Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting January 18, 2023
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Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting January 18, 2023
The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) held a public meeting on January 18, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included approval of minutes, passage of six resolutions, an update on the Drake property acquisition, continuances for several zoning cases, and a contested rezoning petition for a proposed classical school on Indianapolis's northwest side. All votes were unanimous, with most passing 9-0.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved minutes from December 7, 2022, December 21, 2022, and January 4, 2023, by a vote of 8-0 (Commissioner Blackburn had not yet arrived).
- Resolutions: Approved all six resolutions (2023 R001, E002, E003, A001, A002, FS001) without discussion. These authorizes DMD property acquisition at 3060 North Meridian Street ($270,000 grant for City Market operations, $400,000 professional services agreement for underwriting, preliminary tax abatements for two sites, and extension of a professional services agreement). Vote: 9-0.
- Petitions of No Appeals: Approved two no-appeal zoning petitions (2022 ZON 126 at 1401 Indiana Avenue and 2022 ZON 132 at 8205 Georgetown Road) by a 9-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rezoning 2022 ZON 119 – Children's Better Health Institute / Classical School: Four remonstrators (Joanna Franklin, Edwin Case, Linda Oglesby, Sue Laudernock) expressed concerns about traffic safety, inadequate notice, and the potential for future enrollment growth. They emphasized that 44th Street is narrow, lacks shoulders and sidewalks, has blind spots, and already experiences congestion. Remonstrators asked for a full traffic study and broader neighborhood notification.
Discussion Items
- Drake Property Update: Director Rusty Carr reported that DMD is in purchase agreement negotiations with the Children's Museum. The acquisition will resolve outstanding lawsuit. After purchase, DMD plans to issue an RFP for redevelopment, with affordable housing as a likely use. Commissioner Blackburn welcomed the progress.
- Continuance – 2022 ZON 112 (Petitioner: Can Be Village LLC): Requested by petitioner due to ongoing negotiations with Councilor Bain. Continued to February 15, 2023 (9-0).
- Continuance – 2022 ZON 051 / 2022 VAR 003 (Becknell Holdings): Continued to March 15, 2023, due to scheduling and business conditions (9-0).
- Withdrawal of Appeal – 2022 UV 1042: The City-County Councilor filed a withdrawal, which the Commission acknowledged. The underlying Board of Zoning Appeals variance is now granted.
- Continuance – 2022 ZON 063 (4720 Kingsway Drive): Continued to February 1, 2023, pending receipt and approval of commitments (9-0).
- Rezoning 2022 ZON 119 – Classical School Proposal: Petitioner Tim Oaks (Ice Miller) represented Children's Better Health Institute, proposing a private, secular classical school (K-8, max 140 students) in the former Servoss estate. Initial rezoning was from SU7 to SU2 on 22.79 acres, but reduced to 8.5 acres after neighborhood feedback. The school would operate within the existing home with no new exterior improvements. A traffic analysis by ANF Engineering concluded no negative impact, but staff did not require a full traffic study. The site is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan (rural/estate designation), but staff recommended approval due to limited scope. Several commissioners expressed concerns about the lack of a full traffic study, insufficient pro-forma details, and notice adequacy. After discussion, the petitioner requested a continuance to produce a full traffic study and expand notification. The Commission continued the item to March 1, 2023 (9-0).
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approvals on minutes, six resolutions, and two no-appeal petitions.
- Drake property acquisition moving forward; RFP for redevelopment, likely affordable housing.
- Continuances granted for four zoning cases (to Feb 1, Feb 15, March 1, March 15, 2023).
- Rezoning 2022 ZON 119 continued to March 1, 2023, with directive for a full traffic study to include drop-off/pick-up analysis and expanded neighborhood notice.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Let me call to order the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of January 18th, 2023. Mr. Pleasant, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Yes, sir. I pledge allegiance to the flag. The United States of America and to the Republic for which the stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mr. Pleasant. Members of the Commission. You have previously, as of last week, been supplied the minutes of December 7th, 2022, December 21st, 2022, January 4th, 2023. Heather, thank you for getting those up to speed and getting those completed. We appreciate it. I'm assuming uh everybody has taken a long look at all those minutes. If you want a second to review them, we could certainly do that for two minutes. Take a quick peek and make sure you're comfortable. Are there any additions or deletions to the minutes of the 7th, 21st or January 4th or 23? Hearing none because there are three sets. I'm gonna ask Commissioner Ash for a motion to approve. So moved. Commissioner Bronze, can I get a second? Second. Let me call the roll. Ash. Ash, yes. Bronze. Bruns, yes. Garver, Garver, yes. Robinson. Robinson, yes. Schumacher. Schumacher, yes. Selm Selma Westridge. West trick, yes. Dylan is an aye. The three sets of minutes pass eight to zero. Moving forward, we have six resolutions on the agenda today. Heather, would you read those into the minutes? Real estate resolution number 2023 R001 authorizes DMD to acquire property at 3060 North Meridian Street for redevelopment, economic development and incentives. Resolution 2023 E002 authorizes director of DMD to make a grant to the city corporate city market corporation to assist in funding the maintenance and operation of the city market in an amount not to exceed 270,000 dollars. Resolution 2023 E003 authorizes director of DMD to enter into a professional services agreement with the National Council for Community Development Incorporated to provide for underwriting and cost estimating services in an amount not to exceed 400,000 dollars. Resolution 2023 A001 approves a preliminary economic revitalization area for Midwest Remediation Incorporated and Suite Realty Group 5 LLC located at 80 10 and 8006 East 38th Street Council District 13 Lawrence Township recommends approval of three years eligible vacant building real property tax abatement. Resolution 2023 A002 approves a preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for B BMW C constructors incorporated in Miley Avenue LLC, located at 1740 West Michigan Street, Council District 11 Center Township recommends approval of five years real property tax abatement financial services resolution 2023 FS001 authorizes director of DMD to extend the term of the professional services agreement with resultant LLC until December 31, 2023. That is the end of the resolutions. Thank you, Heather. Just for the record, resolution number 2023 E002. It shows in the record 2022, it should be 2023 E002. Secondly, um Mr. Pleasant, the press is here today wanting to inquire about the Drake, and although we don't need a public uh hearing, and because of the fact Commissioner Sum has championed the Drake. Would you kind of update everybody of the status?
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