Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – January 17, 2024
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – January 17, 2024
The Metropolitan Development Commission convened on January 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM to consider resolutions, continuances, and two public hearings. All votes were unanimous 7-0. The main agenda item was a rezoning petition for a proposed housing hub for people experiencing homelessness.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the January 3, 2024 meeting were approved.
- Six policy resolutions were approved en bloc: 2024 R001 (authorizing DMD to dispose of property at 1322 Columbia Avenue), 2024 E001 (authorizing up to $1 million for financial services to support businesses owned by disproportionately impacted classes), 2024 E003 (amending a services agreement with CAT Consulting LLC and assigning rights to the CAC), 2024 E004 (declaratory resolution for expanding a consolidated redevelopment area as a housing hub allocation area), 2024 E007 (granting $300,000 in 2024 for City Market maintenance and operation), and 2024 P001 (appointing a backup hearing examiner and plan commission member). All passed 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered on the consent calendar items.
- For the rezoning petition 2023 ZON 121, three remonstrators spoke in opposition: John Maveris (958 East Georgia Street), Thomas Gormley (963 East Georgia Street), and Daniel Paul Graff (1110 Bait Street). They expressed concerns about lack of prior community engagement, potential negative impacts on property values and neighborhood safety, security arrangements, and the “low barrier” model. John Maveris noted that he had invested in the area for a decade and is now considering moving. Daniel Graff stated that despite promises, petitioner representatives never visited their homes.
- David Kingan (618 East Market) spoke in support, emphasizing that the final site plan would address many concerns.
Discussion Items
- Continuances and Withdrawals:
- 2023 CAP/CVR 856 (requested by Bill Nemeyer) was continued to February 21 with new notice, as required by staff.
- 2023 ZON 055 (approved in December) was formally withdrawn after financing fell through; the withdrawal was acknowledged before City-County Council action.
- 2023 ZON 101 and 2023 CZN 863 were continued to February 21 without notice at the request of staff.
- No Appeals Docket: Four petitions (2023 ZON 072, 088, 113, and 2023 CZN 803) were approved without appeal.
- Plat Petition 2023 PLT 101: A subdivision plat for Mount Perrin Hope Subdivision (19.464 acres into two lots) was approved 7-0, subject to ten conditions from the staff report. The petition had been transferred from the Plat Committee due to a tie vote.
- Rezoning Petition 2023 ZON 121: The petitioner, RHC Shelby Street LLC (an affiliate of RDOR/Merchants Affordable Housing), requested rezoning from I-4 (industrial) to CS-TOG (commercial specific) to develop a “housing hub” at 1007–1030 Shelby and Bait Streets. The proposed facility would include day services, emergency shelter, master-leased apartments, a health center, and supportive services for up to 150–200 residents. Petitioner Brian Twee, along with Andrew Merkley (City Division of Homelessness) and developer Brian Kahn, argued the site is well-served by transit (Blue and Red lines) and consistent with the comprehensive plan’s pattern book and transit-oriented plans. Staff (Kathleen) recommended approval, noting the area is transitioning from industrial to residential. Three remonstrators raised concerns about insufficient community input, security, funding uncertainty, and potential harm to nearby home values. Petitioner rebutted with examples of successful supportive housing near high-value properties (e.g., Wheeler Mission area). The commission approved the petition 7-0 with three commitments, including an amended right-of-way dedication (unless DPW waives or adjusts).
Key Outcomes
- All six policy resolutions passed 7-0.
- Three continuances and one withdrawal were granted as requested.
- The “no appeals” docket (four petitions) passed 7-0.
- Plat petition 2023 PLT 101 was approved 7-0 with conditions.
- Rezoning petition 2023 ZON 121 was approved 7-0 with three commitments, including the amended right-of-way language.
Meeting Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of January 17th, 2024. Our newly appointed attorney for the Commission is Ethan Hudson, and he will be getting married next Saturday. Congratulations. Thank you. And he has volunteered to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance today. Ethan. If you'd please join me. 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, Councillor. Well done. Members of the Commission. This week or last week, you had delivered to you the January 3, 2024 Commission meeting minutes. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. Commissioner Schumacher, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Thank you. Commissioner Robinson, can I get a second? Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? I'm recused. You missed the meeting. Thank you. Murphy's also recused. Thank you. That leaves us with five approval. We're still good. Thank you, Nancy. Moving forward. We have six resolutions on our agenda today. Madam Secretary, can you read those into the minutes? Yes, thank you, President Dillon. 2024 R001. Authorizes DMD to dispose of the property at 1322 Columbia Avenue. 2020 2024 E001 authorizes DMD to allocate up to 1 million dollars for financial services to support economic development for growth of businesses owned by disproportionately impacted classes and in qualified census tracts. 2024 E003 authorizes the director of DMD to amend the current services agreement with CAT Consulting LLC by transferring the remaining balance as well as assign the rights of the current agreement to the CAC CAC. 2024 E004 declaratory resolution and consolidated redevelopment plan to expand the consolidated area and establish the extended area as the housing hub allocation area. 2024 E007 authorizes DMD to grant 300,000 for the year 2024 to assist in funding the maintenance and operation of the city market. And 2024 P001, it's appointment of a backup hearing examiner and plaque commend committee member. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Nancy. None of the six resolutions stand for public hearing today. Are there any questions from members of the commission on any of the six? Seeing none, I'm going to take the six as a whole. Commissioner Robinson, can I get a motion to accept and approve the six policy resolutions? So moved.
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