Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting April 1, 2026 – Data Center and Zoning Decisions

The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) of Indianapolis met on April 1, 2026, to address continuances, resolutions, petitions of no appeal, and three public hearings. The most significant item was a contested rezoning and variance request for a data center in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood, which passed 6-2 after extensive testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved 7-0 with one recusal (Commissioner Morerdi recused himself).
• Continuances:
  • 2025 MOD 026 (4201 Muller Road) continued to April 15, 2026 – approved 8-0.
  • 2025 ZON 110 (10302 East 38th Street) continued to April 15, 2026 – approved 8-0.
  • 2025 ZON 084 (4001 South Keystone Avenue) continued to May 6, 2026 – approved 8-0.
  • 2025 MOD 024 and 2025 ZON 132 (Jade Investments, 13 and 15 on agenda) continued to May 6, 2026, with a warning that if not ready they would be withdrawn – approved 6-2.
• Policy Resolutions: Three resolutions (2026 R010, 2026 R011, and 2026 P003) were approved without public hearing. Commissioner Murphy recused on 2026 R011. The package passed 7-0 (R011) and 8-0 for the others.
• Petitions of No Appeal: Six petitions (2026 APP 001, 2026 ZON 008, 009, 010, 011, and 2026 CZN 804) were approved 8-0.

Public Hearings (Discussion Items)

1. Tax Abatement Amendment (2026 A007)

• Proposal: Extension of the investment period to December 31, 2029, for a 270-unit multifamily development (15% affordable at 70% AMI) at 412 West McCarty Street. The dollar value and jobs remained unchanged.
• Speakers: Letitia Ramsey (staff) presented; no public testimony.
• Outcome: Approved 8-0.

2. MetroBlocks Data Center (2025 ZON 124 and 2025 VAR 012)

• Proposal: Rezoning 13.68 acres at 2505 North Sherman Drive from I2 (light industrial) to CS (commercial services) and variances for building height (70 ft, allowing a 50-ft roof plus 20 ft of screening/parapet), no maximum front yard setback, and reduced parking (60 spaces). The petitioner, MetroBlocks LLC, proposed a small-scale, multi-tenant data center with a $500 million investment, closed-loop water system, 36 diesel generators, and a $2.5 million community benefit pledge (later increased to $20 million over 10 years via tax abatement negotiations).
• Petitioner Testimony (Tyler Oaks, Ernest Popescu, Brad Sugarman, Doug Brown for IEDI):
  • The property has been vacant for 43 years; the use is light industrial and consistent with the comprehensive plan and industrial reserve overlay.
  • Benefits include revitalization, infrastructure upgrades (fiber, electrical), $10-11 million annual tax revenue (before abatement), 300 construction jobs with local unions, and a $20 million community benefit pledged through tax abatement.
  • Noise will comply with county ordinances; environmental concerns will be addressed via a soil management plan and IDEM permits.
• Remonstrator Testimony (Sierra Johnson, Vernon Compton, Emmanuel Ivey, Rev. Fitzhugh Lyons, Rev. Annette Jones, Evelyn Keaton, Paula Brooks, Councillor Jesse Brown, Rep. Gregory Porter, and other residents):
  • Sierra Johnson (One Voice Martindale Brightwood): Expressed formal opposition, citing the city-certified Quality of Life Plan, over 500 letters of opposition, and lack of resident support. Argued the petitioner has not met the legal burden for rezoning.
  • Vernon Compton: Noted missing maps in the staff report regarding noise penetration and requested denial due to lack of transparency.
  • Rev. Fitzhugh Lyons: Called the $2.5 million pledge “pennies” compared to the $500 million investment, emphasized environmental justice, and quoted the petitioner’s previous statement that they would withdraw if the community did not want the project.
  • Evelyn Keaton (attorney): Filed a motion to dismiss based on lack of standing, arguing MetroBlocks has no property interest. The motion failed for lack of a second.
  • Paula Brooks: Stressed that the community has suffered from industrial pollution and that the data center’s 36 generators pose health risks; enforcement is weak.
  • Councillor Jesse Brown (District 13): Opposed the project, citing increased grid costs, negative health impacts from fossil fuel generation, and the project’s violation of the Quality of Life Plan.
  • Rep. Gregory Porter: Emphasized lack of transparency, accountability, and concrete commitments.
• Councillor Ron Gibson (District 8): Supported the petition, citing economic benefits, 300 construction jobs, and a minimum $22.5 million community benefit (including the $2.5 million upfront and $20 million over 10 years from tax abatement). He asked for approval.
• Staff Testimony (Kathleen): Recommended approval, stating the use is consistent with the comprehensive plan (light industrial) and the industrial reserve overlay. Staff noted that data centers are not enumerated in the zoning ordinance, but the CS zone and proposed variances are appropriate.
• Debate: Commissioners questioned the petitioner about tax revenue, environmental remediation, height, and community engagement. The petitioner assured that all infrastructure costs are privately funded, noise standards will be met, and the $20 million community benefit is enforceable through the tax abatement process.
• Outcome: Rezoning approved 6-2; variances approved 6-2. (The motion to dismiss earlier failed for lack of a second.)

3. Indy Parks Rezoning and Vacation (2026 CZN 809 and 2026 CVC 809)

• Proposal: Rezoning 1.43 acres at 301 Virginia Avenue, etc., to PK1 for a public park with a basketball court, and vacation of an unimproved alley. The park will be ADA-accessible from the Cultural Trail and open dawn to dusk.
• Petitioner Testimony (Ben Jackson, Indy Parks): Committed to removing curb cuts and restoring sidewalks; construction expected by end of May 2026.
• Staff Testimony (Michael): Recommended approval, noting alignment with TOD and regional center guidelines, and support from the Cultural Trail executive director.
• Outcome: Rezoning and vacation approved 7-0 with one recusal.

4. Mercedes-Benz Dealership Rezoning (2026 ZON 015)

• Proposal: Rezoning 4.87 acres at 2215 Southport Commons Drive from DPFW1 to DPFW1 to allow automobile, motorcycle, and light vehicle sales or rental. The site is part of the Southern Dunes development near the I-69/Southport Road interchange.
• Petitioner Testimony (Joe Calderon, Jeff Meeker): A new Mercedes-Benz dealership with 35-40 jobs initially, up to 100 at full operation, and a $20 million investment. The use is limited to Block C of the plat.
• Remonstrator: Two representatives from the Southern Dunes HOA confirmed they were satisfied with the proposal and welcomed the development.
• Staff Testimony: Recommended approval despite misalignment with the comprehensive plan, citing the new interchange context and existing commercial development. A retention pond buffers multifamily units to the west.
• Outcome: Approved 8-0.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances: All requested continuances granted (two to April 15, one to May 6, two to May 6 with withdrawal warning).
• Policy Resolutions and No-Appeal Petitions: All approved unanimously or nearly so.
• Tax Abatement Amendment (2026 A007): Approved 8-0.
• MetroBlocks Data Center (2025 ZON 124 and 2025 VAR 012): Rezoning and variances approved 6-2. Petitioner to return for tax abatement approval.
• Indy Parks (2026 CZN 809 and 2026 CVC 809): Rezoning and vacation approved 7-0.
• Mercedes-Benz Dealership (2026 ZON 015): Rezoning approved 8-0.