Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - July 19, 2023
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Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - July 19, 2023
The Metropolitan Development Commission met on July 19, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the City-County Building. The meeting included approval of minutes, several resolutions, continuances, and three public hearings on rezoning and variance petitions. Key actions included approval of a mixed-use development near Martin University, approval of a self-storage facility on Ditch Road, and denial of a proposed Quick Trip travel center on South Harding Street.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: The minutes from the July 5, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote.
- Resolutions 2023-R027 and 2023-E026: Approved together 7-0. Resolution 2023-R027 authorizes DMD to deed property to reflect use and tax status; Resolution 2023-E026 enters a local agreement to support an automotive training center.
- No Appeals Docket: Six petitions (2023 ZON 021, 027, 038, 046, 051, and 2023 CAP 819) were approved as a block 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Quick Trip Travel Center (2022 CZN 862 & 2022 C VR 862): Remonstrators led by Greg DeZula (5221 South Harding Street) opposed the rezoning, presenting photographs of tractor-trailer accidents, environmental and health concerns, and arguing that a 24/7 truck stop is incompatible with residential DA district. They cited the recent ordinance restricting truck stops within 500 feet of protected districts. One neighbor, Kim Martin DeZula, also spoke against the proposal, citing increased crime and decreased property values.
- Crossroads Development (2023 ZON 048): Latia Tunsto (2321 Station Street) spoke in support of the mixed-use project, noting it would complement her own plans for a disability-focused development and benefit the neighborhood.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 2023-E025 (City Market Improvement): Public hearing. Staff urged approval as the next step in the transformative City Market campus project. No public comment. Approved 7-0.
- Resolution 2023-BB004 (Pan Am Plaza Hotel Revenue Bonds): Public hearing. Staff described this as a confirmatory resolution for the transformative project on the south side of Indianapolis. No public comment. Approved 6-0-1 (Commissioner Dylan recused).
- Quick Trip Corporation (2022 CZN 862 & 2022 C VR 862): Petitioner Murray Clark (attorney) presented a plan for a Quick Trip travel center at 5204-5216 South Harding Street, rezoning from CS to C7 with variances for a dumpster enclosure, pole sign height, landscaping, and incidental sign. He emphasized Quick Trip's corporate reputation, commitments to prohibit right turns by trucks, and support from Councilor Josh Bain. Staff (Keith Holdsworth) recommended denial, citing C7's incompatibility with adjacent residential, the recent ordinance against truck stops near protected districts, and the variances being unjustified. After a 15-minute presentation and 5-minute rebuttal, the Commission voted 6-1 to deny both petitions. Commissioner Ash expressed concern about truck traffic and enforcement of the no-right-turn commitment.
- Adams French Property LLC (2023 ZON 023 & 2023 VAR 003): Petitioner Brian Toy (50 South Meridian) requested rezoning from C1/C4 to CS and a variance for a 30-foot landscape buffer (instead of 50 feet) for a three-story self-storage facility at 8480-8510 Ditch Road. The site, vacant for 20 years, was a former gas station with environmental contamination. Toy noted support from the NORA community council, adjacent property owners, and Washington Township Trustee. Staff recommended denial, arguing the use is industrial (C7) and incompatible with the comprehensive plan, and the buffer reduction represents overdevelopment. After rebuttal, the Commission voted 7-0 to approve, with conditions that the site be maintained orderly and landscaping maximized.
- Crossroads Development (2023 ZON 048): Petitioner David Gilman (211 South Ritter Avenue) requested rezoning from D5/C7 to DP for a mixed-use development at 2214-2320 Station Street, 3619-3631 Massachusetts Avenue, and 2219-2233 Avondale Place. The project includes 40 apartment homes (two buildings), 13 units above daycare and commercial space, 4,625 sq ft of commercial, and a daycare with covered play area. Staff recommended approval, noting the two-story height is a good transition and the rezoning from C7 to residential is appropriate. The Commission voted 7-0 to approve.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved: 7-0.
- Resolutions 2023-R027 and 2023-E026: Approved 7-0.
- Resolution 2023-E025 (City Market): Approved 7-0.
- Resolution 2023-BB004 (Pan Am Plaza bonds): Approved 6-0-1 (Dylan recused).
- Quick Trip petitions (2022 CZN 862 & 2022 C VR 862): Denied 6-1.
- Self-storage facility (2023 ZON 023 & 2023 VAR 003): Approved 7-0.
- Mixed-use development (2023 ZON 048): Approved 7-0.
- Continuances: Several petitions were continued to August 2, 2023 (2023 ZON 025, 2023 VAR 002, 2023 MOD 012, 2023 ZON 031, 2022 CZN 876, 2023 CVC 829) and to August 16, 2023 (2023 ZON 049, 2023 CZN 830, 2023 CVR 830), all unanimously approved. Commissioner Ash noted that the commission expects all business to be completed by the next hearing date.
Meeting Transcript
Ike McCoy, can you go to the podium, please, sir? Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. It is one o'clock. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of July nineteenth, twenty twenty-three. We have a very special guest with us today who also will be helping me with our bid openings. This is his last week as he will be moving over and becoming a officer at IMPD. I congratulate. Would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag. For which it stands one nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Ike. Appreciate it very much. Members of the Commission, in your packets are the minutes from the July fifth meeting that you received last Thursday. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none, I'll accept the motion to approve. So moved. Thank you. Have a second. I'll second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. The minutes passed. Ike, can you come up with me, please? We have before us today uh two uh proposals on closed bids that I will open and then turn over to Ike McCoy for the review for uh staff's opinion. In front of me I have uh two responses that were received for the old city hall RFP thirteen DMD twenty twenty-two seven. The second one is from the Gershman Partners. Ike here you go. Staff will evaluate those and come back with a recommendation for the commission. We also have today five uh responses for the twin year RFP thirteen DMD 2023 five. Look out, I see things flying, man. The first one is from KCG Assent Ventures. The second one is from Flannery and Collins. The third is from Buckingham and R D O O R the fourth is from TWG Development LLC for twin air RFP response. And finally, from Dylan Realty, D E Y L E N for their twin air RFP 13 DMD 2023 5. Ike. Good luck to you in your role. Can't think of a better person to have out there for Technance. Thank you very much. All right, sir. Moving forward. We have uh several resolutions. Nancy, can you read those into the record, please? Yes, thank you, President Dillon. 2023 R027. Metropolitan Development Commission authorizes D and D to deed property to accurately reflect the use and tax status of the property. 2023 E025 for public hearing. Recommendation for the build operator transfer developer of the city market improvement project project. 2023 E026.
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