Metropolitan & Economic Development Committee Meeting - August 18, 2025

The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council met on August 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room. The committee considered two appointments, tabled a code amendment proposal, approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for an affordable housing project, and conducted budget hearings for the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD), the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS), and the Marion County Surveyor’s Office.

Consent Calendar

• Proposal No. 237, 2025 – Appointed Brad Klopfenstein to the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Lawrence Township Comprehensive Plan. Approved unanimously.
• Proposal No. 238, 2025 – Appointed Lori Miser to the City Market Corporation Board of Directors. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carolyn Watts (resident, co-chair of near Northwest communities) expressed full support for Proposal 184 (Canal Village III PILOT), stating that the developer, BWI, has made efforts to upgrade Canal Village I homes and that affordable housing is critical for the community.
• Candia Scott Moore (co-chair of AMWA TIF for 15 years) supported the project, noting that the remonstrators were not involved in earlier community efforts and that BWI’s only fault was lack of communication during COVID.
• Lori Perdue (stakeholder in Northwest Landing, co-director of Community Canopy Alliance) opposed the project, presenting documents showing tree canopy loss from Canal Village I and arguing that the committee must secure neighborhood character.
• Ray Schnapp (co-director of Community Canopy Alliance) presented data identifying 13 heritage trees on the proposed parcels, calculating annual benefits of $120 per tree in stormwater, CO2 capture, and particulate reduction, totaling up to $33,000 over each tree’s lifetime.
• Hadia Emitting Latroy Carter (representing Northwest Landing neighborhood) voiced concerns from Canal Village I residents about delayed repairs (e.g., roof leaks, landscaping), and asked that repairs continue before approving Canal Village III.
• Alita Kemp (Northwest Landing resident) questioned why the project was being reconsidered, stating that repairs only occur when BWI is under scrutiny and that residents do not trust the developer to maintain quality.
• A speaker (unidentified) emphasized the need for affordable housing, noting the presence of 40–50 homeless individuals around the building.

Discussion Items

• Proposal No. 239, 2025 – Amends various code sections for fee, penalty, and policy changes in the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. The committee tabled this item; it will be discussed at a later date.
• Proposal No. 184, 2025 – Approves a PILOT for Canal Village III, LP, a 33-unit affordable housing project (all units for residents at or below 60% Area Median Income) financed with low-income housing tax credits. The developer, BWI, provided updates on Canal Village I repairs: all repairs completed last summer, tree preservation commitment, and MOU upgrades (fences, sponsorships) ahead of schedule. Council President Vop Osili (District 12) voiced support for the project, citing commitments and need for affordable housing. DMD clarified enforcement mechanisms: city can inspect during construction and 15-year affordability period, can take back city-owned lots if developer fails, and can revoke the PILOT or assess penalties for non-compliance.
• Budget Hearing – Marion County Surveyor’s Office – Deborah Jenkins presented a $1,164,611 budget (increase of $65,508 from 2025, absorbed by the Perpetuation Fund). Key points: 10 full-time employees (1 vacancy), 15th consecutive year exceeding state mandated 5% corner perpetuation (goal 9% in 2025), H.E.L.P program for staff education, community outreach efforts, and need for a $80,000 GPS station. Obstacles include a vehicle fire and safety incidents.
• Budget Hearing – Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) and City Market – Director Megan Vukusich and CFO Lucas Anderson presented a $90,310,240 budget (6.3% decrease from 2025, driven by phase-out of one-time ARPA funds). Highlights: 92 FTE (21 vacancies), 683 affordable rental units and 186 homeownership units in pipeline, 97% of permanent housing program participants stay housed long-term, 1,900 new jobs and 4,200 retained jobs incentivized, new Engagement Division and Economic Incentives Compliance team. DMD is requesting $325,000 in opioid funds to expand master leasing from 30 to 50 units. City Market: RFQ issued for Whistler Plaza improvements; former operating subsidy of $507,000 removed.
• Budget Hearing – Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) – Director Abby Brands and CFO Jacob Miller presented a $21,919,629 budget (2.5% decrease). Key points: 210 staff (18 vacancies), average 13-day turnaround for development permits, 24 tons of litter collected in neighborhood cleanups, 79 demolitions completed in 2024 (38 year-to-date), new continuous vacancy program targeting 150–200 structures vacant for 6+ years with three consecutive repair orders. A proposed fee/penalty update (first major change since 1988/2010) includes raising zoning violations from $50 to $325 (e.g., petition violation), creating accelerated inspection fees for commercial properties, and instituting a reinspection fee. Public comment noted limited docket space for violations in court.

Key Outcomes

• Proposal No. 237 – Approved unanimously.
• Proposal No. 238 – Approved unanimously.
• Proposal No. 239 – Tabled (moved and seconded).
• Proposal No. 184 – Approved unanimously. The PILOT agreement authorizes annual payments equal to 20% of property taxes that would otherwise be due, deposited into the Housing Trust Fund. BWI must complete CV1 MOU upgrades (fences, repairs) before property transfer.
• Budget Hearings – Heard and taken under advisement; no votes were taken.
• Next Steps – Proposal No. 239 will be revisited at a future committee meeting. The BNS board will vote on fees under its jurisdiction on August 26, 2025, with council codification to follow.