Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - March 15, 2023

The Metropolitan Development Commission met on March 15, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included public bid openings, several unanimous approvals of resolutions, and contested public hearings on two rezoning petitions. New commissioner Michael James was welcomed.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of the March 1, 2023 meeting were approved 7-0 with one recusal (Commissioner Robinson absent).
• Public Bid Opening for Union Station Management: Two bids were received—from JL and Kinmar—and referred to staff for evaluation and recommendation.
• Real Estate Resolution 2023 R005: Approved 6-0, transferring 3950 Meadows to HHC for government use.
• City Market Redevelopment Areas (2023 E01 and 2023 E012): Two confirmatory resolutions creating the City Market North and East allocation areas and authorizing a pledge of tax increment for bonds were both approved 8-0 (with one recusal on E012).
• Final Economic Revitalization Area Resolution 2023 A014 (Gershman Partners): Approved 7-0 with one recusal for an expanded mixed-use project in Broad Ripple.
• Groundwater Protection Fund Resolutions (2023 P009 and P008): Both approved 8-0, establishing a $275,000 budget and authorizing assessment of water supply systems to fund the program.
• Zoning Code Amendment 2023 A001: Approved 8-0 after a presentation by Shannon Norman. The amendment includes technical corrections, adds parks and playgrounds as permitted uses in all districts, clarifies mixed-use plan requirements, and limits commercial parking lots to two acres with a special exception requirement. The amendment proceeds to the City-County Council.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Decatur Township Civic Council (2022 ZON 112): Pat Andrews expressed support for the amended rezoning, stating the change to allow residential development meets community needs and that the previous commercial plan had not materialized. She noted the civic council voted 22-2 in favor.
• Councillor Bain (2022 ZON 112): Did not formally remonstrate but expressed concern that the project falls short of the potential for a first-class development on a major corridor. He highlighted that neighbors supported the plan partly out of fear of warehouses, and argued the land was not properly marketed for commercial use.
• Remonstrator Chuck Gray (2023 ZON 005): Adjacent business owner at 1351 DeLaw Street, opposed rezoning from I2 to D8 for a single-family home. He argued the change would limit his future ability to expand his industrial business due to a required 30-foot transitional yard, and cited parking and noise concerns. He noted the lot had been industrial for decades and that he purchased the property relying on the industrial zoning.

Discussion Items

• Continuance Requests:
  • 2022 CZN/CVR 872 (remonstrator’s attorney absent): Granted to May 3, 2023, over the petitioner’s objection, as remonstrators were present and had requested the delay. Vote 8-0.
  • 2022 ZON 051 (Southeastern Ave): Petitioner and remonstrators jointly requested continuance to June 21, 2023, citing ongoing negotiations. Granted 8-0.
  • 2023 C VR 800B (834 E. 64th St): Petitioner requested continuance to April 5, 2023, to submit a revised site plan. Granted 8-0.
  • Multiple petitions of no appeal (2023 MOD 002, 2023 ZON 003, 2022 MOD 021) were continued to April 5, 2023, pending executed commitments. Approved 8-0 or 7-0 with one recusal.
• 2022 ZON 112 (Camby Village LLC): Petitioner Brian Tuey presented a reduced rezoning of 58.5 acres from C4 to C5, removing an industrial component and adding 133 single-family homes, 52 paired patio homes, and two acres of restricted commercial. The Decatur Township Civic Council supported the plan. A staff recommendation for approval noted consistency with the 2018 comprehensive plan. After discussion, the vote was 7-1 in favor, with one commissioner dissenting due to concerns about giving up commercial frontage along a major highway.
• 2023 ZON 005 (1405 DeLaw Street): Petitioner Peter Gundy sought rezoning of a 0.08-acre lot from I2 to D8 to build a single-family home. Staff supported the rezoning, noting the lot historically contained a home for over a century and that the comprehensive plan recommends residential use. Remonstrator Chuck Gray opposed, citing impacts on his adjacent industrial business. During deliberation, Commissioner Westrick suggested exploring a preemptive variance for the transitional yard, but the petitioner and remonstrator did not reach an agreement. The petition passed 5-3.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolutions: All resolutions on the consent calendar and those voted on after public hearings (2023 R005, 2023 E01, 2023 E012, 2023 A014, 2023 P009, 2023 P008, 2023 A001) passed unanimously or with minimal recusals.
• Continuances Granted: Four continuances were approved as detailed above.
• 2022 ZON 112 Approved: 7-1, allowing residential development with reduced commercial on 58.5 acres in Decatur Township.
• 2023 ZON 005 Approved: 5-3, permitting a single-family home on a formerly industrial lot in Center Township, with staff clarifying that the adjacent business’s current use is grandfathered but future expansion may be limited by a 30-foot transitional yard.
• Meeting Adjourned: The meeting concluded at approximately 8:30 PM, with staff directed to continue developing a process for combined variance requests (as discussed in the 2023 ZON 005 hearing).