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Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - September 16, 2026

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, September 16, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, September 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:51

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
1:22

Great.

1:22

I think I'm going to yes, so let's go back to the beginning.

1:26

So you can press it to go forward.

1:28

And then back that's we'll take a head.

1:31

And if you have any problems, see the gentleman that's two over the glasses and ball.

1:40

Yeah.

1:41

And he can just say, okay.

1:43

She will to advance if something happens about the tell.

1:49

And I'll be doing it during the staff report period now, not at the introduction.

1:55

Will you be doing it when you represent yes?

1:58

In my understanding, if I reach it comes up, I will come up into an intro very briefly on the slide.

2:03

And then after all the remonstrators and prayers, counselors, I will come up into the staff.

2:07

That's why everybody's having noticed what's in this stack.

2:13

Yeah, it's whatever the commission.

2:15

Did you tell the commission that they told us what's going on?

2:20

Don't do what I do.

2:34

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

2:36

Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Committee meeting.

2:40

It is September 16th at 2026.

2:45

Would you please all rise as I call the meeting to order and join me with the Pledge of Allegiance?

3:19

Thank you.

3:19

Members of the Commission.

3:21

Last week you received the minutes of the September 2nd, 2026 meeting.

3:27

Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes?

3:33

Hearing none.

3:34

Commissioner Herget, I'll accept the motion to approve.

3:37

So moved.

3:38

Thank you.

3:39

Commissioner Lyle, I'll take a second.

3:41

Second.

3:41

Let me call the roll.

3:42

Hergett.

3:43

Hurgett, yes.

3:45

Lyle.

3:45

Lyle, yes.

3:46

Murphy.

3:47

Murphy, yes.

3:48

Robinson.

3:49

Robinson, yes.

3:50

Schumacher.

3:51

Schumacher, yes.

3:52

West.

3:53

West, yes.

3:54

Dylan is a yes.

3:55

The minutes passed.

3:56

Seven to zero.

3:58

Moving forward.

3:59

Are there any requests for continuances, withdrawals or special requests?

4:12

Good afternoon.

4:13

Please introduce yourself.

4:14

Good afternoon, President Dillon Commissioners.

4:16

Kathy Battle with the economic incentives team with DMD.

4:20

I am here to request a continuance for resolution numbers 2026 A016 and 017.

4:28

Uh staff is still in the process of working through the agreement.

4:32

So we are asking for a continuance to October 21st to just allow additional time to make sure that all commitments are clear.

4:41

Thank you, Kathy.

4:42

Is there anyone here today in the audience who'd like to comment on this request of 2026 A one six and twenty twenty twenty-six A O one seven moving to the October twenty-first timeline?

5:02

Seeing none.

5:03

Any questions from members of the commission?

5:08

Since they are dovetailed, counselor, can I take those together?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Public Engagement██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Legal and Liability█████5%
Zoning and Land Use████4%
Taxation███3%
Comprehensive Planning██2%
Real Estate█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Metropolitan Development Commission of Indianapolis-Marion County met on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting covered numerous continuances, public hearings on two major data center tax abatement packages (Sabey Data Center Properties LLC), and approvals of several routine items. Over $4.3 billion in proposed capital investment was discussed, along with substantial community benefit commitments and property tax revenue projections.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The minutes of the September 2, 2026 meeting were approved by a vote of 7 to 0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Pat Andrews (representing the Decatur Township Civic Council, 7631 Reynolds Road, Camby) testified in opposition to the Sabey Data Center abatements (2026-A-044 and 2026-A-045). He argued that proper notice had not been provided to all taxing units, the project could proceed without abatement based on statements by company representatives and the filing of an improvement location permit, and the assessed value (AV) to investment ratio was far lower than other recent projects (e.g., 14% for Sabey real property vs. 68% average). He also raised concerns about fire department costs, public safety, noise, diesel fumes, and the lack of meaningful community benefits, stating "a damn pool ain't gonna cut it."
  • Cleet Casper (Director of Real Estate, Sabey Data Center Properties LLC) spoke in favor, highlighting Sabey's 25-year track record, the project's $4.3 billion investment, 75 permanent jobs at $50/hour, 300 construction jobs, and community benefits including $5 million for road improvements, $5 million for an aquatic center design, and $1 million for maintenance.
  • John Hooker (President, Central Indiana Building Trades Council) expressed support, noting the benefits for local trades and community investments.
  • Josh Mascalier (City-County Councilor, District 21) declined to take a position on the abatements, deferring to IEDI's analysis.

