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Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - February 5, 2025

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, February 5, 2025
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, February 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:18

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

1:20

Welcome to the February 5th, 2025 Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting.

1:27

Please rise and join me with Pledge of Allegiance.

1:49

Thank you.

1:50

We do have a quorum and we will move forward.

1:54

Members of the Commission, you received the minutes of January 15, 2025 last week.

2:01

Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes?

2:07

Hearing none.

2:08

Can I get a motion to approve?

2:12

Thank you.

2:14

Second.

2:14

Thank you.

2:15

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:17

Aye.

2:18

Those opposed.

2:23

Yes.

2:27

Nancy, Commissioner Morti was not here.

2:30

Please show him recused on that vote.

2:33

I appreciate it.

2:34

Moving forward.

2:37

Madam Secretary, would you read the resolutions into the record?

2:44

Thank you, President Dillon.

2:47

Twenty twenty-five R zero zero nine authorizes DMD to promptly convey title to certain property on Columbia Avenue and Yandee Street for redevelopment to promote the use of land in the manner that best serves the interests of the city and its inhabitants.

5:24

This is the reading of the resolutions.

5:26

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

5:28

None of these uh resolutions are set for public hearing.

5:32

I'd like to take all eight at once if we can.

5:36

Uh Commissioner Garver, can I get a pro a motion to approve all eight of the resolutions that have been read into the record?

5:43

So moved.

5:44

Thank you.

5:44

Commissioner James, can I get a second?

5:46

Second.

5:47

Let me call the roll.

5:48

Garber.

5:50

Garver, yes.

5:51

James.

5:51

James, yes.

5:52

Lyle.

5:53

Lyle, yes.

5:54

Morerity.

5:55

Mority, yes.

5:56

Murphy.

5:56

Murphy, yes.

5:57

Schumacher.

5:58

Schumacher, yes.

5:59

Dylan is a yes.

6:01

Madam Secretary showed me recuse on the second agendum item, 2025 R010, and on 2025 E004.

6:12

The eight resolutions pass.

6:17

7 to 0 with the exception of agenda item 2 and 8, which pass 6 to 0 with two recusals.

6:25

One accusal recusal each.

6:29

Thank you.

6:30

Are there any continuations, withdrawals?

6:35

Special request.

6:47

Kathleen.

6:49

Mr.

6:49

Wilson, come forward.

6:58

Please introduce yourself.

7:03

Okay.

7:03

My name is David Wilson.

7:06

I represent Midhoffer Properties, located at 10026 East 21st Street in Indianapolis.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use████████████████████████████████████████40%
Community Engagement██████████████████████22%
Religious Exemption█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting - February 5, 2025

The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) held a public meeting on February 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The commission approved a consent calendar, handled continuances, voted on a fee transfer request, approved a no-appeals packet of 14 items, and conducted a public hearing on a special exception and plat for a church at 6650 South Meridian Street. The special exception was denied, but the plat was approved.

Consent Calendar

  • Eight resolutions (2025 R009 through 2025 R016) were approved unanimously (7-0), with Commissioner Morti recused on agenda item 2 (2025 R010) and item 8 (2025 E004), which passed 6-0 with two recusals.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Remonstrators (neighbors): Molly McCoy, Eric McCoy, and Rob Thomas, representing residents of the surrounding area, spoke in opposition to the special exception for the Chin United Pentecostal Church. They cited concerns about flooding, well water contamination, light and noise pollution, traffic, property values, and the lack of detailed site plans. They requested that the special exception be withheld until commitments are made and proposed six additional commitments.
  • Petitioner: Caitlin Gray (owner) and Sarah Thacker (realtor/representative) spoke in favor of the special exception. They explained that the church plans to build a house of worship on the 9-acre lot, with a focus on family and youth, and that they are willing to comply with city requirements. They noted the property was on the market for 200 days and that the church has 275 members (about 70 families), not 300 cars.

