Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - October 19, 2022

The Metropolitan Development Commission held a public meeting on October 19, 2022, to consider resolutions, continuances, no-appeal petitions, a contested rezoning and variance for a large industrial park on the south side, and a plat for the Elanco headquarters. All votes were unanimous except where recusals applied.

Resolutions (Consent Calendar)

• Five resolutions were approved unanimously (6-0 with one recusal on three, 7-0 on the remaining two):
  • 2022 R 037: Authorizing conveyance of two properties to Intend Indiana Inc. for neighborhood redevelopment.
  • 2022 R 038: Authorizing renovation of the Greyhound bus station restrooms at Union Station.
  • 2022 E 040: Authorizing $350,000 from the 96th Street Castleton Allocation Fund to reimburse the city for improvements at Keystone Avenue and Woodfield Crossing Boulevard.
  • 2022 A 024 & 2022 A 025: Preliminary economic revitalization areas for Raiz Bio Inc. (later corrected to Raised Bio Inc.) at 5850 West 88th Street and 5850 West 80th Street, recommending four-year real and personal property tax abatements. Commissioner Ash recused from these three. The presentation noted Raised Bio is developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals for pancreatic and lung cancer, investing $45 million in a 10-year lease with ProLogis.

Continuances and Special Requests

• 2022 ZON 083 (1751 South Laundale Avenue): Continued to December 21, 2022, with a "do or die" condition – approval 7-0.
• 2022 ZON 101 (1067 West 29th Street): Continued to November 2, 2022 – 7-0.
• 2022 ZON 107 (11517 East 38th Street): Continued to November 2, 2022 – 7-0.
• 2022 VAC 002 (Massachusetts Avenue properties): Continued to November 16, 2022, after petitioner Murray Clark reported ongoing negotiations with stakeholders and Councilor Adamson, with assurances of resolution – 7-0.
• 2022 UV 2021 (5822 & 5824 Nordcroft Drive): Waiver of the one-year refiling rule granted, allowing a rezoning petition previously denied on December 1, 2021, to be heard on November 15, 2022. The Decatur Township Civic Council and land use group now support – 7-0.

Petitions of No Appeals

• Approved (5 petitions):
  • 2022 MOD 014 (Mossy Creek Lane/Court, Franklin Twp)
  • 2022 ZON 074 amended (1305 West Troy Ave, Perry Twp)
  • 2022 CZN 812 amended (3544 & 3602 South Harding St, Perry Twp)
  • 2022 CZN 830 & 2022 CAP 830 (companion petitions, 7320 East Hannah Ave, Franklin Twp)
  • 2022 REG 061 (1840 North Meridian St, Center Twp) All approved 7-0.
• Denied (1 petition):
  • 2022 ZON 062 (6900 East 21st Street, Warren Twp): Recommended for denial by staff and hearing examiner for a truck parking facility adjacent to homes and institutions. Commission affirmed denial 7-0.

Contested Hearing: County Line Partners Rezoning and Variance

• Petitions: 2022 ZON 060 and 2022 VAR 006 – GPCM County Line Partners, LLC, sought rezoning of 208.24 acres from CSC4 and DA to CS (commercial/industrial) and a variance for loading areas. The site at County Line Road and I-65 would become an industrial park (seven buildings up to 500,000 sq ft each, plus 6 acres of commercial) with 21 commitments.
• Petitioner's Position (Brian Tuey): The project follows the strategic plan for the interchange area, provides substantial buffering (50-foot landscape buffer, 6-foot berm, evergreen trees, and a 6-foot concrete wall near residences), and will generate $131 million in assessed value and jobs. Staff and the hearing examiner recommended approval. Traffic improvements will maintain acceptable levels of service. The nearest residential neighbor (Robin Heldman) has a 564-foot setback with intensive screening.
• Remonstrator Position:
  • Robin Heldman (8824 Combs Road): Opposed the orientation of Building 7 (dock doors, trailer parking, dumpsters facing her property). Requested a reorientation of the building, an additional 100 feet of green space, and that her property not be used as a buffer. She noted other residents were under contract to sell, but she was not offered compensation. She also raised concerns about potential well damage and flooding.
  • Susie McGovern (Hoosier Environmental Council): Expressed concerns about loss of woodlands and wetlands (approximately 50 acres on site), noting Indiana has lost over 85% of its original wetlands. She urged protection of headwater wetlands near Pleasant Run Creek.
• Rebuttal: Petitioner clarified that Building 7 is 564 feet from Heldman's home, with a berm, double row of evergreens, and a masonry wall. They promised to repair any well damage. Staff noted commitments for wetland delineation and tree preservation.
• Decision: The commission approved both petitions 8-0 (Commissioner Ash recused). The chair urged the developer to pay attention to Heldman's concerns.

Plat Petition: 2022 PLT 069 – Elanco Replat

• Petitioner: Indiana Economic Redevelopment Corporation (Andy Metzel) sought approval of a replat of Lot 10B at the former GM Stamping Plant (430 S. White River Parkway West Drive) to divide 31.536 acres into four lots for Elanco Animal Health's global headquarters. The plat committee lacked a quorum, so it was transferred to this meeting.
• Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions. No remonstrators. The replat is for financing and phasing purposes.
• Decision: Approved 7-0 (Commissioner Ash recused).

Key Outcomes

• All five resolutions passed unanimously.
• All continuances and the waiver of refiling rule were granted unanimously.
• Five no-appeal petitions were approved; one was denied (truck parking facility).
• The County Line Partners rezoning and variance were approved 8-0, subject to 21 commitments including extensive buffering.
• The Elanco replat was approved 7-0.
• Meeting adjourned after the plat vote.