Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - September 20, 2023
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - September 20, 2023
This was the regular meeting of the Metropolitan Development Commission of Indianapolis, held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, beginning at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with a special recognition of Keith Holdsworth, a DMD planner retiring after 36 years of service. The commission addressed a number of zoning and economic development items, including continuances, a rezoning petition, and routine approvals. Several items sparked public testimony and debate, particularly around neighborhood engagement.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting minutes from the previous session were approved unanimously.
- The following eight "petitions of no appeal" were approved without opposition (roll call 7-0):
- 2023 APP 020 (8260 NAB Row)
- 2023 APP 021 (8091 Township Line Road)
- 2023 APP 023 amended (310 West 42nd Street)
- 2023 MOD 014 (6011 Copeland Mills Drive)
- 2023 CZN 834 (4202 East 10th Street and 1009 Gladstone Avenue)
- 2023 CZN 835 (1100–1122 English Avenue)
- 2023 CZN 842 (2601 East New York Street and 239 North Temple Avenue)
- 2023 REG 059 (260 South Illinois Street / 101 West Georgia Street / 201 South Cabanol Avenue)
- Resolution 2023 P016, authorizing acceptance of funds from the Mellon Foundation and Purdue University to prepare a certified strategic plan for Indiana Avenue with EKLA Studio LLC, was approved with a 7-0 vote. (Staff co-lead Carmen Lethig expressed full support.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jess Darling, representing the Fountain Square Alliance, and Elizabeth Sif (a community member) opposed a 60-day continuance for property at 1545 Van Buren Street (case 2023 CZN 823). They stated the developer had not meaningfully engaged, had provided delayed responses, and had presented no modified plans. They asked the commission to deny the continuance and proceed with the remonstration.
- Rose Gilmore, a remonstrator for case 2022 CZN 867 (5400 Greenfield Avenue), urged the commission to deny the petitioner’s appeal because it was filed late and continued a pattern of mishandling responsibilities. Laura Purdue (Indiana Forest Alliance) echoed that request.
- Peggy Powers (Tarkington Tower resident) testified in support of the MLK Center rezoning (2023 ZON 064), stating the organization has a history of transparency and good faith engagement with neighbors.
- Several remonstrators spoke against the MLK Center rezoning, including Keith Micels (adjacent neighbor) and Morton Marcus (economist), who expressed concerns about "project creep," lack of a final development plan, and potential future uses not constrained by current leadership's intentions.
Discussion Items
- Vila Solar Inc. Economic Revitalization Area Resolution (2023 A035): Staff (Ryan Hunt) requested a continuance from the public hearing to allow the petitioner more time to understand Indiana’s classification of personal vs. real property for tax abatement commitments. The commission continued the item to December 20, 2023, with the possibility of a further update if needed. No public comment was heard. Vote: 7-0.
- 1545 Van Buren Street Continuance (2023 CZN 823): Attorney Mary Soliday requested a 60-day continuance, citing ongoing discussions. Neighbors opposed, arguing the developer had not budged despite a year and a half of engagement. Commissioner Dillon expressed sympathy and voted to continue, noting the property is important to the neighborhood and urging progress. The continuance was granted to November 15, 2023. Vote: 7-0.
- 6501 Brookville Road (2023 ZON 026): Staff (Kathleen) reported that commitments had not been submitted after five continuances, and the petitioner had been out of the country. The commission granted one final continuance to October 4, 2023, with Commissioner James voting no. Vote: 6-1.
- Appeal Denial for 2022 CZN 867 (5400 Greenfield Avenue): Petitioner Baldi Batham asked for a continuance because remonstrators received late notice. Staff noted the appeal paperwork was incomplete and submitted after the deadline. The commission denied the request to hear the appeal, then proceeded to vote on the underlying petition of no appeal (recommended for denial). The denial of the petition was approved 6-1 (Commissioner Moreity voted no).
