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Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Public Hearing - June 18, 2025

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, June 18, 2025
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, June 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:19

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

0:22

Welcome to the June 18th, 2025 Metropolitan Development Commission Public Hearing.

0:29

Would all rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:52

Thank you.

0:53

Members of the Commission, you received the minutes from the June 4th meeting last week.

1:02

You've had an opportunity to review those.

1:05

Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes?

1:10

Hearing none.

1:11

I'll accept the emotion to approve.

1:15

Thank you.

1:15

I have a second.

1:18

Thank you.

1:19

Commissioner Murphy, you're recused from the vote for not being at the meeting.

1:24

Let me call the roll.

1:25

Garver.

1:26

Garver, yes.

1:27

Hergett.

1:28

Hergett, yes.

1:29

Lyle.

1:30

Lyle, yes.

1:30

More erity.

1:31

Moreity, yes.

1:32

Robinson.

1:33

Robinson, yes.

1:34

West.

1:35

West, yes.

1:35

Schumacher.

1:36

Schumacher, yes.

1:37

Dylan is a yes.

1:39

They pass 8 to 0.

1:42

Moving forward.

1:44

Are there any special requests?

1:47

Continuances or withdrawals.

1:54

Please introduce yourself and your address, sir.

1:58

Good afternoon.

1:58

My name is Kevin Buckheight.

2:00

I'm a planner with the law firm Craig DeVault at 1 Indiana Square, suite 2800 here in Indianapolis here today for item number 11 of zoning petitions and no appeal.

2:12

2025 Z O N 019, 1404 Prospect Street to request a continuance to the July 16 agenda.

2:22

We have uh some matters that are unrelated to the land use matters before you today that need to catch up a little bit.

2:28

So we need to finalize those before we finalize the zoning on this.

2:32

So we're requesting again continuance to July 16.

2:36

Thank you.

2:37

Is there anybody else here today who would like to comment on this request for continuance?

2:42

Is there anyone in the commission that has questions?

2:46

Staff comments.

2:48

Uh thank you, President Dylan.

2:50

Staff would have no objection to the continuance of 2025 ZON 019 to your July 16th hearing.

2:56

And that would be without notice.

2:59

Thank you, Kathleen.

3:00

Commissioner Garber, can I get a motion to move 2025 ZON 019 and have it continue until the July 16th meeting?

3:12

So moved.

3:13

Thank you.

3:13

Commissioner Hergett, can I get a second?

3:15

Second.

3:15

Let me call the roll.

3:16

Garver.

3:17

Garver, yes.

3:18

Hergett.

3:20

Lyle.

3:20

Lyle, yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████33%
Zoning and Land Use██████████████████████████26%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Social Services████████8%
Real Estate██2%
Tourism Management█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Public Hearing - June 18, 2025

The Metropolitan Development Commission held a public hearing on June 18, 2025, to consider minutes approval, multiple continuances and transfers, seven policy resolutions, three economic revitalization area resolutions, a no-appeals docket, and a public hearing on a rezoning petition. All votes passed with near-unanimous support, with most items receiving 9-0 approval. Several items were continued to July 2025 meetings, and one rezoning petition for a transitional housing program was approved.

Minutes Approval

  • The minutes from the June 4, 2025 meeting were approved by a vote of 8-0 (Commissioner Murphy recused for not being present).

Continuances and Special Requests

  • Item No. 11 (2025 ZON 019): A continuance to July 16, 2025 was requested by petitioner Kevin Buckheight (Craig DeVault) to finalize unrelated matters. Staff had no objection. Approved 9-0.
  • Item No. 17 (2024 CVR 855 A&B): Petitioner Paul Lamby requested withdrawal of the appeal (Part A) to let the hearing examiner's approval of a front setback variance stand, and a continuance of Part B (denied by the hearing examiner) to July 2, 2025 for further neighbor engagement. Staff supported. Approved 9-0.
  • Item No. 19 (2025 ZON 037): Petitioner Misha Rabinowich requested a continuance to July 2, 2025 to address additional staff feedback. Staff had no objection. Approved 9-0.
  • Item No. 18 (2025 CPL 805, 805D, 805C): Staff requested transfer of these petitions back to the hearing examiner for the July 10, 2025 hearing. No objections. Approved 9-0.
  • Item No. 16 (2025 MOD 004 amended): Staff requested this be sent back to the hearing examiner for a rehearing on July 10, 2025, because the petitioner's representative appealed a commitment after approval. Approved 9-0.

