Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - June 1, 2022
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - June 1, 2022
The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) held a public meeting on June 1, 2022, at approximately 6:00 PM. The commission considered several resolutions, continuances, and a major rezoning petition for a mixed-use development near 86th Street and Keystone Avenue. All actions were approved, with the ZON029 rezoning passing 7-0 after public testimony.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from the May 18, 2022 meeting.
- Approved resolution 2022 A021 (final economic revitalization area for 863 Massachusetts Avenue, 10-year real property tax abatement) by a 7-0 vote after a public hearing with no opposition.
- Approved the remaining 12 resolutions (including agreements for planning, property conveyances, expenditure authorizations, and housing trust fund allocations) by a 7-0 vote.
- Approved the no-appeals docket of eight petitions (2022 APP006, MOD003, MOD005, ZON046, ZON053, REG016, REG024) by a 7-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On withdrawal/continuance requests: David Kingan (attorney, 618 East Market Street) requested withdrawals and waivers of the three-month refiling rule for petitions 2021 ZON113 and 2022 CZN804/CVR804. Staff supported the waivers with conditions that new petitions be substantially different. The commission granted the waivers (4-3 and 5-2 respectively). A continuance for 2022 ZON028 to July 6 with notice was approved 6-1.
- On the main rezoning (2022 ZON029):
- Supporters: Joe Calderon (petitioner, Keystone Group), Kelly Mulder (Keystone), Neil Sinclair (adjacent landowner, family 100% behind the project), and Brian Robinson (NORA Northside Community Council, representing unanimous board support). They emphasized comprehensive planning, preservation of approximately 5 acres of trees, underground parking, traffic improvements, and community amenities such as a public park and plaza.
- Remonstrators: Clark Collow (Indiana Forest Alliance), Anthony Furdock (Driftwood Hills resident), James Haney (Driftwood Hills resident and representative, 32 years in neighborhood), and Patrick Sweeney (Haverstick Road resident). Concerns included increased traffic through Driftwood Hills, prior clear-cutting of trees, building height (5-story hotel), excessive density, office/retail oversupply, impact on well water, security issues, and lack of meaningful negotiation with directly adjacent neighbors. James Haney requested a 60-day continuance for negotiations or outright denial.
Discussion Items
- Withdrawals and Continuances: The commission acknowledged withdrawals of 2021 ZON113 and 2022 CZN804/CVR804 and granted waivers of the three-month refiling rule. Two petitions (2022 ZON050 and ZON055) were continued to June 15, 2022, pending receipt of executed commitments. Two automatic continuances (2022 ZON034 and ZON044) were acknowledged.
- Main Petition – 2022 ZON029 (2730 East 86th Street, 8755 Haverstick Road, 2925 Sinclairwood Drive): Petitioner sought rezoning of 16.2 acres from DP and DA to DP for a mixed-use development. Proposed elements: 35 townhomes (3-story, expected sale price high $400s), a hotel (max 5 stories, 150 keys, no flag yet), an office building (3 stories, max 60,000 sq ft), two restaurant/retail buildings, and a mixed-use building with 42,000 sq ft of retail and apartments (5 stories, estimated $82.5 million investment). Underground parking (500 spaces) and preservation of trees (approximately 5 acres) were key features. Staff recommended approval, noting consistency with the updated comprehensive plan (village mixed-use and traditional neighborhood designations) and improved pedestrian connectivity. Commissioner Dillon questioned total project cost (estimated over $80 million). The remonstrators argued the project was incompatible with the environmentally sensitive designation, too dense, and would exacerbate traffic.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2022 P006 (rules of procedure amendments) was withdrawn by staff and acknowledged.
- Waiver of three-month refiling rule granted for 2021 ZON113 (4-3) and for 2022 CZN804/CVR804 (5-2).
- 2022 ZON028 continued to July 6, 2022, with notice (6-1).
- 2022 ZON050 and 2022 ZON055 continued to June 15, 2022 (both 7-0).
- 2022 ZON029 (rezoning) approved 7-0 with commitments including sidewalk installation along 86th Street, traffic improvements (right-turn lanes, dedicated left-turn lane), tree preservation plans, and collaboration with neighbors on infrastructure grants.
