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Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division One Meeting - May 14, 2024

Board of Zoning Appeals ITuesday, May 14, 2024
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionBoard of Zoning Appeals I
DateTuesday, May 14, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Yes, thank you.

0:05

Good afternoon, everybody.

0:06

I'm gonna call this meeting to order.

0:08

This is a public hearing of the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, Division One.

0:13

I am Peter Nelson, Acting Chairperson of Division One.

0:16

The other board members present are David Duncan, Natalia Rodriguez Hilt, Beth Brandon, and Tom Barnes.

0:23

Legal counsel for the board today is Chris Steinmetz.

0:26

Staff members present today from the Division of Planning are Eddie O'Neilla, Principal Planner 2, Robert Ulenake, Senior Planner, Noah Stern, Associate Planner, Nancy Whitaker, Acting Specialist and Secretary to the Board.

0:39

Marty Weistee, Senior Board Specialist and Secretary to the Board.

0:44

Matt Pleasant is the current planning administrator.

0:48

The board has copies of the zoning ordinances that'll be incorporated by reference into the record of each case heard today.

0:55

The proceedings of this hearing are governed by the board's rules of procedure.

0:59

The expedited cases will be heard immediately after all requests for continuances or withdrawals.

1:04

As each non-expedited case is called, petitioners and remonstrators interested in that particular case will please stand.

1:11

Those who intend to testify will please remain standing and be sworn.

1:14

Petitioners should be on your left and remonstrators on your right as you face the board.

1:19

Those who testify will state their name and address for the record before beginning to testify.

1:24

Petitioners and persons appearing in support of the case being heard shall have a maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation of evidence statements and arguments in support of the petition.

1:34

Remonstrators and persons appearing in opposition to the petition shall have a maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation of evidence statements and arguments in opposition to the petition.

1:44

Staff will then present the administrator's comments regarding the petition.

1:47

The petitioner will then be allowed a five minutes for rebuttal and a summation of the case.

1:52

Rebuttal must be limited to the subject matter of the initial presentations.

1:56

Remonstrators will then be allowed five minutes for rebuttal of the petitioner's rebuttal evidence and a brief closing statement.

2:03

No further evidence, statements, or arguments will be heard unless it is at the discretion of the board.

2:08

Please limit your testimony and evidence to matters covered in the statutory requirements, which must be met in order for the board to grant a variance.

2:16

If the petitioners have failed to comply with all notice requirements as stipulated by the board's rules of procedure, including posting of the notice sign on subject property at least 23 days prior to the hearing, the board may continue the petition.

2:28

Anyone at this hearing who thanks complete and proper notice has not been given and would like the petition continued due to lack of a proper notice must bring this matter to the board's attention at the beginning of the hearing.

2:39

The board may impose various conditions or commitments as amendments before reaching a decision on certain petitions.

2:46

The installation of landscaping and screening, the paving of parking areas, and the dedications of rights of way are examples.

2:52

These conditions and commitments are an integral part of the board's decision and must be met for a granted variance to be valid.

2:58

Compliance with conditions imposed by the board must be proved by an affidavit of compliance submitted by the petitioner within 30 days of completion.

3:05

Unless otherwise specified, an improvement location permit must be obtained prior to the establishment of the authorized improvements.

3:12

Failure to comply with any conditions or commitments of a variance grant is a violation enforceable by the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

3:20

A person may file a written request to receive notice of the filing of a petition for judicial review of a decision of the board.

3:26

The written request must be filed within five days of the board's decision and must include the person's full name and correct mailing address and a reference to the board's petition number.

3:35

Forms are available and may be obtained from the board secretary.

3:39

Please be advised that contacting members of the board regarding a matter pending before the board outside of this public hearing process is prohibited.

3:47

Please be courteous and orderly at all times, and please be sure all cell phone ringers are turned off.

3:53

Is there anyone in the audience who has any questions about our procedures?

3:59

Okay.

4:00

Before we hear special requests, I will ask for a waiver of our rules of procedure to allow the board to vote for all expedited petitions and adopt their findings of fact without any additional testimony from the individual petitioners.