Discussion Items

  • Transfer of Fees Request: David Wilson (Midhoffer Properties) requested to transfer fees from a withdrawn rezoning petition to a new variance of use petition. Staff opposed, citing different processes and the need to start from scratch. The commission voted 7-0 to deny the request.
  • Continuances:
    • Item 17 (2024 ZON 030, 1362 and 1368 North Only Street) was continued to February 19, 2025, pending corrected commitments (7-0).
    • Item 26 (2024 ZON 115, 6600 and 6900 Hickory Road) was acknowledged as automatically continued to March 5, 2025, due to a neighborhood organization filing.
  • No Appeals Packet: 14 petitions (including 2024 APP 024-029, 2024 MOD 021, 2024 MOD 024, 2024 ZON 080, 2024 ZON 134, 2024 ZON 142, 2024 CZN 846, 2024 CZN 849, 2024 REG 075) were approved unanimously (7-0) after a brief explanation by Brian Tuey on 2024 ZON 134 (conversion of a Marriott hotel to market-rate apartments).
  • Public Hearing – Special Exception and Plat for 6650 South Meridian Street:
    • The petitioner sought a special exception (variance of use) for religious purposes on lot one of a proposed two-lot subdivision, and a plat to divide 14.68 acres into two lots. The property is zoned DA (low-density residential). The church (Chin United Pentecostal Church) currently has about 275 members and plans to build a new facility. They agreed to commitments: submit final site plan, landscaping plan, photometric plan, and elevations for administrator approval; conduct a heritage tree study; and maintain the property. The remonstrators proposed six additional commitments, including notification to neighbors, limiting future religious exceptions, prohibiting sports fields, and installing a berm or fence. Staff supported the use but acknowledged neighbor concerns. The commission voted on the special exception with additional commitments (remonstrator requests 1 and 6, plus staff’s three commitments). The vote was 5-2 against, denying the special exception.
    • The plat (2024 CPL 834) was then considered separately. The commission approved it 6-1, subject to 12 conditions in the staff report, noting that the second lot had already been conveyed to another church (Faith Assembly of God) and that a plat was required to create legally separate lots.

Key Outcomes

  • Transfer of Fees: Denied (7-0).
  • Continuances: Item 17 continued to February 19, 2025 (7-0); item 26 acknowledged as continued to March 5, 2025.
  • No Appeals Packet: Approved (7-0).
  • Special Exception (2024 CVR 834, Third Amendment): Denied (5-2).
  • Plat (2024 CPL 834, amended): Approved (6-1).
  • Next Steps: The petitioner may withdraw the plat request or proceed; the special exception denial means the church cannot use the property for religious purposes without a new application. The remonstrators’ requests for additional commitments were not adopted due to the denial.

Meeting Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the February 5th, 2025 Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting. Please rise and join me with Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. We do have a quorum and we will move forward. Members of the Commission, you received the minutes of January 15, 2025 last week. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. Can I get a motion to approve? Thank you. Second. Thank you. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Yes. Nancy, Commissioner Morti was not here. Please show him recused on that vote. I appreciate it. Moving forward. Madam Secretary, would you read the resolutions into the record? Thank you, President Dillon. Twenty twenty-five R zero zero nine authorizes DMD to promptly convey title to certain property on Columbia Avenue and Yandee Street for redevelopment to promote the use of land in the manner that best serves the interests of the city and its inhabitants. This is the reading of the resolutions. Thank you, Madam Secretary. None of these uh resolutions are set for public hearing. I'd like to take all eight at once if we can. Uh Commissioner Garver, can I get a pro a motion to approve all eight of the resolutions that have been read into the record? So moved. Thank you. Commissioner James, can I get a second? Second. Let me call the roll. Garber. Garver, yes. James. James, yes. Lyle. Lyle, yes. Morerity. Mority, yes. Murphy. Murphy, yes. Schumacher. Schumacher, yes. Dylan is a yes. Madam Secretary showed me recuse on the second agendum item, 2025 R010, and on 2025 E004. The eight resolutions pass. 7 to 0 with the exception of agenda item 2 and 8, which pass 6 to 0 with two recusals. One accusal recusal each.

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