Board grants preliminary variance for Noblesville police headquarters drainage plan with recordkeeping conditions
June 22, 2026 | Hamilton County, Indiana
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The Hamilton County Drainage Board on June 8 gave preliminary approval to a variance requested by the City of Noblesville for the proposed Noblesville Police Headquarters on the former Bridgestone Firestone site at 1700 Firestone Boulevard.
Steve Cash of the Surveyor’s Office presented the request for relief from Drainage Board Ordinances 03‑25‑02A and 04‑26‑99C related to stormwater release‑rate standards. Deputy Mayor Matt Light said the two‑story headquarters is a major public‑safety capital project intended to serve the city for 15 to 20 years, and outlined environmental safeguards the city has put in place during acquisition and design: soil management measures, deed restrictions, vapor mitigation systems and adherence to EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements.
City engineers and JPS Consulting Engineers described a drainage approach intended to avoid disturbing contaminated soils by using surface bioswales and above‑ground detention rather than underground facilities. Staff said the design outlets to the Elwood Wilson Drain upstream of known contaminated areas and includes stormwater treatment prior to discharge.
Board members discussed long‑term liability, indemnification, the need to maintain permanent records of environmental controls, and potential future water‑quality monitoring. The Board approved the preliminary variance “subject to review of hold harmless and related agreements,” and requested that all relevant environmental and site management documents be maintained as part of the permanent record and incorporated into outlet permit conditions. Christine Altman moved the motion; Steven C. Dillinger seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The site is a redevelopment of a former industrial property with known contamination concerns; the Board conditioned its preliminary approval on legal and recordkeeping safeguards to limit future county exposure and ensure oversight.
What’s next: The item will return for a final Drainage Board decision after the county reviews hold‑harmless language and the city provides documentation for permanent recordkeeping and permit conditions.
Steve Cash of the Surveyor’s Office presented the request for relief from Drainage Board Ordinances 03‑25‑02A and 04‑26‑99C related to stormwater release‑rate standards. Deputy Mayor Matt Light said the two‑story headquarters is a major public‑safety capital project intended to serve the city for 15 to 20 years, and outlined environmental safeguards the city has put in place during acquisition and design: soil management measures, deed restrictions, vapor mitigation systems and adherence to EPA and Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements.
City engineers and JPS Consulting Engineers described a drainage approach intended to avoid disturbing contaminated soils by using surface bioswales and above‑ground detention rather than underground facilities. Staff said the design outlets to the Elwood Wilson Drain upstream of known contaminated areas and includes stormwater treatment prior to discharge.
Board members discussed long‑term liability, indemnification, the need to maintain permanent records of environmental controls, and potential future water‑quality monitoring. The Board approved the preliminary variance “subject to review of hold harmless and related agreements,” and requested that all relevant environmental and site management documents be maintained as part of the permanent record and incorporated into outlet permit conditions. Christine Altman moved the motion; Steven C. Dillinger seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The site is a redevelopment of a former industrial property with known contamination concerns; the Board conditioned its preliminary approval on legal and recordkeeping safeguards to limit future county exposure and ensure oversight.
What’s next: The item will return for a final Drainage Board decision after the county reviews hold‑harmless language and the city provides documentation for permanent recordkeeping and permit conditions.
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