Keystone Construction had attempted to build a retail building and parking garage at the corner of College Avenue and Westfield Boulevard, but the project sits in a flood plain nearly 4 feet below the elevation required for buildings in the area.

"What we're asking is very consistent with the existing elevation within structures in and around the area,” said attorney Joe Calderon.

Neighborhood groups were opposed to the construction because it could raise area flood insurance rates, RTV6's Jack Rinehart reported.

"If they could afford to flood-proof after FEMA stops us as a city, they can afford to flood-proof it before they build it,” said Pat Andrews with Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations.

Adam Collins, of the Department of Code Enforcement, said the project’s developers were granted a continuance and had made adjustments to their plans to meet the zoning requirements, but the board voted against the changes.

"Because we were unable to accurately provide an assessment of that risk, we have to fall back on our default position which from a public safety standpoint, we would recommend denial,” Collins said.

Keystone Construction will now have to come back before the board with a different plan in order to move forward with the project.

"Obviously, we're disappointed. But we're committed to building the garage for the neighborhood and merchants in Broad Ripple. We'll make a commitment for this and assess our options,” developer Ersal Ozdemin said.