Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – August 20, 2025

The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) met on August 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Public Assembly Room, City-County Building, Indianapolis. The meeting covered adoption of minutes, several policy resolutions, tax abatement public hearings, zoning petitions, and a major rezoning for a data center campus. Key decisions included approval of Roche Diagnostics tax abatements, approval of the Deep Meadow Ventures (Google) data center rezoning and variance, approval of a rezoning for the Universal Church of Truth's Life Village project, and denial of the corresponding variance for that project.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Minutes (August 6, 2025): Approved 7-0. Commissioners Morerity and Robinson recused themselves as they were not present.
• Policy Resolutions: Five resolutions were approved 9-0: 2025-R-031 (conveyance of property at 2240 Enterprise Park Place to Fields Mortuary Transport & Removal Services LLC for redevelopment), 2025-A-031 (preliminary ERA for Romet (US) Inc. – 5-year personal property tax abatement), 2025-A-032 (preliminary ERA for Deep Meadow Ventures LLC – 10-year real property tax abatement for data center), 2025-E-024 (authorizing payment of $157,471.50 to GP-CM BOT LLC for services), and 2025-P-010 (amending contract with Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative, LLC to extend term and revise scope).
• Petitions of No Appeal: Seven petitions (2025-APP-007, 2025-MOD-008, 2025-ZON-065, 2025-ZON-070, 2025-ZON-072, 2025-ZON-073, 2025-ZON-076) were approved 9-0. (Item 11, 2025-ZON-019, was withdrawn.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Roche Diagnostics Tax Abatement (2025-A-029): One public speaker, Spencer Andrews, opposed the 10-year real property tax abatement, arguing that large corporations like Roche should pay their fair share of property taxes and that abatements are a discredit to residential homeowners. He urged the commission to reconsider.
• Deep Meadow Ventures (Google) Data Center Rezoning (2025-CZN-814 / 2025-CVR-814): Extensive public testimony was heard. Remonstrator Julie Goldsbury (representing a group of 797 signatories in the 46239 zip code, 1,069 in surrounding zip codes, and 5,127 Indiana residents) opposed the project, citing concerns about building height (variance up to 75 feet), noise (65 dB limit), water usage (2-3 million gallons), potential contamination, lack of transparency (NDAs), and inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan. She noted that the project would create only 50 jobs while consuming vast resources. Several remonstrators also spoke. Councilor Hart (District 20) opposed the project, stating that the process was flawed, that the city should pursue higher-value developments, and that the abatements and tax benefits were insufficient. He highlighted that the 50 jobs and limited tax revenue do not justify the impact on infrastructure and schools. The Franklin Township Civic League submitted a letter of support, but remonstrators argued it was reluctant.
• Universal Church of Truth Life Village (2025-CZN-828 / 2025-CVR-828): Remonstrators Gladys Whitfield, Margaret McCarthy, and Jacqueline Richards opposed the project, stating they were not properly consulted, that the proposed density and reduced parking (38 spaces vs. 77 required) and reduced unit sizes (500 sq. ft. vs. 660) were inappropriate, and that the three-story apartment building would be out of character with the one-story single-family neighborhood. They also cited safety concerns from increased traffic and parking.

Discussion Items

• Roche Diagnostics Tax Abatements (2025-A-029 and 2025-A-030): Staff presented that Roche will invest $145 million in real property (A029) and $405 million in personal property (A030) at its 9115 Hague Road campus. The project is expected to create 650 new jobs (average wage $35/hr) and retain 2,634 existing jobs (average wage $42+/hr). 5% of tax savings will go to the Indy Achieves Completion Grant. The City-County Council approved the statement of benefits on August 11, 2025. Staff recommended approval. The commission approved both resolutions 9-0.
• Deep Meadow Ventures (Google) Data Center Rezoning and Variance: The petitioner, represented by Joe Calderon, requested rezoning of 467.66 acres from D-A, C-4, and SU-43 to C-S (Special Commercial) for a data center campus, plus a variance for building height of 75 feet (max normally 38 feet) and no maximum front yard setback. The project would include up to four buildings with a total investment of approximately $1.5 billion, creating 50 high-wage jobs (avg. $100,000+/yr). The petitioner highlighted 34 commitments (later 35) including a 150-foot landscape buffer, noise limit of 65 dB, 200-foot building setbacks, and coordination with AES and Citizens Energy for utilities. Staff recommended approval, noting that the Comprehensive Plan supports light industrial and office/industrial mixed use on the majority of the site. The Hearing Examiner had recommended approval, but an appeal was filed. The commission discussed traffic, noise, water, fire safety, and visual impact. After a 5-minute rebuttal, the commission voted 8-1 to approve the rezoning and 8-1 to approve the variance.
• Universal Church of Truth Life Village (Rezoning and Variance): The petitioner proposed rezoning 1.02 acres from D-5 and SU-1 to D-8 for a 42-unit permanent supportive housing community for low-income homeless seniors. The project included a three-story apartment building, duplexes, triplexes, and a community center. Variances sought were for use (apartment in SU-1), reduced parking (38 vs. 77), reduced unit size (500 vs. 660 sq. ft.), and reduced open space. Staff recommended denial, citing incompatibility with the surrounding one-story single-family homes, overdevelopment, and lack of connection between scattered sites. The remonstrators argued they were not consulted, and the project would harm neighborhood character. The commission approved the rezoning 6-3 but denied the variance 4-5, creating a procedural impasse.

Key Outcomes

• 2025-A-029 (Roche Real Property Tax Abatement): Approved 9-0.
• 2025-A-030 (Roche Personal Property Tax Abatement): Approved 9-0.
• 2025-CZN-814 (Deep Meadow Ventures Rezoning): Approved 8-1.
• 2025-CVR-814 (Deep Meadow Ventures Variance): Approved 8-1.
• 2025-CZN-828 (Universal Church of Truth Rezoning): Approved 6-3.
• 2025-CVR-828 (Universal Church of Truth Variance): Denied 4-5.
• Continuances: 2025-ZON-046 (Pulte Group) continued to September 3, 2025; 2025-A-028 (Thunderbird CC Land Partners) continued to September 3, 2025.
• Next Steps: The commission encouraged the Universal Church of Truth petitioners to work with remonstrators to resolve the variance issues. The staff will determine the implications of the mixed vote.