Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing - May 4, 2021
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Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing - May 4, 2021
The Indianapolis Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held its first in-person hearing on May 4, 2021, with four board members present (McKay, Bohannon, Brandon, Taft). The meeting covered special requests (withdrawals, continuances, and transfers to expedited docket), an expedited docket of multiple variance petitions, and two full hearings. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Special Requests (Consent Calendar)
- 2020 DV1065 (2097 15 Park Davis Drive, Warren Township): Petitioner David Kingan requested withdrawal; acknowledged without vote.
- 2020 DV1082 (32 North Catherwood): Petitioner Joshua Findler requested a continuance to June 1, 2021; staff had no objection; board unanimously approved.
- 2021 UV1011 (1073 Oliver Avenue): Petitioner Sarah Walters requested withdrawal of two variance components and expedited handling of remaining issues; staff explained amendments; board unanimously approved expedited placement.
- 2021 DV1018 (233 East Minnesota Street): Petitioner Marcus Crouch requested transfer to expedited docket after reaching agreement with staff; one audience member expressed interest but did not object; staff had no objection; board unanimously approved.
- 2021 DV1015 (1402 and 1406 East Fletcher Avenue): Petitioner Marcus Crouch requested a continuance and transfer to May 18, 2021, to finalize a site plan; staff no objection; board unanimously approved continuance and transfer (corrected from DV1018 in the vote).
- 2021 UV1012 (619 Holly Avenue): Staff reported petitioner requested continuance to June 1, 2021; no objection; board unanimously approved continuance.
Public Comments & Testimony
- For 2021 UV1010 (1518 Renton Street), remonstrator Khalil La Al Mohaming (2618 Bethel Avenue) expressed opposition to the variance request. He was encouraged to discuss with the petitioner in the hallway; the case was moved to full hearing.
- During the expedited docket, an unidentified man in a pacer hat initially expressed interest in the Minnesota Street case but confirmed he was only an interested party and did not object.
Discussion Items
- Expedited Docket: The board read into record nine petitions (DV1017, DV1019, DV1020, DV1022, DV1023, UV1009, UV1010, HOV014, UV1011 amended, DV1018). After a remonstrator opposed UV1010, that case was moved to the full hearing. The board then voted unanimously to approve all remaining expedited petitions as read.
- Full Hearing – 2021 UV1008 (2807 West 10th Street, Wayne Township): Petitioner Eric Simmons requested variances to legally establish storage for a property management business (not lawn care, as he clarified), zero parking, and a six-foot fence with barbed wire. Staff recommended denial, citing the site's potential for urban mixed-use development and noting alternative security measures. Simmons argued the building is used only for overflow storage and that parking is unnecessary. Board member Brandon asked about modifying the request by removing barbed wire and adding pavement, but Simmons preferred his original request. The board voted 4–0 to approve the variances as originally requested, with a subsequent continuation to adopt findings of fact.
- Full Hearing – 2021 UV1010 (1518 Renton Street): Petitioner Jeffrey Zinsmeyer (Millennia Housing Development) requested a variance of use for a community building in a multifamily development. Remonstrator Derek Oliver (2626 Bethel Avenue) requested a continuance, stating the community had not been properly informed and needed time to discuss. Zinsmeyer cited a deadline for a tax credit application and opposed a long delay. After staff noted the deadline was in July, the board brokered a compromise: a two-week continuance to May 18, 2021, to allow a community meeting. Board voted unanimously to continue and transfer to May 18.
Key Outcomes
- 2021 UV1008 approved (4–0) as requested, with continuation for adoption of findings of fact.
- 2021 UV1010 continued and transferred to May 18, 2021, to allow community discussion.
- All special requests (withdrawals, continuances, expedited transfers) were granted unanimously.
- The expedited docket (except UV1010) was approved unanimously en bloc.
- Board also began adopting findings of fact for previously voted cases (2021 DV1014B denied by Brandon, McKay, Taft).
- The meeting adjourned with remarks about the first in-person hearing.
Meeting Transcript
So I'd like a motion. Bohanon. So move. Bohannon. Second. Brandon, second. Second by Brandon. I'll now ask for a vote. McKay? Aye. Bohannon. Aye. Brandon. Aye. And Taft is aye. And so we will now consider special requests at this time. Please note that there are only four board members present today, and your request will need three votes to take action on a request. If an indecisive vote occurs, your petition will be automatically continued to the next hearing of the board. Special requests. Chair person taft members of the board, David Kingan with offices at 618 East Market here before you today on 2020 DV1065. Property located 2097 15 Park Davis Drive in Warren Township representing ACH financial LLC. We have filed a written request to withdraw this petition. That is acknowledged. Thank you. Hello, good afternoon. Joshua Findler, uh petitioner 2020 D V1082 at 32 North Catherwood. Um my address is 735 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46203. Uh we would like to request a continuance to the June 1st 2021 hearing. Staff is aware of this request. Okay. Is there anyone in the audience who has an interest in 2020 D V 1082? Seeing none, we'll hear from staff. Thank you, Chairperson Taft, members of the board. Staff has no objection to the continuance. I believe that was to June 1st. Correct me if I'm incorrect. Okay. Is there a motion? Bohan is so move. Is there a second? Second. Um I'll pull the board. McKay. McKay, aye. Bohanan. Bohannan, I. Brandon. Aye. Taft aye. Uh 2020 D V1082 will be heard at our June hearing.
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