Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – February 21, 2024
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – February 21, 2024
The Metropolitan Development Commission met on February 21, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, public hearings, and discussion of several development proposals. All votes were unanimous (8-0) except where noted. Key actions included approval of tax abatements for Republic Polymers and Blue Polymers, a modified commitment for a painting business, and rezoning for a new subdivision by Arbor Homes.
Consent Calendar
- The commission approved the minutes from the February 7, 2024 meeting.
- Approved five policy resolutions (2024 R004, 2024 R005, 2024 E011, 2024 A003, 2024 A004, 2024 A005, 2024 A006) in a single vote. These included an intergovernmental transfer of property, cooperation with the Indianapolis Fire Department for a fire station site, a contract for data tracking software, and preliminary economic revitalization area resolutions with tax abatements for Republic Polymers 2 LLC and Blue Polymers LLC.
- Approved a waiver of the 2023 pay 2024 deduction application filing deadline for IMH Products Inc. (2024 A008) after a public hearing. The waiver was granted because the company missed the deadline but was in compliance. Vote: 8-0.
- Approved seven petitions on the no-appeal docket (2023 MOD 002, 2023 ZON 105, 2023 ZON 122, 2023 CZN 863, 2023 CAP 863, 2023 CZN 865, 2023 REG 106) as recommended by the hearing examiner. Vote: 8-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- IMH Products Waiver (2024 A008): Letitia Ramsey, DMD compliance manager, presented the waiver request. No public comment. Approved.
- Republic Polymers & Blue Polymers Tax Abatements (2024 A003-A006): Attorney Josh Minkler (Barnes & Thornburg) appeared on behalf of the companies. He confirmed that a prior stop work order had been resolved, all permits are now in compliance, and foundation construction is underway. He committed to reporting back before the full building permit is issued in April. Commissioner Blackburn asked about recycling of electronics; Alex from Blue Polymers explained that the facility handles only plastics (2-7), and electronics should go to authorized recyclers like Technology Recyclers, Recycle Force, or ERI. The commission approved the four abatements. Vote: 8-0.
- Modified Commitment for Decatur Township (2023 CAP 856): Attorney Bill Nemeyer requested withdrawal of the companion petition (2023 CVR 856) and narrowed the request to modify commitment two at 6345 West Thompson Road. The change allows an office for a painting business with up to four business vehicles, two of which may park overnight (previously one). Pat Andrews, representing the Decatur Township Civic Council, stated the civic council now supports the modified commitment. Staff also recommended approval. No remonstrators. Vote: 8-0.
Discussion Items
- Republic Polymers Compliance: President Dillon raised concerns about a stop work order. Attorney Minkler explained that the issue was with the developer, not Republic, and has been resolved. The commission will receive a report in April.
- Arbor Homes Rezoning (2023 ZON 117): Caitlin Dofer, Director of Entitlement for Arbor Homes, presented a proposal for a 244-lot subdivision called Middleton at 11015 and 11127 East 46th Street (Lawrence Township). The project includes two products: traditional Arbor Homes (single-family homes from 1,200 to 3,200 sq. ft.) and a new Genesis product (attainable homes in the mid- to high-$200,000s, 1,100 to 1,900 sq. ft., with no shared walls). The Genesis homes are designed to be more affordable by using smaller lots, efficient construction, and prototypes currently being built in Pike Township. Density is 3.29 units per acre. Traffic study and commitments have been addressed. Staff recommended approval. Commissioners discussed lot sizes, parking, and the potential for converting the Genesis product to traditional homes if needed. The commission approved the rezoning. Vote: 8-0.
Key Outcomes
- All votes were unanimous (8-0).
- Approved tax abatements for Republic Polymers and Blue Polymers, contingent on continued compliance and a progress report in April.
- Approved a modified commitment for the painting business at 6345 West Thompson Road, with the civic council’s support.
- Rezoned 75.5 acres for the Middleton subdivision, with a mix of single-family homes and an affordable Genesis product.
- Granted continuances for two petitions: 2023 ZON 101 (to March 20, 2024) and 2023 CZN 858 (to March 6, 2024), due to pending commitments.
- Withdrawn petition: 2023 ZON 114 (2307 Post Drive) at the petitioner’s request.
- The commission expressed interest in touring the Genesis prototype homes in Pike Township.
Meeting Transcript
Gentlemen, good afternoon. Let me call to order the Metropolitan Development Commission meeting of February 21st, 2024. We're joined today by one of my favorites, Hannah Thomas, who is her last day is Friday, has been the head of public relations for DMD for how many years, Hannah? Three years now. But I've been in the administration for since the beginning. Yeah. Um what a superb effort you've given. What a fantastic service you've given to the city. It's been a pleasure to uh deal with you and work with you, and we wish you well on your new venture going forward. Would everybody rise, Hannah's gonna lead us in a pledge of losers. I Pledge of 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, sir. Thank you, Hannah. Good luck to you. I also want to take a moment and recognize another star of the administration. Chief Malone, can you please stand who's with us today, the head of Indiana Fire Department? Chief, welcome and appreciate everything you do to keep us safe. Moving forward. Members of the commission, you received the uh packet on Thursday, which had the minutes from our previous meeting in them. Are there any additions or deletions to the minutes of February 7th, 2024? Hearing none, I'll accept the emotion to approve. So moved. Have a second. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Nancy, can you read the policy resolutions into the minutes? Thank you, President Dillon. Excuse me. Resolution 2024 R004 authorizes the Metropolitan Development Commission, Department of Metropolitan Development to accept the intergovernmental transfer of certain real property located at 2605 East 25th Street. 2024 R005 authorizes DMD to cooperate with the Indianapolis Fire Department to acquire a site in the center township area for construction of a new fire station to address public safety needs. 2024 E011 Metropolitan Development Commission authorizes DMD to contract with Crow LLP for services related to data tracking software. 2024 A003 preliminary economic revitalization area resolution and waiver of requirement to file a deduction application prior to initiating the development for Republic Polymers 2 LLC, located at 1002 West Hannah Avenue, Council District 9, Perry Township. Recommend approval of 10 years real property tax abatement and requested waiver. 2024 A004, preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for Republic Polymers 2 LLC, located at 1002 West Hannah Avenue, Council District 9, Perry Township. Recommend approval of 10 years personal property tax abatement. 2024 A005. Preliminary economic revisation area resolution and waiver of requirement to file a deduction application prior to initiating the development for Blue Polymers LLC located at 1010 West Hannah Avenue, Council District 9, Perry Township. Recommend approval of 10 years real property tax abatement and requested waiver. 2024 A006 preliminary economic revitalization area resolution for Blue Palmers LLC located at 1010 West Hannah Avenue, Council District 9, Perry Township. Recommend approval of 10 years personal property tax abatement. 2024 A008 for public hearing. Resolution authorizes a waiver of the 2023 pay 2024 detection deduction application filing deadlines for the tax abatement approved by resolution 2019 A019 for IMH Products Incorporated at 1925 Columbia Avenue Council District 17 Center Township. 2024 P004 establishes and approves a budget of 275,000 dollars for the groundwater protection fund and authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to administer the fund for the purposes of developing and operating education and voluntary business registration programs through the Marion County Well Field Education Corporation MCWEC and administering the well-field protection secondary zoning districts. Authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to assess the public water supply systems of Marion County. $275,000 for the purpose of funding the groundwater protection fund for 2024. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Madam Secretary. I'm gonna take resolution number 2024A, which stands for a public hearing first.
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