OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting – February 18, 2026

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, February 18, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, February 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:18:54

Transcript — Verbatim
0:19

I don't think it's the same.

1:14

Coming in behind me, Shannon.

1:25

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

1:27

Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of February 18th, 2026.

1:34

Please join me and rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:00

Thank you.

2:00

Members of the Commission, you have received the minutes from the February fourth meeting last Thursday for your review.

2:18

Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes?

2:23

Hearing none.

2:27

Commissioner Garver, can I get a motion to approve?

2:30

So moved.

2:30

Thank you.

2:31

Commissioner Hergett, can I get a second?

2:33

Second.

2:34

Let me call the roll.

2:35

Garver.

2:36

Garver, yes.

2:38

Lyle.

2:38

Lyle, yes.

2:40

Murphy.

2:41

Murphy, yes.

2:42

Robinson.

2:43

Robinson, yes.

2:44

Schumacher.

2:45

Schumacher, yes.

2:46

West.

2:47

West, yes.

2:49

The minutes passed seven to zero to two recusals.

2:56

Moving forward.

2:56

We'll now go to special requests, withdrawals, continuance requests.

3:06

Mr.

3:07

Twe.

3:12

My office address is ninety-two ninety-four North Meridian.

3:16

Um Mr.

3:17

Dillon, we're here today on case number twenty twenty-six Z C Z N eight oh one and twenty twenty-six C VR eight oh one, which is on your second.

3:28

Where are they on the agenda, Mr.

3:29

Tue?

3:30

Yes.

3:30

You are on the second or third page of the agenda.

3:34

Um it's actually the third page.

3:38

And it's number sixteen.

3:46

Hodges Commons Limited Partnership is the petitioner.

3:50

It's a request to rezone about three acres in Pike Township.

3:54

And we would respectfully re do make two requests.

3:58

One, we would request uh to withdraw the variance that was originally requested for a uh green factor variance because the uh petitioner can comply with the green factor, so we would be withdraw that from consideration by the MDC.

4:15

The uh variance is so noted being withdrawn.

4:18

Thank you.

4:18

Next we are.

4:19

And then next we would greatly appreciate a waiver of the notice requirement in the amount of four days.

4:26

The reason being members of the commission is that in order for this uh development, which is an affordable housing development to uh get its funds uh to close and develop the property, uh they are at a deadline of uh March twenty-first, twenty twenty-six to close.

4:45

In order to make that deadline, uh we had to get before this body today to make that deadline.

4:52

The closing deadline is so they can receive tax credits.

4:55

Yes, sir.

5:00

Okay, and when do they have to be filed by please introduce yourself?

5:07

Uh Greg Mustrick, Woe to Cooper Companies.

5:10

Uh we are looking to close by uh March uh 21st.

5:14

That's our final deadline uh with IHCDA to close on the property.

5:20

And your credits have to be filed for they already filed for credits have been filed for, but you have to have it closed by the yeah, we have to yeah, this is a four percent deal.

5:29

That's my question.

5:29

Okay, got it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning and Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Procedural██████████████████████23%
Public Engagement████████9%
Homelessness████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Environmental Protection███3%
Public Transit█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Public Meeting – February 18, 2026

The Metropolitan Development Commission held a public meeting on February 18, 2026, to consider minutes, special requests, policy resolutions, non-appeal petitions, and three public hearings. The meeting began in the afternoon and concluded after the final vote. Commissioners voted on multiple zoning and variance petitions, with key decisions including approval of an affordable housing development in Pike Township, a rezoning for auto sales with commitments, and a permanent supportive housing project near Stringtown.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The minutes from the February 4, 2026 meeting were approved by a vote of 7 to 0 with 2 recusals.
  • Policy Resolutions: Four resolutions (2026 R006, 2026 R007, 2026 R008, and 2026 C002) were approved together. 2026 R006 authorizes property conveyance for the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit system; 2026 R007 authorizes $9,460 for structural assessments at the former Indiana Women’s Prison property; 2026 R008 authorizes property conveyance under the Vacant to Vibrant program; 2026 C002 authorizes a $1,326,121 agreement with Horizon House (now under Goodwill governance) for a 16-unit permanent supportive housing development using Indianapolis Housing Trust Fund dollars. The vote was 8 to 0 with one recusal (Commissioner Robinson recused on 2026 R006).
  • Petitions of No Appeal: Six zoning petitions recommended for approval (2025 APP 020, 2025 ZON 094, 2025 ZON 137, 2025 ZON 138, 2025 ZON 142, and 2025 CN 88) were approved 9 to 0.

Procedural Matters (Special Requests, Withdrawals, Continuances)

  • Waiver of Notice – Hodges Commons: A four-day waiver of the 23-day notification period for petitions 2026 CZN 801 and 2025 CVR 801 (3919 Moller Road) was granted 9 to 0. The petitioner needed to close by March 21, 2026 to secure tax credits.
  • Waiver of Waiting Period – Annex Group: A waiver of the three-month waiting period to refile a regional center petition for properties at 1400–1500 blocks of Astor and Salsey streets (following a December 2025 withdrawal) was granted 9 to 0. Staff supported the request.
  • Continuances:
    • 2025 ZON 112 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Langsdale) continued to March 18, 2026 (9-0).
    • 2025 ZON 140 (1802 Corner Avenue) continued to March 4, 2026 pending executed commitments (9-0).
    • 2025 CAP 854 (6340 Tech Commons Drive) continued to March 4, 2026 pending executed commitments (9-0).
  • Withdrawal: 2025 ZON 092 and 2025 VAR 011 (Lampert Street and West Morris Street) were withdrawn by the petitioner.