- All other consent and no-appeal items approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the June 1st, 2022 Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting. Would everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? To members of the Commission previously supplied to in your packet last Thursday were the minutes from the May 18th, 2022 meeting. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none, I'll accept the motion to approve. So moved. Thank you. Give a second second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Thank you. Moving forward. We have several resolutions on our agenda today. Replacing Nancy, who is very sick today is Heather. Heather, welcome to Metropolitan Development Commission. Before we start, I would like everyone to go to resolution number 2022 A021. It was shown in the original agenda as not for public hearing. It is for public hearing today and had did come out with notice. So we will have a public hearing on that matter. Heather, would you go ahead and read into the record the other resolutions, please? Resolution 2022 R018 authorizes DMD to enter into an agreement for services to support planning process for the area near 3500 block of East Washington. Resolution 2022 R020 authorizes DMD to convey title or an option to purchase 14 properties to Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation for the prices listed and on exhibit A of the resolution in consideration of certain commitments to be made by Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation for the purpose of providing affordable housing in the neighborhood. Resolution 22 R022 authorizes the director to enter into an agreement. Amendment to the agreement with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail Incorporated regarding place placemaking services to include additional services for the additional amount of $75,000. 2022 R023 authorizes DMD to convey title or an option to purchase five properties to renew Indianapolis Incorporated for the sale prices listed on exhibit A of the resolution and consideration of certain commitments to be made by Renew for the purpose of providing neighborhood development. Resolution 2022 E23 authorizes the director to enter into an agreement with Flanner House of Indianapolis Incorporated to cover costs of the services of a build back better project manager and costs for pre-development of the carrier Bryant site in an in an amount not to exceed 198,250. 2022 E24 authorizes the director to enter into an agreement with 16 tech to cover costs of services of a 16 tech intermediary position in an amount not to exceed 96,750. 2022 E27 authorizes the expenditure of 274,905 dollars in funds from the Airport TIFF area fund and authorizes the director to enter into an agreement with Yard and Company for the development of an Ameriplex Parkway Extension Corridor Plan. 2022 E28 determines the amount of incremental assessed value in each allocation area necessary to make principal and interest payments on bonds described in section 26 of the redevelopment act. 2022 A21 for public hearing approves a final economic revitalization area for 863 landmark LLC located at 863 Massachusetts Avenue Council District 17 Center Township recommends approval for up to 10 years real property tax abatement. 2022 C006 authorizes Department of Metropolitan Development to enter into an agreement with partners in housing to provide supportive services to tenants living in permanent supportive housing in an amount not to exceed 165,000 dollars from the Indianapolis Housing Trust Fund. 2022 C007 authorizes Department of Metropolitan Development to enter into an agreement with BWI LLC for the purchase and installation of security equipment at Penn Place Apartments. A permanent supportive housing development in an amount not to exceed 85,000 dollars from the Indianapolis Housing Trust Fund. 2022 P006 for public hearing amends the rules of procedure of the Metropolitan Development Commission, hearing officer and plaque committee of Marion County, Indiana. Provides for amendments required by state law and various other amendments related to functions of the commission. 2022 P010 authorizes DMD to enter into an agreement with the Marion County Well-Filled Education Corporation to provide for services to conduct general well-field education and to register and provide targeted education for businesses that pose a potential risk to groundwater for a period of three years, depending December 31, 2024 for an amount not to exceed 110,000 per year. Authorizes director to amend the current contract with trajectory LLC for grant writing services to add $6,0875 with a new DMD not to exceed amount of $16,625. Thank you, Heather. Let me brought draw your attention to resolution number 2022 P006. Mr. Pleasant, you have some comments on that, please. I do. Members of the Commission staff would like to uh withdraw resolution 2022 P006. Which would require your acknowledgement. So acknowledged 2022 P 006 has formally been withdrawn. We now have in front of us resolution number 2022 A021, which approves a final economic revitalization area for 863 landmark LLC located at 863 Massachusetts Avenue, Council District No. 17, Center Township. Recommends approval of up to 10 years of real property tax abatement.
openpublica.com