Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division II Meeting - September 8, 2026
Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division II Meeting - September 8, 2026
The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division II convened on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building, Indianapolis. The three-member board (Chair Craig Von Dalen, Tom Barnes, James Duke) heard requests for continuances, withdrawals, and two expedited variance petitions. All items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Adoption of meeting minutes from May 19, July 14, and August 11, 2026, were approved unanimously (3-0).
Special Requests / Continuances & Withdrawals
- 2026-UV2-012 (1701 East New York Street): Petitioner requested a one-month continuance to October 13, 2026, to allow time to meet with the Willard Park Neighborhood Association. No opposition; staff had no objection. Granted without additional notice.
- 2026-DV2-027 (7009 West Thompson Road): Staff requested a continuance to October 13, 2026, due to deficient notice. Granted with additional notice.
- 2026-DV1-025 (7279 North Keystone Avenue): Petitioner requested withdrawal of the petition. The board acknowledged the withdrawal.
- 2026-UV2-011 (8450 Georgetown Road): An automatic continuance to October 13, 2026, was requested by a registered neighborhood organization. The board acknowledged the continuance.
Expedited Petitions (Variance of Development Standards)
- 2026-DV2-022 (Amended) – 200 and 206 North Rural Avenue: Englewood Community Development Corporation requested variances to construct a medium apartment building, including reduced minimum lot area (9,422 sq ft vs. 12,000 sq ft required), reduced lot width (75 ft vs. 100 ft), reduced off‑street parking (5 spaces vs. 19 required), reduced livability space ratio (0.34 vs. 0.75), and increased floor area ratio (1.20 vs. 0.50 maximum). No public opposition was expressed. The board voted unanimously (3-0) to grant the variances and adopted findings of fact.
- 2026-DV2-025 – 6160 Evanston Avenue: James and Tanya Lott requested variances to legally establish a detached accessory structure with reduced side and rear setbacks (4 ft where 5 ft required for each). No public opposition was expressed. The board voted unanimously (3-0) to grant the variances and adopted findings of fact.
Key Outcomes
- All four special requests (two continuances, one withdrawal, one automatic continuance) were granted or acknowledged.
- Both expedited variance petitions were approved unanimously by the board.
- The meeting adjourned after the expedited docket was concluded.
Meeting Transcript
Called order. This is a public hearing at the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, Division 2. I am Craig Von Dalen, Chairperson of Division 2. The other board members present are Tom Barnes and James Duke. Little counselor for the board today is Chris Steinmetz. Staff members present today from the Division of Planning are Jeff York, current planning manager. Noah Papis, current planning manager, Adrienne Baker, Principal Planner 1. Robert Ewan Hake, Senior Planner, Josh Lebeck, Senior Planner, Jasmine Dillard Nicolich, and Marty Weistie, Senior Board Specialist and Secretary to the Board. The board has copies of the zoning ordinance that will be incorporated by reference into the records 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 names 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 administrators' comments regarding the petition. Petitioner will then be allowed 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 petitioners, 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 the 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 the subject property at least 23 days prior to the hearing, the board may continue the petition. Anyone at this hearing who thinks complete and proper notice has not been given and would like the petition continued due to lack of 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 a parking area, and the dedications of right-of-ways are examples. These conditions and commitments are an integral part of the board's decision and must be met for the granted variance to be valid. Compliance with the conditions imposed by the board must be approved 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. 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. There are three members present today. It requires three votes to take action on any request. We will take this into consideration when hearing requests for continuances. If your petition receives an indecisive vote, your petition will automatically be continued to the October 13th, 2026 hearing. Board members, you've been provided meeting minutes for May 19th, July 14th, and August 11th, 2026 meetings. If there are no deletions or additions, I will take a motion for their approval. Do I hear a motion? Duke, so move. And a second. Barnes second. Call the Royal Duke. Duke, yes. Barnes. Yes.
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