Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - August 7, 2024
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Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - August 7, 2024
The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) met on August 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM under Acting President Garver, with seven commissioners present. The meeting covered policy resolutions, continuances, appeals, and several zoning and plat petitions. Key actions included approval of three policy resolutions, denial of a late appeal, approval of a senior housing development over neighborhood opposition, approval of a pool amenity modification, and approval of a subdivision plat with a sidewalk waiver and contribution requirement.
Consent Calendar
- Policy Resolutions (2024 R016, 2024 C002, 2024 C003): Unanimously approved (7-0). These authorize conveyance of city-owned properties for affordable housing, funding for emergency homeowner repair services ($150,000 and $100,000 from the Indianapolis Housing Trust Fund).
- Petitions of No Appeals – Recommended for Approval: Eight zoning petitions (2024 MOD 005, MOD 006; 2024 ZON 060, 064, 069; 2024 CAP 822; 2024 CZN 827; 2024 CAP 827) were approved as a group (7-0).
- Petition Recommended for Denial (2024 ZON 057): The commission followed staff recommendation and voted to deny the petition (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Senior Housing at 34th and Illinois (2024 ZON 042, 2024 VAR 007): Danita Hoskin, President of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association and a 72-year resident, testified in opposition. She argued the developer did not engage the neighborhood adequately, and the community desired mixed-use development with commercial space, job creation, and food access. She stated the 1.12-acre site was the largest parcel in the corridor and would set a precedent. The petitioner (David Kingan, Diana Burdics) responded that the site is too small for a grocery store and that a separate grocery project is planned for 38th and Illinois.
- Northwest Business Center Plat (2024 PLT 034): No remonstrators appeared.
Discussion Items
- Continuance of 2024 A 026 (Tax Abatement Termination): Staff requested a two-week continuance to August 21, 2024, for further evaluation. Approved (7-0).
- Appeal Waiver Request for 2024 ZON 057: Petitioner Oluashion Famous requested a waiver of the filing deadline for an appeal of a denial. Staff opposed, noting the petition was heard on July 11 and the appeal deadline was July 18; the request was filed August 5. The commission denied the waiver (7-0), so the appeal could not be heard.
- Senior Housing Development (2024 ZON 042 & VAR 007): Petitioner proposed a 101-unit senior (55+) affordable housing project at 3404-3444 N. Illinois St., with project-based vouchers and 9% LIHTC. Staff recommended approval after revised plans increased open space and reduced parking. The commission approved both petitions (7-0).
- Winding Ridge Pool Amenity (2024 MOD 014): Petitioner sought to modify a 1996 development plan to add a pool, playground, and picnic area on a 1.3-acre vacant lot within the 857-acre Winding Ridge community. No remonstrators. Staff supported. Approved (7-0).
- Northwest Business Center Plat (2024 PLT 034): Petitioner sought a subdivision plat for six lots (46.9 acres) with waivers of sidewalk requirements along 84th St., Bering Dr., and 86th St. Staff recommended approval of waivers for the first two streets due to significant landscaping, but denial of the 86th St. waiver due to safety and city policies. After debate, the commission voted to approve the 86th St. waiver (6-1, Commissioner Schumacher dissenting) and then voted to require a contribution to the sidewalk fund (84 dollars per linear foot, estimated $92,400) (7-0). Finally, the plat was approved with amended conditions (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- Policy Resolutions: Three resolutions approved (7-0).
- Continuance: 2024 A 026 continued to August 21, 2024 (7-0).
- Appeal Waiver: Denied (7-0).
- Petitions of No Appeals: Eight approved (7-0); one denied per staff recommendation (7-0).
- Senior Housing: 2024 ZON 042 and VAR 007 approved (7-0).
- Winding Ridge Pool Modification: 2024 MOD 014 approved (7-0).
- Northwest Business Center Plat: Sidewalk waiver for 86th St. approved (6-1); contribution to sidewalk fund required (7-0); plat approved as amended (7-0).
Meeting Transcript
I mustn't want to tell you how to do that. Oh, yeah. Started that we call it so much. Yes, it does. No, I have to think that we are. No, you can be better at that. It's okay. The August 7th, 2024 meeting where the Metropolitan Development Commission will now come to order. As Vice President of the MDC, I will be overseeing this meeting in President Dylan's absence, and um Commissioner James is going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, so please stand. Do any of the commissioners have any questions, comments, or changes to the minutes? I move their adoption. Oh, thank you. Can I get a second? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. I have to review myself now. Okay. I have to recuse myself. I was not at the meeting. Great. Uh the minutes have been approved. We will now move to the policy resolutions portion of the meeting and have the reading of the resolutions. There are four policy resolutions on our agenda today. One is set for public hearing. Nancy, can you please read the resolutions into the record? Thank you. Uh Madam Acting President. Twenty twenty-four R 016 authorizes DMD to convey city owned properties to Southeast Neighborhood Development Incorporated. Incorporation for development as single family affordable housing in conjunction with community investments home grant funding. Resolution authorizing a hearing regarding termination of the real property tax abatement associated with economic revitalization area resolution 2015 A015 2015 for Exploration Center 1 LLC and Republic Airways Holdings Incorporated located at 5303 Stanley Road aka 5151 Exploration Drive Council District 21 Decatur Township. Resolution 2024 C002 authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to enter into an agreement with Southeast Neighborhood Development send to fund emergency homeowner repair services and an amount not to exceed 150,000 dollars from the Indianapolis Housing Trust Fund. 2024 C003 authorizes the Department of Metropolitan Development to fund emergency homeowner repair services on an as-needed basis in an amount not to exceed 100,000 dollars from the Indianapolis Housing Trust Fund. This ends the reading of the resolution. Thank you. Do any commissioners have any questions regarding these resolutions? We are going to hear the three um policy resolutions that are not set for public hearing and we'll call for a vote. Those are 2024 R016, 2024 C 002, and 2024 C 003. Can I get a motion made by Commissioner Blackburn? So and can I get a second made by Commissioner Moriarty? Second. Point of order? Oh, yes. I had thought that uh 2024 six was going to be continued. Uh we're gonna do that next because that's for public policy. Or that's for a public hearing, so that's what we'll do next. Okay, thanks. Um now I'll call for the vote. Blackburn.
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