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Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - July 17, 2024

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, July 17, 2024
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, July 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

I would appreciate it.

0:01

Thank you, ma'am.

0:02

That's okay.

2:06

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

2:08

Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of July seventeenth, twenty twenty-four.

2:15

Would everybody please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?

2:44

Thank you very much.

2:45

First, on our agenda are the adoptions of the minutes from July third of twenty twenty-four.

2:53

Uh Commissioner Robinson.

2:57

You have to recuse yourself.

2:59

Megan, you'll have to recuse yourself as well.

3:03

The minutes were delivered to members of the uh commission back on Thursday.

3:09

Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes?

3:14

Hearing none, can I get a motion to approve?

3:16

So move.

3:17

So move.

3:17

Thank you, Mr.

3:18

Murphy.

3:19

Can I get a second, Bruce?

3:20

Second.

3:21

Thank you.

3:22

Motion's been made and seconded.

3:23

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

3:26

Aye.

3:27

Those opposed.

3:29

Thank you.

3:30

Minutes past five to zero with the two recusals.

3:34

Moving forward.

3:37

Nancy, would you read the policy resolutions into the minutes?

3:43

Thank you, President Dillon.

3:47

Twenty twenty-four R Zero one two.

3:51

Agreement with between DMD and Amtrak for an additional bus slip for a route from Indianapolis to Chicago.

3:59

Resolution twenty twenty-four R zero one five.

4:03

Metropolitan Development Commission authorizes DMD to enter into a contract with Raven Commercial Group LLC for property management services at Union Station for a not-to-exceed amount of seventy-two thousand dollars.

4:30

Council District Twelve, Center Township.

4:33

This ends the reading of the resolutions.

4:35

Thank you, Nancy.

4:36

These three resolutions do not stand for public hearing today.

4:41

I will take them as a whole.

4:43

Are there any questions from the members of the commission on those three resolutions?

4:48

So I will take twenty twenty-four R012, 2024 R015, 2024 E.

4:56

O two two.

4:57

Commissioner Blackburn, can I get a motion to approve?

5:01

Move to approve.

5:02

Commissioner Garver, can I get a second?

5:04

Second.

5:04

I'll call the roll.

5:05

Blackburn.

5:06

Blackburn, yes.

5:07

Garver.

5:08

Garver, yes.

5:09

James is not here.

5:11

Morerity.

5:12

Moyerity is a no on 2024 R015.

5:16

Moyardi is a yes on the remaining.

5:18

Thank you.

5:19

Nancy, do you have that?

5:22

Yes, sir.

5:23

Murphy.

5:25

Murphy, yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use███████████████████████████████31%
Procedural█████████████13%
Land Use Regulation██████████10%
Sign Regulation██████████10%
Parking Management███████7%
Community Engagement███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Public Engagement████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - July 17, 2024

