Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission Hearing – September 2, 2026

The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) held its regular monthly hearing on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting covered approval of August minutes, policy updates, a brick change for a hotel project, an enforcement action on a property in disrepair, and a public hearing on a proposed new single-family house in the Cottage Home Conservation District. The commission voted to approve the policy updates, the brick substitution, and the new house with stipulations, while directing staff to pursue enforcement and a progress report for the Burgess Avenue property.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of August 2026 Minutes: Approved unanimously without correction.
• 2026 IHPC Policy Updates: The commission approved annual updates to the IHPC policies, with a note from Commissioner David Baker that the section on exempt signs appears twice and should be consolidated in the future. Administrator Meg Bush noted that further changes for special event signs are under development. Motion carried unanimously.
• 2024-COA-226 (Wholesale District) – 230 South Pennsylvania Street: The applicant, represented by Tim Oaks (Ice Miller) for Boxcar Development LLC, requested approval to substitute brick originally specified from a Nebraska plant (Yankee Hill dark iron spot) with a custom-matched brick from the same manufacturer’s California plant. The change was necessary because the Nebraska plant could not produce the required shapes. Commissioner Susan Williams reported viewing the mock-up on site and found the difference minimal. The commission approved the substitution unanimously.

Old Business – Enforcement Action

• 324 Burgess Avenue – Enforcement for Code Violations: The property owner, Mr. Madeiros (address: 2255 North 400 West, Greenfield, IN), appeared before the commission. Staff summarized extensive repair orders dating back to 2009, including foundation, roof, siding, and porch issues. The property had been placed on a demolition order but was removed after minor foundation repairs. Staff recommended a 90-day compliance period (by December 1, 2026) for the most urgent repairs, with a progress report due at the December hearing. Mr. Madeiros cited health issues (autoimmune pancreatitis) that delayed work, but stated he is now in remission and has materials ready. He plans to do most work himself with one helper. The commission did not take a vote but directed staff to file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office and continue conversations with Indiana Landmarks about a possible receivership if compliance is not achieved. The owner was encouraged to work with staff on active certificates.

Public Hearing – 929 Stillwell Street

• 2026-COA-206 (Cottage Home) – 929 Stillwell Street – Matthew Peyton, applicant: The applicant, Matthew Peyton (Pat Architecture, 6219 Guilford Avenue, Indianapolis), presented revised plans for a two-story single-family residence with a detached three-car garage connected by a breezeway. Changes from the previous hearing included: greater separation of the two front gables, recessing the chimney from the front facade, reducing the size of the south gable, adding windows to the garage to make it more cottage-like, and modifying the fence to have a lower 42-inch section in the middle with a taller privacy section near the patio. The property owner, Jason Owens (929 Norman Street, Indianapolis), spoke briefly, expressing willingness to adjust the fence further.

  Staff Position: Morgan (staff) recommended denial, stating the proposal remains non-compliant with the Cottage Home Conservation Area Plan due to excessive height, massing, scale, and complexity. Staff acknowledged the garage windows were an improvement but believed the design still needed reworking.

  Commission Discussion:

  • Commissioner David Baker visited the site twice and found the house appropriate given the unique context of the block, which has lost most original cottages and now contains larger homes. He noted a similar large house across the street with an 8-foot fence. He supported approval with continued tweaks.
  • Commissioner Susan Williams expressed concern about the fence, calling it a “barricade,” and questioned whether an 8-foot fence across the street was properly approved. She supported the house design but wanted a more appropriate fence.
  • Commissioner Michael Bivens questioned the complex roof lines, noting that a roof plan would help clarify. He was concerned that insulation design drove the roof shape rather than aesthetics. He suggested simplifying the roof.
  • Commissioner Anson Keller noted that the lot historically had a building nearly as wide as the proposed house, and the lack of public remonstrance spoke to the neighborhood’s acceptance. He supported approval.
  • Commissioner William Browne (President) noted the chimney change significantly improved the front facade and was comfortable with the design. He and others wanted the fence’s low section made wider.

  The applicant agreed to work with staff on the fence and provide a roof plan.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on 929 Stillwell Street: Motion to approve with staff’s nine stipulations (including submission of a roof plan, pre-construction meeting, and field staking). The motion passed 7–2. (Two ayes against, seven for; the two opposed were not specified but likely the two commissioners who expressed concerns.)
• Policy Updates: Approved unanimously.
• Brick Substitution: Approved unanimously.
• 324 Burgess Avenue: No formal vote; the commission directed staff to pursue enforcement and requested a progress report at the December 2, 2026 hearing. The owner was given 90 days to complete priority repairs (foundation, roof, siding, porch).
• Next Steps: Staff will continue to work with the applicant on 929 Stillwell Street to finalize drawings and fence details. For Burgess Avenue, staff will file a complaint with the prosecutor and explore receivership options with Indiana Landmarks.