Indianapolis BZA Division III Meeting - July 21, 2026
Indianapolis Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division III Public Hearing - July 21, 2026
The Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Division III held a public hearing on July 21, 2026, chaired by Joanna Taft, with members Rod Bohannan, Brianna Bender, Brian Hannon, and Percy Bland. Legal counsel was Chris Steinmetz. The meeting covered continuances, expedited petitions, and full docket items, including variances for commercial use, fence height, and sidewalk requirements. Key outcomes included approvals, denials, and continuances.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Multiple petitioners and attorneys presented cases, including John Cross (representing Mark and Amanda Daniel), Adam Hoffer (representing I'm in Preet Singh), and David Gilman (representing CKJ Property LLC). No public remonstrators spoke, though staff noted letters of opposition from neighbors Rex and Laura Hancock for case 2026 SE3002.
- Attorney David Gilman argued that requiring a sidewalk along U.S. 31 would be impractical due to NDOT jurisdiction, existing drainage issues, and the corridor's lack of pedestrian infrastructure. He offered a written commitment to coordinate with NDOT's future sidewalk project.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved minutes from June 16, 2026.
- Waiver of Rules: Unanimously approved to allow expedited petitions to be voted on without individual testimony.
- Continuances:
- Case 2026 DV3011 (43603 South Meridian Street) continued to August 4, 2026, per attorney John Cross's request for more data and community meetings.
- Case 2026 DV3014 (Carson Avenue) continued to August 18, 2026, due to petitioner's childcare and work conflicts.
- Case 2026 DV3016A amended automatically continued to August 18, 2026.
- Case 2026 UV3007 continued to August 18, 2026, for community and AES easement discussions.
- Case 2026 UV3011 continued to August 18, 2026, for further discussions.
- Expedited Docket: Six petitions (2026 DV3009, DV3025, DV3026, UV3012, DV3021) approved unanimously by roll call vote (5-0).
- Full Docket Case 2026 SE3002 (6309 South Harding Street): Petitioner Adam Hoffer sought variances for commercial contractor use, setbacks, parking, and outdoor storage. Staff recommended denial citing lack of site-specific practical difficulty, neighbor opposition, and multiple violations. Approved: 2 yes (Hannon, Bland), 3 no (Bohannan, Bender, Taft) – denied.
- Full Docket Case 2026 DV3015 (4305 Dudley North Drive): Petitioner Mark Daniel sought a variance for a 6-foot fence in the front yard (corner lot) to contain a Cane Corso dog. Staff recommended denial but petitioner offered a 5-year sunset commitment. Voted: 5-0 approved with commitment.
- Full Docket Case 2026 DV3019 (6838 South East Street): Petitioner David Gilman sought variances for setbacks, parking spaces, and sidewalk exemption. Staff supported all except sidewalk variance. Board split the vote: Part A (sidewalk exemption) approved 5-0; Part B (other variances) approved 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- Continuances granted: 2026 DV3011 to August 4, 2026; 2026 DV3014, DV3016A, UV3007, UV3011 to August 18, 2026.
- Expedited petitions approved: 2026 DV3009, DV3025, DV3026, UV3012, DV3021 (unanimous).
- Denied: 2026 SE3002 (3-2 vote).
- Approved with conditions: 2026 DV3015 (unanimous with 5-year sunset commitment); 2026 DV3019 split approval (both parts unanimous).
- Findings for signature were presented for approval.
Meeting Transcript
I'm going to call this meeting to order. This is a public hearing of the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, Division III. I'm Joanna Taft, Chairperson of Division III. The other board members present to my left are Rod Bohannan and Brianna Bender. And then to my right, um Brian Hannon, and coming soon will be Percy Bland. Legal counsel for the board today is Chris Steinmetz. Staff members present today from the Division of Planning are Jeff York, current planning manager, Noah Pappas, current planning manager, Michael Weigel, Principal Planner 1, Adrian Baker, Principal Planner 1, Robert Eulenh, Senior Planner, Josh Levesque, Senior Planner, Kaylee Eisenhart, Office Assistant and Acting Board Secretary. The board is copies of the zoning ordinances that will 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 10 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. The petitioner will then be allowed five minutes for rebuttal and a summation of the case. Rebuttal must be limited to the subject matter, 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's 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 signed on the subject property at least 23 days prior to the hearing. Excuse me. 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 screening, the paving and parking area, and the dedication of rights away 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 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. 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 a 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. Board members, you've been provided meeting minutes for our June 16th 2026 meeting. If there are no deletions or additions, I'll take a motion for their approval. Bohan move. I'll second by plenty of second. I'll now pull the board. Bohanan. Bohannon, yes. Bender. Yes. Hannon. Yes. Bland. Yes.
openpublica.com