The Metropolitan Development Commission of Indianapolis-Marion County met at 1:00 PM on July 17, 2024, in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The commission considered policy resolutions, numerous zoning petitions, and held public hearings on four major development proposals. Votes were taken on all agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved 5-0 (two recusals) from July 3, 2024.
  • Policy Resolutions (no public hearing):
    • 2024-R-012: Authorized DMD to license a bus slip to Amtrak at Union Station for the Chicago–Indianapolis Thruway route.
    • 2024-R-015: Authorized a one-year, $72,000 property management contract with Raven Commercial Group LLC for Union Station (passed 6-1, with Commissioner Moyerity voting no).
    • 2024-E-022: Amended the City Market Redevelopment Area to remove the Gold Building and adjacent parcels from the City Market North Allocation Area and create the Gold Building Allocation Area for tax increment financing.
  • Petitions of No Appeal (recommended for approval; all passed en masse with one exception):
    • 2024-MOD-007 (sign modification at 5080 E. 82nd St.)
    • 2024-ZON-029 (112.2-acre rezoning for single-family at Southport/McGregor Rd.)
    • 2024-ZON-044 (rezoning 2.96 acres for residential at 27th/Guilford/Winthrop)
    • 2024-ZON-065 (rezoning for residential at 132 N. Belmont Ave.)
    • 2024-ZON-067 (rezoning for residential at 1502 Dunlap Ave.)
    • 2024-ZON-068 (rezoning for residential at 2327 Dr. M.L. King Jr. St.)
    • 2024-CZN-823 / 2024-CAP-823 (park district approval for playground, trails, basketball court at 605 S. High School Rd.)
    • 2024-CZN-825 (rezoning for residential at 1641 Cornell Ave.)
    • 2024-REG-016B (Regional Center approval for a 12-story mixed-use building at 501 Indiana Ave.; passed 4-3, with Commissioners Blackburn, Garver, Schumacher voting no)
    • 2024-REG-028 (Regional Center approval for a two-story conference center at Eli Lilly, 639 S. Delaware St.; passed 6-0-1, Commissioner Moyerity recused)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Denita Hoskin (President, Crown Hill Neighborhood Association): Requested a continuance for Case 2024-ZON-042/2024-VAR-007, stating that proper notice and signage were not provided and that the neighborhood had not been informed of the hearing. She noted the community's interest in mixed-use, mixed-income development and expressed concerns about parking impacts from an impending two-way street conversion. David Kingan (petitioner’s attorney) opposed the continuance, citing a July 29 tax credit application deadline and noting multiple meetings with the association. Diana Burdics (petitioner) explained that the project would provide senior housing and had support from INHP and the Children’s Museum. The commission granted the continuance to August 7, 2024, on a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Moyerity dissenting.
  • Claudia Paul (supporter of Madam Walker Building): Opposed 2024-REG-016B, arguing the 12-story height and 323 parking spaces would overwhelm the historic Indiana Avenue corridor, which includes the only National Historic Landmark associated with Black heritage in downtown Indianapolis. She urged a smaller, less car-centric design.
  • Adam Gillette (Edgewater Civic Association): Spoke in support of 2024-ZON-026, noting a negotiated agreement with the petitioner that addressed neighborhood concerns about commercial creep, parking, and the use of nearby lots. He confirmed the association’s signing of a support letter.
  • Richard Askew (Southern Dunes HOA board member) and Charles Woodard (homeowner): Opposed 2024-ZON-014, specifically the inclusion of hotels and motels, particularly extended-stay hotels. They cited the area’s lack of corporate demand, proximity to an elementary school, and negative past experiences with the developer. The HOA’s official position was no hotels or motels of any type.
  • Matt Winston (President, Nora Northside Community Council): Expressed no objection to 2024-ZON-055, commending the petitioner’s extensive community engagement and willingness to adjust the plan based on feedback.

