't know what. So, okay, I give it a first reading. Okay, first reading.

All right, next on the agenda, first reading, um, ordinance 022326 C, consideration of text amendment to the Fiser 2040 plan.

Ross Hillary, city of Fisers. Uh, before you is our 2040 text amendment to update the Fiser Thorfare plan. Uh we do this annually and wanted to present this back in front of you. Um in the council action form there was a long list of updates to this but just wanted to bring out a couple key items. Um so the intersection improvements at 116th and Klutz Farm Boulevard um is located on this update as well as improvements along the Brooks school road corridor. Uh various uh new local roads and subdivisions and then uh updates that are anticipated in the Saxony area. So happy to answer any questions on this. It also is anticipated to go to plank commission in March and return here later that month.

Questions from council. I have a question, but you can give it you can answer it at uh plane commission, but I'd like an update on the 116th and Allisonville. I know that's been switched from roundabout to intersection. We're talking timelines. I'm getting asked questions from neighbors about cutthroughs and different things like that of how that's going to be handled. Okay. First reading. Oh, and a private road update at that time might be good, too, because the king of private roads will be asking. Got it. Any other questions? All right. First reading.

Yep. First reading. Okay. Next. Uh number 13. Uh this is a public hearing. Uh for item 13, ordinance 111725E, a request to approve a voluntary annexation of Lynwood Hills. Lindsay.

Good evening, council. Lindsay Bennett, Corporation Council. Uh this was an ordinance that was before you in November. Um today is just a public hearing. The um adoption will be brought back in April. Um, essentially this is an annexation uh that is being done in conjunction with a septic elimination sewer connection project in a neighborhood called Lynwood Hills over at 13 31st and Allisonville Road. Uh, we did get over 51% of the voluntary annexation petition. So, this is considered um a voluntary annexation. Um, but I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.

You have questions from council. Okay. There won't be a vote taken on this item. It's only a public hearing. I'll go ahead and open the public hearing. If you wish to speak, you may come to the podium and address the council. Please state your name and address for the record and you'll be given three minutes. Okay, seeing none, thanks uh everyone. Close the public hearing and we'll see you. Uh Lindsay, is we still waiting on the on the on the on the financial plan or why are we not voting? Uh it is just uh the statutory scheme for annexations. Uh it allows for an extended period of time uh between the public hearing and the actual adoption of the ordinance. It's a fairly long process.

Thank you. So it'll be in April. I think it'll be back.

All right. Any other new or unfinished business? All right. Seeing none, I'll now open it up for community comment. Any member of the public wishing to speak may come up to the podium and address the council. Please state your name and address for the record and you will be given uh three minutes. Amy Perry 106 Chippenham Lane. Good evening everyone. I'd like to invite you to enjoy the beauty of Richie Woods along with a clever, healthfocused, self-guided walk this coming Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. It's called the Heart Hike. I'll be there as one of the volunteer greeters. There will be heart-healthy tips from the Fischer Health Department. Many families have a tradition of coming every year, so you might see some people you know, some of your constituents. I'm inviting you on behalf of the parks department, the health department, and the new walking group that walks every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. I'll be glad to show you piles of honeysuckle that were removed last fall, so you can see what I talk about when I talk about invasive plants. The weather forecast for Saturday is for sunny with a high of 59. So maybe some early wild flowers will be blooming and the park employees and I can point them out to you. Would you get out your phones and enter HeartHike on Saturday, February 28th from 10:00 a.m. to noon?

Okay, thank you. Any other comments? Hello, it's uh Ross Reinhardt, 7704 Creek Side Court. Um I just wanted to comment on um tonight I think we saw uh on display how land use and transportation are very closely linked. Um in the story of the story cottage, you know, we could see something that was very much in line uh with our goals for housing in the community and a lot of the objections and frust and you know things that potentially could tank it were concerns around traffic um and where the cars go. Uh and you see that repeated often uh as we you know look to infill parts of fisers and I think where we are as fisers where we don't have as much uh land that isn't developed yet we're going to have to come up with more intensive uses uh in fisers we're going to see that challenge more and more if our transportation system is purely car dependent. Um and so I think that's why it's important for us uh as a city to consider um getting other things in the mix like public transportation and of course walking and biking um to be able to free up the roads so that you know those that have to drive can have an easier time driving um and we can be able to use these have these more intensive land uses without that restriction. Um there's lots of other benefits uh from a land use perspective for us from doing that as well. um you know something like 15% of rent in a multif family building ends up paying for the the place to put the car for the person in the building. Um so as much as we can minimize that you get more affordable housing. Um looking at the Federal Highway Association stats for the Hooser state

um so about almost a third of Hoosiers uh don't drive that can't drive a car. A good part of those are young people. Um, and so by creating these alternatives, uh, like public transportation, we're opening up opportunities for a whole swath of of Hoosiers that can't that aren't served by our own only car dependent system to be able to get around our cities. So, yeah, I just wanted to bring that to I think that was a great example and wanted to to highlight that tonight. Thank you.

Yeah. Thank you, Ross. Any other public comments? And just a reminder, any submitted by residents that you know via email were received and distributed and they'll go in the record just as if they were presented there. Seeing no other comments. Motion to adjourn. All right. Motion by John, second by Todd. We are ajourned.