4:13

Can I get a motion for that?

4:15

Duncan, so moved.

4:16

And is there a second?

4:18

Brandon, second.

4:19

All right, motion and a second.

4:20

I will call for a vote.

4:21

Duncan.

4:22

Duncan, yes.

4:23

Rodriguez Hilt.

4:24

Rodriguez Hilt, yes.

4:25

Brandon.

4:26

Brandon, yes.

4:27

Barnes.

4:28

Barnes.

4:28

And Nelson votes yes.

4:30

At this time we will consider special requests and continuances.

4:39

Good afternoon.

4:41

My name is Alan Jacobson.

4:43

I'm with Schmidt Associates Architects and Engineers.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use███████████████████████████████████████39%
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████37%
Land Use Regulation██████████10%
Pending Litigation██████████10%
Sign Regulation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division One Meeting - May 14, 2024

The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division One convened on May 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM under Acting Chairperson Peter Nelson. Board members present included David Duncan, Natalia Rodriguez Hilt, Beth Brandon, and Tom Barnes. Legal counsel Chris Steinmetz and planning staff were also in attendance. The meeting addressed continuances, expedited petitions, public hearings on variance requests, and a litigation settlement offer.

Consent Calendar

  • The board voted unanimously to waive rules of procedure to allow expedited petitions to be voted on without additional testimony. The five expedited petitions (2024 DV1085, DV1016, UV1003, UV1005, and DV1013) were all approved unanimously by ballot.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mary Clark (International Marketplace Coalition) commented on the continuance request for 2024 UV1007 (5075 West 38th Street), indicating no objection to the continuance.

Discussion Items

  • Continuances & Special Requests:
    • 2024 DV1013 (North Central High School signage): Moved to expedited docket by unanimous vote.
    • 2024 UV2003 (1402 Shelby Street): Request to transfer fees to a rezone petition; variance withdrawn. Unanimous approval.
    • 2024 DV201 (Evanston Avenue): Continued to June 4, 2024, with new notice. Unanimous.
    • 2024 DV1014 (2120 English Avenue): Continued to June 4, 2024, with new notice (staff request). Unanimous.
    • 2024 UV1006 (2052-2102 South Meridian Street): Automatic continuance to June 4, 2024, acknowledged.
    • 2024 UV1007 (5075 West 38th Street): Continued to June 4, 2024, with new notice (staff request). Unanimous.
    • 2024 DV3001 (6027 Castle Bar Circle): Withdrawn and acknowledged.
    • 2024 DV1012 (909 North Parishing Avenue): Withdrawn and acknowledged.
  • Public Hearing – 2024 DV1009 (7436 West Henry Street): Petitioners Charles Powell and Ryan Freeman sought a variance to construct a 1,728-square-foot pole barn (43% larger than the 1,208-square-foot primary dwelling). Staff recommended denial, citing concerns about commercial use and the availability of alternative building configurations. The board voted 3-2 to grant the variance, with members noting the family’s long-term ownership and storage needs.
  • Public Hearing – 2024 DV1006 (5565 Bertha Street): Juan Carlos Lopez Cortez and Sylvia Concholo Medina requested a variance for a detached garage encroaching into an electrical utility easement (4.5-foot rear yard setback instead of 5 feet, and 2-foot side yard setback). The garage was already built without permits. Staff recommended denial due to safety and easement concerns. Despite warnings, the board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the variance, with the understanding that utility easement rights remain unaffected.
  • Public Hearing – 2024 DV1015 (951 Tecumseh Street): Attorney Alex Betty presented on behalf of petitioner Alisa Povov for a carriage house located in front of the established building line and a 14.5-foot rear yard setback. Staff clarified the rear setback was not needed and recommended approval. The carriage house would be 22 feet from the front lot line, consistent with neighboring structures. The board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve.

