Plans for a new 75,000-square-foot Meijer store have been approved by the Fishers Township Planned Housing Committee and Planning Commission, which met Aug. 7 to review updated architectural renderings for the building, which also includes a gas station.
Final approval for the new grocery store at the corner of Southeastern Parkway and North Cyntheanne Road lies with the Fishers City Council.
Revised architectural features in the plan included raised parapets to conceal roof equipment, more color options for the precast concrete cladding, additional awnings on the exterior, and privacy screens for the exterior loading and storage areas. The gas station was also reconfigured so that the pumps no longer faced the street.
Brian Smallwood, a civil engineer who works at Meijer, told the PUD committee that landscaping was also changed to reduce the impact of car headlights on surrounding residential areas. He said a berm — raised ground — is planned around the edges of the property.
“It’s shown here … between 3 and 4 feet high, with landscaping on top,” he said. “It kind of snakes through. But the idea is that the landscaping berm along Southeastern (Parkway) will be the minimum height to shield traffic and headlights and things like that.”
During the Planning Commission meeting that immediately followed the PUD Committee meeting, numerous residents of neighboring neighborhoods spoke on the issue during a public hearing. Some opposed the plan, mainly because of increased traffic, while others supported the plans.
Marina McQueary said she felt the zoning should have been reviewed even though the site was intended for commercial use.
“Many planning and zoning commissions in Indiana have a deadline where if a site hasn’t been activated or developed within five to seven years, they’ll reapprove,” she said. “The one thing about it is, I feel like we all kind of moved to the middle of nowhere and had all these wonderful homes, and now all of a sudden we’re becoming a shopping destination.”
McQueary noted that in addition to general customer traffic from people shopping at the store, there will also be additional traffic from large trucks due to deliveries.
Terry Wilkins said the new store will be a positive addition to the area, especially for seniors in a nearby 55-plus community.
“Proximity to pharmacies ensures that seniors can get their medications quickly, which is critical for managing chronic diseases,” he said. “Nearby stores save time and energy, making daily tasks less burdensome for seniors. This convenience can greatly improve seniors’ quality of life and social and mental health. Local stores often serve as social gathering places for seniors to interact with neighbors and friends, which helps combat loneliness and isolation. They also provide employment opportunities, allowing seniors to supplement their income while contributing to community well-being.”
During the Planning Commission’s discussion of the proposal, Commission member Pete Peterson – who is also a city councilman – said the city cannot strip a property owner of his land rights.
“If it’s zoned a certain way, we can’t reverse it and rezone it without the consent of the landowner,” he said. “This was zoned commercial. It was planned as a commercial zone.”
Peterson agreed with those who said there would be disruption to traffic.
“I can’t push any development here, whether it’s houses, apartments or even businesses, without someone coming back and telling us, ‘You’re going to increase traffic,'” he said. “They’re not lying. Yes, we’re going to increase traffic. That’s what happens when you’re in a growing community.”
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a favorable recommendation for the updated Meijer plans, which now go to the Fishers City Council. The next council meeting is Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Fishers Municipal Center Theater, 1 Municipal Dr.
