Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - July 20, 2022
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - July 20, 2022
The Metropolitan Development Commission met on July 20, 2022, to consider resolutions, zoning petitions, and a major public hearing for a new recreation center. The meeting opened with recognition of Commissioner Alpha Blackburn as a "living legend" and a farewell to long-time staff member Lena Hackett, who is resigning. The commission approved two resolutions, handled several continuances, denied a request for a waiver of appeal rules, and unanimously approved a slate of no-appeal petitions. The highlight was a public hearing for the Frederick Douglass Family Community Center, which was approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from the July 6, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously. Commissioner Robinson recused herself.
- Resolution 2022 R025: Authorized the transfer of property at 3949 Metals Drive for a business expansion. Passed 8-0.
- Resolution 2022 BB 002: Authorized the expenditure of up to $40,000 from allocation funds to reimburse the bond bank for prior expenditures. Passed 8-0.
- No-Appeal Petitions: After voting separately on 2022 ZON 037 (1212 Castillana Drive), the commission approved the remaining 12 petitions recommended for approval by the hearing examiner as a block. All passed 8-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Luke Burrow (representing LP2LC) requested a waiver of rules to appeal a variance denial for 1105 and 1107 English Avenue, citing a missed deadline. Commission denied the request 7-1.
- Caitlin Levesque (attorney for BRHQ Real Estate) requested a continuance for petitions related to 6548-6556 Cornell Avenue and 6535 Ferguson Street to August 3, 2022. No objections; granted.
- Tim Oaks (attorney for M Development Company) requested a continuance for 2022 ZON 037 (1212 Castillana Drive) due to a late appeal from Senator Taylor's office. The commission ruled the appeal out of order and proceeded to vote on the petition, which was approved 8-0.
- During the public hearing for the Frederick Douglass Park recreation center, two community members spoke in support:
- Jacqueline McMillan Gunn (resident of Martindale Brightwood) expressed support for the project.
- Burning Compton (president of Brightwood Conserved Citizens) expressed support on behalf of the community.
Discussion Items
- Special Request – Waiver of Rules: Luke Burrow requested a waiver of the five-business-day appeal period for a variance denial. Staff recommended denial, noting the deadline was announced and he was reminded. The commission denied the request 7-1.
- Continuances: The commission approved continuances for several petitions to the August 3, 2022 meeting:
- 2022 CZN 821, C VR 821, CVC 821, CPL 821 (Broad Ripple area) – granted.
- 2022 ZON 030 (East 38th Street and Carroll Road) – continued due to pending commitments.
- 2022 CZN 830 and CAP 830 (7320 East Hannah Avenue) – continued for commitment review.
- 2022 ZON 037 (1212 Castillana Drive): Despite a late appeal filed by Greg Taylor representing Senator Vanessa Summers, the commission ruled the appeal out of order and proceeded to approve the zoning petition individually 8-0. The petitioner expressed willingness to meet with opponents.
- Public Hearing – Frederick Douglass Family Community Center:
- Petitioner: Indy Parks and Recreation (Phyllis Boyd, Director; Don Colvin, Deputy Director) presented plans for a 45,000-square-foot recreation center at 1616 East 25th Street, funded by Circle City Forward bonds. The project includes a parking lot, playground, picnic shelter, sidewalks, and landscaping. A variance was requested to allow sidewalks only adjacent to the building along 25th Street and Ralston Avenue, with additional sidewalks to be extended to 27th Street per staff recommendation. Commitments included $20,000 for XBE engagement, a playground fence, and security measures.
- Staff: Supported both the rezoning and variance, noting the project is well-designed.
- Sarah Reardon (Director of the Indianapolis Local Public Bond Bank) confirmed that $110 million in bonds were issued for Circle City Forward projects, with this project moving fastest. The bond repayment is secured by an unlimited pledge of local income tax through a lease financing structure.
- Commissioners: Expressed strong support, commending the inclusive design and community engagement.
Key Outcomes
- Waiver of Rules Denied: Luke Burrow's request to waive appeal rules was denied 7-1.
- Continuances Granted: All requested continuances to August 3, 2022 were approved 8-0.
- 2022 ZON 037 Approved: The zoning petition for 1212 Castillana Drive was approved 8-0, with the late appeal not recognized.
- No-Appeal Petitions Approved: 12 petitions were approved as a block 8-0.
- Frederick Douglass Park Recreation Center Approved: Both the park district designation (2022 CAP 831) and the variance of development standards (2022 C VR 831) were approved 8-0. Construction is targeted for completion by September 2023.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Commissioner Hackett, who was recognized for her 10 years of service.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the July 20th 2022 Metropolitan Development Commission meeting. With uh everybody rise, please and help me recite the Pledge of Allegiance. For which it stands. Our nation. Thank you very much. Two special announcements as we start to move forward. First of all, the Indiana Historical Society has identified Commission member Alpha Blackburn as a living legend, and they will celebrate her this uh Thursda next Thursday night. And I would like everybody to congratulate her. That's really cool. Secondly, 10-year veteran. Hard working. Lena Lena Hackett is going to be working full time to expand her community solutions operation, which is going to include tremendous amount of travel. And she has decided on a bittersweet note that she is going to resign, and this will be her last commission meeting. Lena, you've been great. You've kept me in check, and uh you always have a very strong uh lookout for the city of Indianapolis. We thank you for your 10-year service, and we wish you the best. And uh I can't imagine community solutions not just expanding and continuing to go great. So good luck to you, ladies and gentlemen. All right, members of the commission, you have before you and and received uh last Thursday the minutes from the July 6, 2022 uh meeting. Commissioner Robinson, you were not here, so you'll recuse yourself from the minutes. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. May I have a motion to approve? So moved, friends. May I have a second? Second. Thank you. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Moving forward. Madam Secretary, can you read into the minutes the two resolutions that are before us today? Yes, thank you, President Dillon. Resolution number 2022 R025 authorizes DMD to transfer the property at 3949 Metals Drive for a business expansion in conjunction with an agreement between DMD and the business owner. Resolution number 2022 BB 002 authorizes the expenditure of unobligated funds on deposit in the respective allocation funds and the total estimated amount of 39,006 and 42 cents, but not to exceed 40,000 dollars to reimburse the bomb bank for prior expenditures incurred by the bomb bank, acting for and on behalf of the city for certain costs and expenses described in exhibit A, collectively the prior projects that are related to local public improvements, which are physically located in or physically connected to the respective allocation areas pursuant to Section 26B3G of the Redevelopment Act. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Nancy. Before us, members of the commission, we have two resolutions that do not stand for public hearing. So moved. Commissioner Schumacher, can I have a second? Second. Let me call the roll. Blackburn. Blackburn, yes. Bronze. Bruns, yes. Haggett. Hackett, yes. Robinson.
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