Key Outcomes

  • Expedited petitions: All five approved unanimously.
  • Continuances and withdrawals: All eight actions approved or acknowledged as noted.
  • DV1009 (pole barn): Granted (3-2).
  • DV1006 (garage in easement): Granted (5-0).
  • DV1015 (carriage house): Granted (5-0).
  • Settlement offer rejection: The board unanimously voted to reject a settlement offer in the judicial review case SNS Center LLC v. Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals (cause number 49D06-2208-PL-029313, related to variance for auto sales at 8930 West Washington Street).

Meeting Transcript

Yes, thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. I'm gonna call this meeting to order. This is a public hearing of the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, Division One. I am Peter Nelson, Acting Chairperson of Division One. The other board members present are David Duncan, Natalia Rodriguez Hilt, Beth Brandon, and Tom Barnes. Legal counsel for the board today is Chris Steinmetz. Staff members present today from the Division of Planning are Eddie O'Neilla, Principal Planner 2, Robert Ulenake, Senior Planner, Noah Stern, Associate Planner, Nancy Whitaker, Acting Specialist and Secretary to the Board. Marty Weistee, Senior Board Specialist and Secretary to the Board. Matt Pleasant is the current planning administrator. The board has copies of the zoning ordinances that'll be incorporated by reference into the record of each case heard today. The proceedings of this hearing are governed by the board's rules of procedure. The expedited cases will be heard immediately after all requests for continuances or withdrawals. As each non-expedited case is called, petitioners and remonstrators interested in that particular case will please stand. Those who intend to testify will please remain standing and be sworn. Petitioners should be on your left and remonstrators on your right as you face the board. Those who testify will state their name and address for the record before beginning to testify. Petitioners and persons appearing in support of the case being heard shall have a maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation of evidence statements and arguments in support of the petition. Remonstrators and persons appearing in opposition to the petition shall have a maximum of 15 minutes for the presentation of evidence statements and arguments in opposition to the petition. Staff will then present the administrator's comments regarding the petition. The petitioner will then be allowed a five minutes for rebuttal and a summation of the case. Rebuttal must be limited to the subject matter of the initial presentations. Remonstrators will then be allowed five minutes for rebuttal of the petitioner's rebuttal evidence and a brief closing statement. No further evidence, statements, or arguments will be heard unless it is at the discretion of the board. Please limit your testimony and evidence to matters covered in the statutory requirements, which must be met in order for the board to grant a variance. If the petitioners have failed to comply with all notice requirements as stipulated by the board's rules of procedure, including posting of the notice sign on subject property at least 23 days prior to the hearing, the board may continue the petition. Anyone at this hearing who thanks complete and proper notice has not been given and would like the petition continued due to lack of a proper notice must bring this matter to the board's attention at the beginning of the hearing. The board may impose various conditions or commitments as amendments before reaching a decision on certain petitions. The installation of landscaping and screening, the paving of parking areas, and the dedications of rights of way are examples. These conditions and commitments are an integral part of the board's decision and must be met for a granted variance to be valid. Compliance with conditions imposed by the board must be proved by an affidavit of compliance submitted by the petitioner within 30 days of completion. Unless otherwise specified, an improvement location permit must be obtained prior to the establishment of the authorized improvements. Failure to comply with any conditions or commitments of a variance grant is a violation enforceable by the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. A person may file a written request to receive notice of the filing of a petition for judicial review of a decision of the board. The written request must be filed within five days of the board's decision and must include the person's full name and correct mailing address and a reference to the board's petition number. Forms are available and may be obtained from the board secretary. Please be advised that contacting members of the board regarding a matter pending before the board outside of this public hearing process is prohibited. Please be courteous and orderly at all times, and please be sure all cell phone ringers are turned off. Is there anyone in the audience who has any questions about our procedures? Okay. Before we hear special requests, I will ask for a waiver of our rules of procedure to allow the board to vote for all expedited petitions and adopt their findings of fact without any additional testimony from the individual petitioners. Can I get a motion for that? Duncan, so moved. And is there a second? Brandon, second. All right, motion and a second. I will call for a vote. Duncan. Duncan, yes. Rodriguez Hilt.

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