Public Hearings

1. 2025 ZON 126 – 3441 West Washington Street (Rezoning to C5)

  • Petitioner: Sue Sivan and Bara Tamayo sought to rezone 0.76 acres from I3-FF-TOD to C5-FF-TOD for general commercial uses (specifically auto sales and repair). No remonstrators appeared.
  • Staff Position: Staff recommended denial, arguing C5 allows intensive uses (nightclubs, liquor stores, outdoor storage) and noted the site lies within a floodway fringe near Eagle Creek. They suggested C3 (neighborhood commercial) instead.
  • Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Murphy asked about commitments to limit uses. The petitioner agreed on the record to two commitments: (1) the only permitted use would be auto sales and repair, and (2) a fence would be erected along the flood fringe boundary to prevent vehicle storage in that area. The district councilor (Councilor Evans) submitted a strong letter of opposition.
  • Vote: The petition passed 5 to 4 (5 yes, 4 no).

2. 2026 ZN 801 & CVR 801 – 3919 Moller Road (Affordable Housing and Variances)

  • Petitioner: Hodges Commons Limited Partnership (Woda Cooper Companies) requested rezoning 2.9 acres from MU1 and C4 to D10 for a 98-unit apartment building with accessory daycare, plus variances for floor area ratio (0.862 vs. 0.8 max) and livability space ratio (0.43 vs. 0.66 min). A green factor variance was withdrawn.
  • Project Details: Four-story building, $31 million investment, rents $1,010–$1,475, 116 parking spaces (81 required), amenities including fitness room and community room. Rents are affordable; tax credits require closing by March 21, 2026.
  • Staff Position: Staff recommended approval, noting consistency with the Lafayette Square neighborhood plan’s call for increased residential density. The petitioner agreed to dedicate 3.5 feet of right-of-way on Moller Road for a planned greenway.
  • Community Support: The Pike Township Resident Association voted unanimously to support; the International Marketplace Coalition also supported. No remonstrators. The petitioner committed to submit written support letters.
  • Vote: The rezoning and two variances were approved 9 to 0.

3. 2025 ZON 135 – 223 Venn Street (Permanent Supportive Housing)

  • Petitioner: Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana (for Horizon House) and Inglewood Community Development Corporation requested rezoning 1.76 acres from SU7 to DP for a mixed-use development: 16 units of permanent supportive housing in phase one, a community building, and potential future 32 units. The site is vacant, previously used by a construction/environmental company.
  • Remonstrator: Virginia G. (neighborhood resident) expressed strong opposition, citing concerns about increased crime, drugs, trash, rodents, and negative impacts on property values. She argued the development belongs on the outskirts, not in the heart of Stringtown near a high school.
  • Staff Position: Staff recommended approval despite the comprehensive plan calling for light industrial, noting the housing would support existing residential character and provide needed services.
  • Petitioner Rebuttal: Peter Malloy (Lords Pantry at Anna’s House) described the project as a continuation of community improvement efforts, with security and partnerships with IMPD. He noted they had addressed neighbors’ concerns in hallway conversations.
  • Vote: The petition passed 9 to 0. President Dillon asked the petitioner to speak further with the remonstrator after the meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote Tallies: All votes were 9-0 except the minutes (7-0-2), policy resolutions (8-0-1), and the 2025 ZON 126 rezoning (5-4).
  • Commitments Recorded: For 2025 ZON 126, the petitioner committed to restrict use to auto sales/repair and to install a fence along the flood fringe boundary.
  • Directives: The petitioner for 2026 ZN 801 was directed to provide written support letters from Pike Township Resident Association and International Marketplace Coalition for the record.
  • Next Steps: The continued petitions (2025 ZON 112, 2025 ZON 140, 2025 CAP 854) will return on March 18 or March 4, 2026. The approved projects will proceed with zoning and variance requirements; the Hodges Commons development must close by March 21, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

I don't think it's the same. Coming in behind me, Shannon. Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting of February 18th, 2026. Please join me and rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Members of the Commission, you have received the minutes from the February fourth meeting last Thursday for your review. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. Commissioner Garver, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Thank you. Commissioner Hergett, can I get a second? Second. Let me call the roll. Garver. Garver, yes. Lyle. Lyle, yes. Murphy. Murphy, yes. Robinson. Robinson, yes. Schumacher. Schumacher, yes. West. West, yes. The minutes passed seven to zero to two recusals. Moving forward. We'll now go to special requests, withdrawals, continuance requests. Mr. Twe. My office address is ninety-two ninety-four North Meridian. Um Mr. Dillon, we're here today on case number twenty twenty-six Z C Z N eight oh one and twenty twenty-six C VR eight oh one, which is on your second. Where are they on the agenda, Mr. Tue? Yes. You are on the second or third page of the agenda. Um it's actually the third page. And it's number sixteen. Hodges Commons Limited Partnership is the petitioner. It's a request to rezone about three acres in Pike Township. And we would respectfully re do make two requests. One, we would request uh to withdraw the variance that was originally requested for a uh green factor variance because the uh petitioner can comply with the green factor, so we would be withdraw that from consideration by the MDC. The uh variance is so noted being withdrawn. Thank you. Next we are. And then next we would greatly appreciate a waiver of the notice requirement in the amount of four days. The reason being members of the commission is that in order for this uh development, which is an affordable housing development to uh get its funds uh to close and develop the property, uh they are at a deadline of uh March twenty-first, twenty twenty-six to close.

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