Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - May 4, 2022
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - May 4, 2022
The Metropolitan Development Commission of Marion County, Indiana, met on May 4, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The meeting featured approvals of routine resolutions, continuances, and several public hearings, including a controversial rezoning for a women's recovery home, a parking lot variance in Broad Ripple, a major redevelopment project at the former GM stamping plant, and a multifamily development at McFarland Boulevard. The meeting was moved quickly with a stacked agenda.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from the April 20, 2022, meeting were approved by voice vote.
- Resolution Group Approval: Three resolutions (2022 E019, 2022 A007, and 2022 C003) were approved 8-0. Note: The secretary's earlier reading included 2022 A016 instead of 2022 A007, creating a discrepancy.
- Continuances:
- Resolution 2022 P006 (rules of procedure) continued to May 18, 2022.
- 2022 ZON028 (4020 East 21st Street) continued to June 1, 2022.
- 2022 MOD002 (1533 Lewis Street) and 2022 ZON007 (Barth Avenue) continued to May 18, 2022, pending commitments.
- 2022 ZON029 (27 East 86th Street) automatically continued to June 1, 2022.
Public Comments & Testimony
Public comments were embedded within the public hearings listed below.
Discussion Items
- 2022 A016 – Aero Container LLC Tax Abatement: Public hearing for a seven-year personal property tax abatement at 6550 East 30th Street. Staff recommended approval. Motion passed 8-0.
- Appeals and Improper Filings: Two cases were moved to the petitions of no appeals docket after the Commission found that the filer (Clark Collow) lacked standing. The cases were 2022 ZON017/2022 VAR002 (West 86th Street) and 2022 CZN810/2022 CVR810 (Washington Park Cemetery). Both were subsequently approved.
- 2022 ZON012 – Overdose Lifeline Women's Recovery Home: Rezoning of 4903 and 4907 Winthrop Avenue from CS to CS (same district) to allow a women's recovery residence for up to 20 residents and their young children. Petitioner argued the use is less intense than the current hostel zoning. Remonstrators raised concerns about parking, traffic safety, and the facility's intensity. Staff supported approval. The Commission approved 7-1.
- 2022 UV2005 – AudioCuck Parking Lot Variance: Variance of use and development standards to create a 15-space surface parking lot at 6360 Guilford Avenue in Broad Ripple. The lot would serve employees of AudioCuck, a podcast media company. The petition faced opposition from staff and a neighboring business owner (Tom Healy) who cited conflicts with the Envision Broad Ripple plan and the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) overlay. Staff recommended denial. The Board of Zoning Appeals had previously approved it 4-1. Under MDC rules, a two-thirds vote (5 votes) was needed to defeat the approval. The motion to approve passed 5-2.
- 2022 CZN824/2022 CPL824 – GM Stamping Plant Redevelopment: Rezoning and plat approval for 93.23 acres along the White River for a mixed-use development including a new bridge. The Commission expressed strong support, noting it would be the first new bridge built in Indianapolis in 50 years. Approved unanimously 7-0.
- 2021 ZON146 – Homestead Development at McFarland Boulevard: Rezoning of 13.614 acres from SU1 to DP for a senior independent living facility and 172-unit multifamily housing. Remonstrators from McFarland Farms cited drainage issues, traffic, lack of green space, and school impacts. Staff recommended approval. The motion to approve failed, with all commissioners voting no.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes, resolutions 2022 E019, 2022 A007 (discrepancy noted), 2022 C003, 2022 A016.
- Continued: 2022 P006, 2022 ZON028, 2022 MOD002, 2022 ZON007, 2022 ZON029.
- Moved to No Appeals Docket: 2022 ZON017/2022 VAR002 and 2022 CZN810/2022 CVR810; subsequently approved.
- Approved: 2022 ZON012 (7-1), 2022 UV2005 (5-2, upholding BZA approval), 2022 CZN824 and 2022 CPL824 (both 7-0).
- Denied: 2021 ZON146 (motion failed unanimously).
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Okay. Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. May I have your attention? We have a stacked agenda. We'll be moving fairly uh quickly, so I asked everybody to be ready. Please be organized. Have your comments prepared. One announcement as we start. Twenty twenty-two Z O N O one two, which is forty-nine oh three forty-nine oh seven. Winthrop I moving to the top of the agenda will be our first hearing. So we will address that immediately. Um as I call the meeting to order. I'd ask everybody to rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, please. Thank you very much. Members of the Commission, you received last Thursday the minutes from the April twentieth, twenty twenty-two meeting. You've had an opportunity to review those. Seeing none, Commissioner Garber, can I have a motion to approve? So moved. Commissioner Schumacher, can I get a second? Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Seeing none. The minutes have been passed. Moving forward. Madam Secretary, can you read the resolutions into the minutes, please? Yes, thank you, President Dillon. Resolution number 2022 E019 authorizes DMD to acquire and prepare real estate right away necessary to support redevelopment in the area near four oh two Kentucky Avenue. And for such costs to be paid from the redevelopment project funds. Recommends approval of 10 years real property tax abatement. Resolution number 2022 A016 for public hearing authorizes a final economic revitalization area for Aero Container LLC located at 6550 East 30th Street Council District 13 Warren Township recommends approval of seven years personal property tax abatement. Resolution number 2022 C003 authorizes the director to enter into a grant agreement with Southeast Neighborhood Development Incorporated for the development of a permanent supportive housing facility utilizing 400,000 dollars from the Housing Trust Fund previously approved in resolution number 2021 C 003 Resolution number 2022 P006 amends the rules of procedure of the Metropolitan Development Commission hearing officer and plat committee of Marion County Indiana provides for amendments required by state law and various other amendments related to functions of the commission. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Madam Secretary. I understand we have a early continuance request on 2022 P006. Correct. Mr. President, members of Commission, staff with request that we continue 2022 P006 resolution for rules procedure to be heard or to be uh considered on your May 18th hearing. Thank you, Mr. Pleasant. Ms. Members of the Commission, that is the reason uh we continue to review those, and we're looking back for uh comments from you all. So uh Commissioner Schumacher, I'll take a motion to move that to the May 18th without notice. May 18th without notice. So moved. Thank you.
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