Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - October 23, 2024

The Metropolitan Development Commission of Indianapolis-Marion County met on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting was called to order by President Dillon, with a quorum present after Commissioner Schumacher's arrival. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chris Stormer of George's Concrete Pumping Services. The commission acted on a consent calendar, held a public hearing on a confirmatory resolution for the City Market redevelopment, and conducted an initial hearing on a comprehensive sign ordinance amendment. Several items were continued to the November 6, 2024 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the October 2, 2024 meeting minutes (moved by Commissioner Garber, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, unanimous).
• Eleven policy resolutions not set for public hearing were approved as a single block (moved by Commissioner Dillon, seconded by Commissioner Schumacher, passed 5-0):
  • 2024-R-026 (pledge of tax increment for Gold Building)
  • 2024-R-027 (funding agreement for Gershman Partners Gold Building project)
  • 2024-A-032 (preliminary ERA for George's Concrete Pumping Services, 6-year real property tax abatement)
  • 2024-A-033 (preliminary ERA for Peregrine Energy Solutions LLC, 5-year personal property tax abatement)
  • 2024-E-031 (add $683,201.23 to Butler, Fairman & Seufert contract for Union Station Bridge Rehabilitation)
  • 2024-E-032 (accept $15,000,000 Lilly Endowment grant for Cultural Trail expansion and Henry Street bridge improvements)
  • 2024-E-033 ($800,000 expenditure for flood control work from White River-North FCID Area Fund)
  • 2024-E-034 (authorize contract with Taft Stettinius & Hollister for legal services)
  • 2024-E-035 (authorize contract with Frost Brown Todd LLP for legal services)
  • 2024-C-004 (appoint Robert Hawthorne to Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee, term ending October 16, 2028)
  • 2024-C-005 (appoint Lydia Watson to Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee, term ending October 16, 2028)

Public Hearings & Testimony

2024-R-025 – City Market Redevelopment Project Area (Gold Building)

• Staff presentation: Megan Vukasic, DMD Director, described a public-private partnership with Gershman Partners. Phase one repurposes the vacant Gold Building into residential apartments, coordinated with the renovated market house and West Plaza improvements. Design and permitting are progressing; this financial closing is the final step toward groundbreaking.
• No public testimony was offered.
• Vote: Motion to approve by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Garver. Passed 4-0-1 (President Dillon recused).

2024-AO-002 – Ordinance Amendment on Sign Maintenance and Outdoor Advertising

• Staff presentation: Shannon Norman, Principal Planner, outlined proposed amendments to Chapter 744 of the Indianapolis Zoning Ordinance. Key no-compromise areas: no new outdoor advertising signs inside I-465; permits required; 300-foot separation from protected districts (schools, churches, residences, parks); no signage on buildings; no regulatory shot clock. Compromise areas: allowing relocation of legally nonconforming signs on the same property; increasing maximum height from 40 to 60 feet; decreasing separation on interstate; reducing setback from 60 to 50 feet; allowing digital price packs (fuel pricing displays) on freeways/expressways only, limited to 10% of billboard area and changeable three times per day. Timeline: MDC hearing in October, City Council introduction in November, final resolution by December 2024.
• Public testimony in support:
  • Tom O'Beal read a letter from Pat Andrews (chair of land use committee, Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations) supporting the compromise as a balance protecting neighborhoods.
  • Marjorie Kinley (past president of HUNY) expressed reluctant support due to General Assembly pressure to compromise, noting the multi-year task force effort that produced the 2019 ordinance.
  • Susan Blair (president of Pike Township Residence Association, 22-year incumbent) voiced support, recognizing Shannon Norman's work on the reasonable compromise.
• No opponents spoke.
• Vote: Motion to approve by President Dillon, seconded by Commissioner Murphy. Passed 5-0. The amendment will advance to the City-County Council.

Discussion Items

• 2024-A-034 – Continuance Request: Sherry Orr requested that Final ERA for Holiday Property Services Midwest (130 E. Washington Street) be continued to November 6, 2024, because staff is still finalizing details. No objections. Motion by Commissioner Garver, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, passed 5-0.
• 2024-MOD-009 – Continuance on 7710 Johnson Road: Staff noted petitioner failed to submit required commitments. Commissioner Garver moved to continue to November 6, 2024, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, passed 5-0.
• 2024-ZON-104 – Continuance on 922 North College Avenue: President Dillon expressed concerns about inadequate setbacks after walking the property. Planner Eddie confirmed the proposed building would meet minimum front setbacks (10 feet for building, 5 feet for porch) and is compliant by right. Dillon requested continuance to further discuss with staff and neighbors perceived to be unhappy. Motion by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, passed 5-0. Continued to November 6, 2024.
• Petitions of No Appeal (remaining three): 2024-APP-016 (5363 East 41st Street – park improvements), 2024-CAP-831 (8550/8556 Broad Street – lot width and setback modifications), and 2024-REG-046 (238/240 South Pennsylvania Street – three-story entertainment venue) were approved as a group. Motion by Commissioner Schumacher, seconded by Commissioner Robinson, passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of October 2, 2024.
• Approved 11 policy resolutions as a consent block (unanimous).
• Approved 2024-R-025 (City Market/Gold Building confirmatory resolution) with one recusal (4-0-1).
• Continued 2024-A-034, 2024-MOD-009, and 2024-ZON-104 to November 6, 2024.
• Approved 2024-AO-002 (sign ordinance amendment) unanimously to move to City-County Council.
• Approved three petitions of no appeal: 2024-APP-016, 2024-CAP-831, 2024-REG-046.
• Next meeting scheduled for November 6, 2024 (regular schedule).