- MLK Multi-Service Center Rezoning (2023 ZON 064): Petitioner David Kingan and Alison Luthy (MLK Center) requested rezoning from D2 to SU7 to legally establish the community center. They emphasized that no site plan or building permit is attached, and any future expansion would require administrator approval with additional opportunities for neighbor input. Staff (Keith Holdsworth) explained the SU7 district and the added commitment that final site plans be shared with remonstrators. The commission voted 6-1 to approve the rezoning.
Key Outcomes
- Vila Solar continuance approved to December 20, 2023.
- 1545 Van Buren Street continuance approved to November 15, 2023; staff directed to facilitate further discussions with the Fountain Square Alliance.
- 6501 Brookville Road continued to October 4, 2023, with a warning that failure to comply will result in dismissal.
- 2022 CZN 867 appeal denied and the underlying petition (for denial) was approved 6-1, upholding the hearing examiner’s recommended denial.
- MLK Center rezoning (2023 ZON 064) approved 6-1, with a commitment to share future development plans with remonstrators.
- All eight petitions of no appeal and Resolution 2023 P016 were approved unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Let me call to order the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting of September twenty, twenty twenty-three. We have a very special recognition on our pledge of allegiance today, who will be led by Keith Holdsworth. Keith has been with the department for over thirty-six years and has survived five mayors, came in as uh a planner in the parks department, and also obviously everyone knows has been a planner for many of those years with the Department of Metropolitan Department Metropolitan Development. Uh Keith, it's been a pleasure working with you. Uh we've had our back and forth over the years, and now that we're in a groove together, you're leaving me, brother. I can't believe it. But uh what a fantastic career, what a great representation to the city of Indianapolis. Uh we wish you the best. And you said you want to go climb mountains, man, so I uh I hope you do it and get out there and do it. Would you lead us today in the Pledge of Leviance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. And I'll take this moment to say that Commission members, you all do a lot of very important work. I encourage you to always be educating yourselves on planning and zoning issues, and let you know that in Matt and Kathleen and in Linda, you have very valuable assets and resources that can help you. One more time for Keith, please. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none, I'll accept a motion to approve. So moved. Thank you. Alpha have a second. Thank you, MJ. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. One that stands for public hearing. Uh, madam secretary, would you please read both into the minutes? Yes, thank you, President Dillon. Twenty twenty-three A zero three five for public hearing. Final economic revitalization area resolution for Bill A Solar Incorporated. Located at thirteen oh one aka twelve forty-nine Southright White River Parkway, East Drive, Council District 16, Center Township. Recommend approval of eight years personal property tax abatement. Also have resolution 2023 P016 authorizes the director of DMD to accept funds from the Mellon Foundation and Purdue University West Lafayette on behalf of the Commission and to use those funds to enter into a professional services agreement with EKLA Studio LLC to partially fund the creation of the Indiana Avenue certified strategic plan. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you. Nancy, we have uh one resolution for public hearing, resolution number 2023A35. Do I understand we're going to take a continuance on that, Mr. Hunt? Thank you, President Dylan, members of the commission, Ryan Hunt with DMD. Uh yes, sir. We would uh on behalf of the petitioner staffs requesting a continuance of the final hearing for Vila Solar in discussions with their consultants. Uh we and this is something we're on to a lot with new companies. Uh they want to understand how Indiana Cassara categorizes personal property versus real property, and in order to make sure that their commitments accurately reflect what how that will end up being assessed. And so they've asked for some time to go through all that and button up the documents, come back to you for a final approval uh probably in December. And so this is a public hearing, so we're not having the hearing. We'll need to re-advertise uh this for uh when that final day is confirmed. So I would suspect it would be December, it possibly be January, but in either case, we'll advertise uh in the paper and to taxing bodies uh at minimum 10 days before that date. Mr. Pleasant, what is our meeting time in uh December? You have December 6th and December 20th.
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