Discussion Items

  • Continuances: Multiple petitions were continued to future dates:
    • Metrobloks, LLC (2026-A-016/017, data center) continued to October 21, 2026, by a 7-0 vote.
    • Marion County Land Use Plan (2026-P-008) continued to October 21, 2026, by a 7-0 vote.
    • Broadmoor Investments (2026-CZN-833/CPL-833) continued to December 16, 2026, due to deficient notice; 7-0 vote.
    • Petition 2026-ZON-045 (2003 N. College Ave) continued to November 18, 2026, by 7-0 vote.
    • Petition 2026-ZON-051 (4150 N. High School Rd) continued to October 7, 2026, by 7-0 vote.
    • Pike Township Residence Association automatic continuance for 2026-CZN-841/CVR-841 to October 21, 2026, acknowledged.
  • Sabey Data Center Real Property Abatement (2026-A-044): Public hearing held. Petitioner Cleet Casper and IEDI CEO Andrea Richter Gary presented. Project: $2.1 billion real property investment for a 1,062,500 sq ft data center campus on 130 acres, creating 75 jobs at $50/hr, with 10-year 60% abatement. Enhanced landscaping, closed-loop water system, and good neighbor agreement included. IEDI recommended approval. Motion to approve passed 6-1 (Commissioner Schumacher opposed).
  • Sabey Data Center Personal Property Abatement (2026-A-045): Public hearing held. $2.2 billion personal property investment (plus $1.75 billion tenant equipment) with 15-year 90% abatement. IEDI recommended approval. Motion to approve passed 5-2 (Commissioners Lyle and Schumacher opposed).
  • Monon 21 Amendment (2026-A-046): Public hearing to extend ERA termination, job creation, and investment deadlines to December 31, 2029 for a previously approved abatement at 2060 Yandes Street. Passed 6-1 (President Dillon opposed).
  • Greenleaf Foods Waiver (2026-A-047): Public hearing to waive the 2025 deduction application filing deadline and extend job creation deadline from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2027. Passed 7-0.
  • Non-Public Hearing Resolutions (2026-R-031 and 2026-P-011): Real estate conveyance for vacant-to-vibrant properties and contract extension for planning consulting services with Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative, LLC through December 31, 2027. Both passed 7-0.
  • Petitions of No Appeal: Seven petitions approved by a single 7-0 vote, including rezonings for residential and mixed-use developments.

Key Outcomes

  • Sabey Data Center Tax Abatements Approved: Real property abatement (60% for 10 years) and personal property abatement (90% for 15 years) approved, with total project investment of $4.3 billion, 75 permanent jobs at $50/hr, and $29.8 million in community benefits (minimum). Project is expected to make Sabey the second-largest taxpayer in Marion County post-abatement.
  • Continuances Granted for Metrobloks, Land Use Plan, and Several Zoning Petitions.
  • Monon 21 and Greenleaf Foods Amendments Approved.
  • Vacant to Vibrant Conveyance and Planning Contract Extended.

Meeting Transcript

Great. I think I'm going to yes, so let's go back to the beginning. So you can press it to go forward. And then back that's we'll take a head. And if you have any problems, see the gentleman that's two over the glasses and ball. Yeah. And he can just say, okay. She will to advance if something happens about the tell. And I'll be doing it during the staff report period now, not at the introduction. Will you be doing it when you represent yes? In my understanding, if I reach it comes up, I will come up into an intro very briefly on the slide. And then after all the remonstrators and prayers, counselors, I will come up into the staff. That's why everybody's having noticed what's in this stack. Yeah, it's whatever the commission. Did you tell the commission that they told us what's going on? Don't do what I do. Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the Metropolitan Development Committee meeting. It is September 16th at 2026. Would you please all rise as I call the meeting to order and join me with the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. Members of the Commission. Last week you received the minutes of the September 2nd, 2026 meeting. Are there any additions or deletions to those minutes? Hearing none. Commissioner Herget, I'll accept the motion to approve. So moved. Thank you. Commissioner Lyle, I'll take a second. Second. Let me call the roll. Hergett. Hurgett, yes. Lyle. Lyle, yes. Murphy. Murphy, yes. Robinson. Robinson, yes. Schumacher. Schumacher, yes. West. West, yes. Dylan is a yes. The minutes passed. Seven to zero. Moving forward. Are there any requests for continuances, withdrawals or special requests? Good afternoon. Please introduce yourself.

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