Discussion Items

  • 2024-MOD-010 (9433 Avant Ave.): Modification to reduce the minimum townhome lot width from 24 to 20 feet at a 38-unit townhome development. The petitioner (Brian Tuohy of BC Real Street Partners) noted the reduction from 44 to 38 units. Staff supported as a minor deviation. The Nora Community Council voted no objection. Approved 7-0 with a commitment for site maintenance.
  • 2024-ZON-026 (7405 & 7425 Westfield Blvd.): Rezoning 1.13 acres from D-4 to C-1 to legalize an existing mental health treatment facility and office use. The petitioner (Mike Lang) reached an agreement with the Edgewater Civic Association, including limiting uses, removing an unenclosed dumpster, and prohibiting parking on neighboring lots. Staff recommended approval with commitments for landscaping and a parking agreement. Approved 7-0.
  • 2024-ZON-014 (Wellingshire, Parcel 2 only; 18.73 acres): Rezoning of the remaining parcel (parcels 12 and 13 withdrawn) to revise permitted uses for commercial development near the new I-69 interchange. Controversy focused on two issues: (1) a proposed sign program with two 50-foot-tall signs (staff wanted 40-foot max), and (2) the inclusion of hotels/motels (neighborhood opposed extended-stay). After negotiation, the petitioner (Joe Calderon) committed to:
    • Prohibit extended-stay hotels and motels; define hotels as having a central control entrance.
    • Reduce sign height to 40 feet and aggregate square footage to 300 sq. ft.
    • Defer the sidewalk requirement along Southport Road to the Plat Committee, with a contribution to the sidewalk fund if waived. Staff supported after these revisions. Approved 7-0.
  • 2024-ZON-055 (1010 E. 86th St. & 8685/8699 Guilford Ave.): Rezoning 7.18 acres from D-2 and C-1 to D-P for a mixed-use development (Phase 1: 473 residential units, 15,000 sq. ft. commercial, parking garage; Phase 2: residential on Guilford parcels). The petitioner worked extensively with Nora Northside and other stakeholders, resulting in no remonstrance. Staff recommended approval with three commitments: final site plan/elevations subject to administrator approval, 50-foot half right-of-way dedication along E. 86th St., and site maintenance. Approved 7-0.
  • Continuances & Withdrawals:
    • 2024-MOD-005 (8316 Belfast Dr.) continued to August 7, 2024, for lack of commitments.
    • 2024-ZON-027 (1101 & 1117 S. Sherman Dr.) continued to August 21, 2024, for commitments.
    • 2024-ZON-064 (8155 Brookville Rd.) continued to August 7, 2024, for commitments.
    • 2024-ZON-012 (1170 Kentucky Ave.) – withdrawal acknowledged; petition had been approved by MDC on May 15, 2024, but withdrawn prior to City-County Council hearing.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Resolutions: 2024-R-012, 2024-R-015 (6-1), 2024-E-022.
  • Approved Petitions of No Appeal (consent calendar): All 11 petitions approved; 2024-REG-016B passed 4-3; 2024-REG-028 passed 6-0-1.
  • Approved Public Hearing Petitions:
    • 2024-MOD-010: 7-0.
    • 2024-ZON-026: 7-0 with commitments.
    • 2024-ZON-014: 7-0 with commitments (no extended-stay/motel, sign height reduced, sidewalk to Plat Committee).
    • 2024-ZON-055: 7-0 with three commitments.
  • Votes on Continuances:
    • 2024-ZON-042/2024-VAR-007: Continued to August 7, 2024 (6-1).
    • 2024-MOD-005: Continued to August 7, 2024 (7-0).
    • 2024-ZON-027: Continued to August 21, 2024 (7-0).
    • 2024-ZON-064: Continued to August 7, 2024 (7-0).
  • Withdrawal Acknowledged: 2024-ZON-012.
  • Next Meeting: August 7, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

I would appreciate it. Thank you, ma'am. That's okay. Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of July seventeenth, twenty twenty-four. Would everybody please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you very much. First, on our agenda are the adoptions of the minutes from July third of twenty twenty-four. Uh Commissioner Robinson. You have to recuse yourself. Megan, you'll have to recuse yourself as well. The minutes were delivered to members of the uh commission back on Thursday. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none, can I get a motion to approve? So move. So move. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Can I get a second, Bruce? Second. Thank you. Motion's been made and seconded. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Thank you. Minutes past five to zero with the two recusals. Moving forward. Nancy, would you read the policy resolutions into the minutes? Thank you, President Dillon. Twenty twenty-four R Zero one two. Agreement with between DMD and Amtrak for an additional bus slip for a route from Indianapolis to Chicago. Resolution twenty twenty-four R zero one five. Metropolitan Development Commission authorizes DMD to enter into a contract with Raven Commercial Group LLC for property management services at Union Station for a not-to-exceed amount of seventy-two thousand dollars. Council District Twelve, Center Township. This ends the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Nancy. These three resolutions do not stand for public hearing today. I will take them as a whole. Are there any questions from the members of the commission on those three resolutions? So I will take twenty twenty-four R012, 2024 R015, 2024 E. O two two. Commissioner Blackburn, can I get a motion to approve? Move to approve. Commissioner Garver, can I get a second? Second. I'll call the roll. Blackburn. Blackburn, yes. Garver.

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