Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - May 18, 2022
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - May 18, 2022
The Metropolitan Development Commission met on May 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, multiple resolutions, continuances, public hearings, and a presentation on the new IU Health downtown hospital project. All votes were unanimous 8-0 unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: The minutes from May 4, 2022, were approved unanimously.
- Resolutions as a group: The commission approved the following resolutions by an 8-0 vote: 2022 E020 (amendment with Story Board LLC, additional $20,000), 2022 A018 (preliminary tax abatement for 863 Massachusetts Avenue), 2022 C004 ($50,000 grant to Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association for project with Indiana Historical Society – corrected from Indianapolis Historical Society), 2022 C005 (extension of agreement with Indiana Landmarks for roof stabilization), 2022 P007 ($275,000 groundwater protection fund budget), 2022 P008 (assessment of $275,000 for groundwater protection), 2022 P009 (interlocal agreement with City of Southport for zoning services), and 2022 R021 (acquisition of 603 North LaSalle Street).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Petition 2021 ZON 149 (6729 Westfield Blvd): Attorney Misha Rabinowich requested a continuance to June 15 for additional time to respond to staff comments and neighbor concerns. Attorney Mary Soliday, representing a coalition of neighbors and state representatives, requested a later date (July 6) due to scheduling conflicts. The commission voted 8-0 to continue to June 15, 2022.
- Petition 2021 ZON 125: Attorney Joe Calderan requested a continuance for a companion variance case. After discussion about quorum issues on July 6, the commission voted 8-0 to continue to July 6, 2022.
- Petition 2022 ZON 016 (859 West 96th St): Staff requested a continuance to June 15 to finalize the development statement. The petitioner’s attorney agreed, and the commission voted 8-0 to continue to June 15, 2022.
- Petition 2022 ZON 024 (South Ritter Ave and Troy Ave): An automatic continuance to June 15 was acknowledged due to a neighborhood association request.
Discussion Items
- IU Health New Downtown Hospital Presentation: IU Health representatives presented an update on the new hospital project at the King Cole site (44-acre medical campus, previously rezoned in 2020). The presentation covered the hospital’s design principles, location (south of 16th Street, west of Capitol Avenue), key features (limestone and glass facade, three patient bed towers including an ICU tower with helipads, elevated bridge connections, underground parking, emergency department access off 14th Street, and a central plaza). Questions from commissioners addressed the fate of historic buildings north of 16th Street (under review, with some planned reuse), the relocation of labor and delivery to Riley Hospital, the Federation of Black Women’s Clubs building (being acquired via a grant), and stormwater management (ecological park for collection and filtering). The project is expected to be the largest construction project in Indianapolis history.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2022 P006 (rules of procedure amendments) was continued to June 1, 2022, by an 8-0 vote.
- Resolution 2022 A017 (amendment to tax abatement for 465 East Partners LLC due to job retention/wage failures) was approved 8-0 after staff explained the abatement will be reduced by 10 percentage points each deduction year and further reduced based on job creation shortfalls.
- Resolutions for continuances (2022 E021 and E022, King Cole allocation and TIF bond) were acknowledged for continuation to June 1 to preserve advertising, but not voted on as they were not on the agenda.
- No Appeals Docket: 12 petitions were approved 8-0, including 2022 REG 020 for the IU Health regional center.
- The commission adjourned with next meetings scheduled for June 1 and June 15, 2022.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting of May 18th, 2022. We have a quorum in place. It is now one o'clock. I would like Kevin Corey Flood from the Black Firefighter Association to come forward. Kevin is going to lead us today in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Kevin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Kevin. Please relay our gratitude to the IFD first responders. Moving forward, I have a couple of announcements. First and foremost, in a bittersweet moments, Thomas Moore. Has really done a great job for the commission. He's moving on to greener pastures at the federal level. And Thomas, we thank you for everything you've you've done. Um who's got big shoes to fill, but uh in our initial discussions is certainly impressive, and we're looking forward to working with you, Katie. So thank you for being here. Um for the record. Mike was a lawyer at Clark Quinn Moses and Clark. He's really an unsung hero in the area of land use, structure of Indianapolis law, structure of the rules of this committee. Was probably the foremost authority in the city of Indianapolis on zoning and variances. Uh and he'll be greatly missed. So I'll ask for a moment of silence from Mike Quinn. Thank you very much. Moving forward, members of the commission. You've had provided to you previously last week the minutes of May 4th, 2022. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Seeing none, Commissioner Schumacher, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Commissioner, can I get a second? Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed. They pass. Madam Secretary, let's read into the record the resolutions for today's meeting, please. Thank you, President Dillon. Resolution number 2022 R021 authorizes D to pursue acquisition of 603 North LaSalle Street to best serve the interest of the City of Indianapolis. Resolution number 2022 E020 authorizes the director to enter an amendment to the agreement with Story Board LLC for the provision of additional services related to planning, engagement, and visual communication in an additional amount not to exceed $20,000. Resolution number 2022A 017 for our public hearing authorizes an amendment to the terms of a tax abatement with 465 East Partners LLC due to failure to meet job retention and wage requirements. Resolution number 2022 A018 authorizes a preliminary economic revitalization area for 863 landmark LLC located at 863 Massachusetts Avenue Council District 17 Center Township. Recommends approval of 10 years real property tax abatement. Resolution number 2022 C 004 authorizes DMD to grant 50,000 to the Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association for our project with the Indianapolis Historical Society. Resolution number 2022 C 005 authorizes the IHPC to extend its agreement with Indiana Landmarks by one year to allow for the continuation of a rook roof stabilization program. Resolution number 2022 P006 for public hearing 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. Resolution number 2022 P007 establishes and approves a budget of 275,000 dollars for the groundwater protection fund and authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to administer the fund for the purposes of developing and operating education and voluntary business registration programs through the Marion County Well Filled Education Corporation MCWEC and administering the well-filled protection secondary zoning districts. Resolution number 2022 P008 authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to assess the public water supply systems of Marion County 275,000 for the purpose of funding the groundwater protection fund for 2022. Resolution number 2022 P009 authorizes the director to enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement with the city of Southport relating to zoning services to be provided as a result of recent changes to the Indiana Code relating to zoning procedures in Marion County. This ends the reading of the resolution.
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