Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - May 17, 2023
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Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - May 17, 2023
The Metropolitan Development Commission met on May 17, 2023, beginning at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting covered bid openings, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on tax abatements, continuances, petitions of no appeal, and a contested rezoning case. The Commission also handled several city-initiated rezoning petitions under the Vacant to Vibrant program.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the May 3, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously.
- A motion to amend the agenda to remove officer elections (to be held at next meeting) was approved by consent.
- Bid opening for Indianapolis City Market and Plaza Redevelopment (Gershman Partners, City Mark Inc., GM Development Companies LLC, McCaffrey Interest Inc.) was held.
- Ten resolutions (2023 R011, R013, R014, R015, R016, E017, P011, P012, BB001, BB002) were approved by majority vote. Commissioner Westrick recused from BB001 and BB002; Commissioner Dylan recused from R015. Final vote: 9-0 on majority items, varying recusal counts.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the initial segment; the public hearing on the Meritex tax abatement (2023 A021) had no audience comment.
Discussion Items
- Continuance Requests: Several zoning petitions were continued to June 7, 2023 due to pending commitments: 2022 ZON 102 (3431 Carson Avenue), 2023 ZON 020 (25 South Tuxedo Street), 2023 CZN 812 (1257 South East Street), 2023 CZN 816 (5110 East 82nd Street), 2022 ZON 133 (9425 East 30th Street). All passed 8-0. 2023 ZON 013 (2457-2461 Shelby Street) was continued to June 21, 2023 on a final warning, also 8-0.
- Withdrawal: 2022 ZON 051 and companion 2022 VAR 003 (South Carroll Road/Buck Creek area) were withdrawn by petitioners due to contract failure.
- Public Hearing – 2023 A021: Final economic revitalization area resolution for Meritex Company/Meritex Decatur LLC (7000 West Thompson Road) – approved unanimously (9-0) after staff recommendation and prior City-County Council approval.
- Contested Rezoning – 2022 CZN 872 & 2022 CVR 872 (companion): Proposed D6 zoning for 21.23 acres at 4822 East Edgewood Ave & 5820 South Emerson Ave. Petitioner (Joseph Calderan, representing Indianapolis Emerson LLC) sought rezoning for townhomes and multifamily. Variances for height and livability ratio were withdrawn before the vote. Remonstrators (Woods and Meadows Homeowners Association, represented by Michelle Harder) opposed due to density (14.9 units/acre vs. D6 typical 6-9), drainage concerns, and alleged flaws in the traffic study. Staff recommended approval, citing elimination of variances and infrastructure commitments. After testimony, the Commission voted: 4-3 to deny the rezoning. The variance petition was withdrawn and marked dead.
Key Outcomes
- Denied: 2022 CZN 872 (rezoning) – denied 4-3. Companion variance withdrawn.
- Approved: 2023 A021 (Meritex tax abatement) – approved 9-0.
- Approved: 2023 ZON 032 (former RCA/Thompson site, Sherman Drive & Michigan Street) – rezoning to CS district – approved 7-0.
- Approved: Five city-initiated rezoning petitions under the Vacant to Vibrant program (2023 ZON 033A, 033B, 033C, 034A, 034B – all amended) – each approved 7-0. These rezone DMD-owned properties for affordable housing development using $4.5 million in ARPA funds.
- All continuances and withdrawals were granted as noted.
- Commissioner Westrick was recognized for her service at her last meeting.
- Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Yes. Good to see you, Phil. Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the May seventeenth, twenty twenty three Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting. Would all rise and assist me with the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you very much. We have nine commissioners today, two of which will have to leave early. Let me uh ask the members of the commission. I'd like to get a consent to a move to amend the agenda to remove the vote on officer elections. Do I have consent from members of the commission? Yes. Thank you. We will do that at our next meeting. This meeting is uh too packed to worry about that today. Members of the commission, in your packet you received Thursday were the minutes of the May third, twenty twenty three meeting. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. I will accept the emotion to approve. So moved. I have a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Show the May third, twenty twenty-three minutes have been approved. Today we have a bid opening. And it is a bid opening for the Indianapolis City Market and Plaza Redevelopment. Gershman Partners and City Mark Inc. GM Development Companies LLC and McCaffrey Interest Inc. I will now open these. Madam Secretary, would you read those into the record? Thank you, President Dillon. 2023 R011. Metropolitan Development Commission authorizes DMD to make a forgivable loan of up to 1,200,000 of ARPA funds to facilitate acquisition and rehabilitation of the Grand Meridian for development as affordable housing. 2023 R013 authorizes DD to acquire the town and terrace properties near 42nd Street and Post Road. Resolution 2023 R016. Resolution approving the grant agreement between DMD, the controller, and the Arts Council of Indianapolis. 2023 E017. Increase the contract for the development and implementation of a downtown retail strategy by 150,000. 2023 A016 for our public hearing. Authorizes an amendment to reduce the new job positions and increase the new job wages and extend the real property ERA to the 2019 tax abatement approved by resolution. 2019 A061 and 2019 A062 at 1045 Harding Court Council District 20 Perry Township. 2023 A021 for our public hearing. Also known as 7000 West Thompson Road, Council District 22, Decatur Township. Recommend approval of up to seven years real property tax abatement. 2023 P011 authorizes DEMD to enter into contract with HRNA advisors to provide for the creation and development of a cultural equity plan for the City of Indianapolis. 2023 P012 authorizes the director to rezone the properties generally located at 4201 and 4155 North College Avenue. 2023 BB001 Preliminary Resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds of the development district of the City of Indianapolis. Pan Amp Plaza Project Hotel Revenue Bonds. This ends the reading of the resolutions.
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