Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - September 6, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - September 6, 2023
The Metropolitan Development Commission met on September 6, 2023, to consider several resolutions, petitions, and public hearings. The meeting was led by President Dillon, with a special guest leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included approval of minutes, numerous economic development resolutions, continuances, and two public hearings on rezoning and variance requests.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from August 16, 2023, with Commissioner Robinson recused.
- Approved seven resolutions as a whole (2023 E029, E035, E036, A034, E038, C007, and C008) by a vote of 8-0, with Commissioner Robinson recused on resolution 2023 A034.
- Approved continuance of petition 2023 ZON 055 to December 6, 2023, by vote of 8-0.
- Approved continuance of petition 2023 ZON 026 to September 20, 2023, by vote of 8-0.
- Acknowledged withdrawal of appeal 2023 APP 025.
- Approved six petitions of no appeal as a whole by vote of 8-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made by attendees during the public hearing sections. Only staff and petitioners testified.
Discussion Items
- 2023 E031 & E032 – County Line Road Economic Development Area: Staff (Ryan Hunt) presented on designating approximately 200 acres as an economic development area to support an industrial park, with infrastructure improvements financed by bonds. Approved 7-1 for E031 and 7-1 for E032.
- 2023 E033, E034, E036 – Ingram and Penn Electric Allocation Areas: Staff presented on creating the North Mass Economic Development Area (E033) and two single-site TIF allocation areas for Ingram (E034) and Penn Electric (E036), each supporting separate bonds. All approved 8-0.
- 2023 ZON 053 – 2500 Lafayette Road Rezoning: Petitioner Don Fisher (Insight Engineering) requested rezoning 0.762 acres from C4 to C5 to allow vehicle sales at an existing auto repair. Staff recommended denial, citing the comprehensive plan, nearby multifamily investments (e.g., Herman & Kittle development at 2300 Lafayette Road with ~$900,000 in city funds), and the potential for outdoor display adjacent to residential uses. Commissioner Murphy moved to approve with two commitments (preserve rear buffer and maintain site cleanliness). Passed 6-2 after a previous 4-4 tie in the hearing examiner.
- 2023 BAR 001 amended – 2802 South Holt Road Variances: Petitioner Amr Preet Carr requested variances for a six-foot chain-link fence, outdoor storage of vehicles awaiting repair (up to 72 hours), a temporary portable storage structure, and two sliding gates encroaching on clear sight triangles, all for a planned auto repair shop on a site rezoned to C4. Staff recommended denial, noting that only heavy industrial districts (I-3, I-4) allow six-foot front yard fences and that the requests were self-imposed. After discussion, the petitioner agreed to a continuance to October 4, 2023, to clarify commitments with staff. Motion to continue passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved all economic development resolutions as noted.
- Approved rezoning at 2500 Lafayette Road (C4 to C5) with two commitments, vote 6-2.
- Continued the variance petition for 2802 South Holt Road to October 4, 2023, for further staff discussions.
- Continued petition 2023 ZON 055 to December 6, 2023.
- Continued petition 2023 ZON 026 to September 20, 2023.
- Withdrawal of appeal 2023 APP 025 acknowledged.
- Commissioner Robinson recused on resolution 2023 A034.
Meeting Transcript
Ian Nicolini, can you please come to the podium? Thank you. Greetings. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of September 6, 2023. We have a special guest today, Ian Nicolini, who's going to lead us with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ian. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Ian. Moving forward, we have the minutes of the August 16th, 2023 that have been supplied to members of the commission last Thursday. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none, I will accept a motion to approve. Thank you. Can I have a second? Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Nancy, please show uh Commissioner Robinson as recused as she was not at the meeting. The rest of the votes are aye. Moving forward. Can we read the business policy and resolutions portion of the meeting into the minutes, Madam Secretary? Yes, thank you, President Dillon. First resolution is 2023 E029, a resolution accepting certain funds from IEDC, approving the loan of such funds received from IEDC to support redevelopment within the consolidated allocation area and approving repayment to IEDC from cash on hand in the consolidated allocation fund. Resolution 2023 E031 for public hearing. 2023 E033 for public hearing. Council District 17, Center Township. 2023 E035 authorizes a pledge of tax increment from Ingram Allocation Area to the payment of certain economic development revenue bonds for the Ingram Project. Council District 17 Center Township. 2023 E036 for public hearing. Authorizes a pledge of tax increment from the Penn Electric Allocation Area to the payment of certain economic development revenue bonds for the Penn Electric Project, Council District 17, Center Township. 2023 A034, preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for Billa Bila Solar, Inc. located at 31301, South White River Parkway, East Drive, Council District 16, Center Township. Recommend approval of eight years personal property tax abatement. 2023 E038. Resolution to approve 200,000 from the Hillside Ho TIFF to support the Ralston Town Homes Affordable Housing Development by Martindale Brightwood CDC. 2023 C 007 authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to appoint Valerie Davis to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee with a term that will expire September 6, 2027, as a representative of the community at large in accordance with IC 36-7.1-35.5 J5. Authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to appoint Wahid Ahmed to the Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee with a term that will expire September 6, 2027, as a representative of the community at large in accordance with IC 36-7-15.1-35.5 J5. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Madam Secretary. We have four resolutions for public hearing. One of those resolutions, actually, there's two of those resolutions that dovetail with another resolution. So let's start with those. I'm gonna go to 2023 E031, a confirmatory resolution to create the county line road economic development area and allocation area therein and adopting an economic development plan in accordance with council district number 12, number 25 Franklin Township. That public resolution is this dovetailed with 2023 E032, which authorizes a pledge of tax increment from the county line road allocation area to the payment of certain economic development revenue bonds for the county line project road excuse me county line road project council district number twice 25 in Franklin Township. I will vote those separately but also we'll make sure we call the roll on both. I move we approve. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second.
openpublica.com