Policy Resolutions (Non-Hearing)

  • Seven resolutions were approved as a whole by a 9-0 vote: 2025 R025 (development agreement for 3060 N. Meridian St.), 2025 E013 (amendment for Lafayette Square Area Coalition), 2025 E016 (Airport TIF improvements), 2025 E017 (United Northwest Area TIF improvements), 2025 E018 (Hardy Street TIF improvements), 2025 E019 (interlocal agreement with MSD Wayne Township for technical training), and 2025 BB001 (reimbursement to Bomb Bank for prior expenditures, not to exceed $3,500).

Public Hearings on Economic Revitalization Area Resolutions

  • 2025 A020 (George's Concrete Pumping Services): Final ERA resolution for a $5.6 million real property investment at 1549 Churchman Ave. The company will retain 48 jobs ($22/hr) and create 49 new jobs ($22/hr), with 5% of savings allocated to Indy Achieves. Staff recommended a six-year real property tax abatement. Approved 9-0.
  • 2025 A022 (Holiday Property Services Midwest): Final ERA resolution for a $40 million redevelopment of the historic Circle Tower (55 Monument Circle) into an AC Marriott hotel with a rooftop terrace. The company will make an annual $50,000 donation to the Monument Circle Public Space Initiative for the abatement term. Staff recommended a 10-year real property tax abatement. Approved 9-0.
  • 2025 A023 (Kimball Electronics Indianapolis): Final ERA resolution for a $22.4 million real property and $34.1 million personal property investment at 1220 S. Post Road. Kimball will retain 165 employees ($32/hr avg.) and create 345 new jobs ($29/hr avg.). Staff recommended a six-year personal property tax abatement. Approved 9-0.

No-Appeals Docket

  • Approved (9-0): 2025 ZON 032, 2025 ZON 045, 2025 CZN 811 amended, 2025 MOD 007 (with addendum), 2025 CZN 819 amended (with addendum), 2025 CZN 821 (with addendum).
  • Denied (9-0): 2024 ZON 125 amended (at 4460 & 4498 N. Keystone Ave.) – the commission upheld the hearing examiner's recommendation for denial.

Public Hearing on Rezoning Petition

  • 2025 ZON 044 (Volunteers of America, Ohio and Indiana): Petition to rezone 4.44 acres at 6130 Michigan Road from D2 to DP for a residential recovery program for women and children. The project includes rehab of a vacant former nursing home (approx. 28,000 sq. ft.) with an investment of about $4 million, addition of 11 modular units, a playground, gardens, and community space. Capacity: up to 65 women and children. Services include substance abuse recovery, parenting skills, life skills training, and employment support. No remonstrators appeared. Staff recommended approval. Approved 9-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes on continuances, transfers, and resolutions passed 9-0 except the minutes approval (8-0).
  • The commission approved three tax abatement packages totaling over $100 million in private investment.
  • The 2024 ZON 125 petition was formally denied, upholding the hearing examiner's recommendation.
  • The rezoning for Volunteers of America's transitional housing program was approved, allowing adaptive reuse of a long-vacant building.
  • The commission also discussed the Drake Apartments redevelopment (not on the formal agenda) and expressed support, with a request for updates as the project progresses.

Meeting Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the June 18th, 2025 Metropolitan Development Commission Public Hearing. Would all rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. Members of the Commission, you received the minutes from the June 4th meeting last week. You've had an opportunity to review those. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. I'll accept the emotion to approve. Thank you. I have a second. Thank you. Commissioner Murphy, you're recused from the vote for not being at the meeting. Let me call the roll. Garver. Garver, yes. Hergett. Hergett, yes. Lyle. Lyle, yes. More erity. Moreity, yes. Robinson. Robinson, yes. West. West, yes. Schumacher. Schumacher, yes. Dylan is a yes. They pass 8 to 0. Moving forward. Are there any special requests? Continuances or withdrawals. Please introduce yourself and your address, sir. Good afternoon. My name is Kevin Buckheight. I'm a planner with the law firm Craig DeVault at 1 Indiana Square, suite 2800 here in Indianapolis here today for item number 11 of zoning petitions and no appeal. 2025 Z O N 019, 1404 Prospect Street to request a continuance to the July 16 agenda. We have uh some matters that are unrelated to the land use matters before you today that need to catch up a little bit. So we need to finalize those before we finalize the zoning on this. So we're requesting again continuance to July 16. Thank you. Is there anybody else here today who would like to comment on this request for continuance? Is there anyone in the commission that has questions? Staff comments. Uh thank you, President Dylan. Staff would have no objection to the continuance of 2025 ZON 019 to your July 16th hearing. And that would be without notice. Thank you, Kathleen. Commissioner Garber, can I get a motion to move 2025 ZON 019 and have it continue until the July 16th meeting?

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