Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) met on October 7, 2026, to consider several applications for certificates of appropriateness, variances, and rezoning requests. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, procedural withdrawals and continuances, and four expedited cases approved en bloc. Main agenda items included a proposed performing arts addition for Heron High School, a chimney removal request in the Old North Side, and a continuance for a New Augusta residence addition to allow neighborhood review. Commissioner Annie Lear recused herself from one expedited case (2026 COA 342).
The commission took three separate votes for expedited certificates of appropriateness, a variance, and rezoning cases. All passed unanimously.
Heron High School Addition (2026 COA 247, Herron-Morton Place): Applicant Zach Grayeski and architect Nick Robertson (Ratio Architects) presented a revised proposal for a performing arts building attached to the Fessler Building and an addition for cafeteria, lab, and music classrooms. They highlighted community engagement, parking agreements with Herron Classical Schools, and design refinements such as a transparent glass lobby, brick and metal panel volumes, and contextual massing. They showed how the design references neighboring building heights, window rhythms, and materials. Commissioners Michael Bivens and others expressed support, noting the design fits well without overpowering the site. Staff recommended approval with nine stipulations and one note. The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness.
Old North Side Chimney Removal (2026 COA 343, 1557 N. College Ave.): Applicant Ryan Mills explained that a roof replacement at a 2004 townhome complex revealed that the existing fake brick chimneys were structurally unsound and cannot be replaced in kind due to improper construction. Two options were presented: installing B-stacks (vent pipes) on the College Avenue facade or rerouting them to the rear (alley side). Commissioner David Baker noted the chimneys had no historic value and supported removal, preferring to move B-stacks to the rear for a cleaner appearance. Staff recommended approval with the rear option. The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness.
I better turn this on first. I don't normally chair the meeting, so there may be some glitches. I apologize ahead of time. First, uh we have the approval of the minutes. September 2nd. Um executive session of August 5th and the meeting of August 12th. Uh do I hear any uh comments about any of them? Okay. Uh Annie? You make move that we approve them. Do I have a second? Thank you, Mike. Uh they've all been approved. Uh we have no new b old business, we have no new business. So we'll start the public hearing by introducing commissioners and staff members. I'm David Baker, the vice president of the commission. Uh Susan Williams is the secretary. Michael Bivens is Commissioner, and Jeanette Savilich is uh Commissioner, Kristen Wiggs, Commissioner, and Annie Lear Commissioner. The staff with us is Meg Bush, the administrator, Chris Steinmetz, legal counsel, Emily Jarzen, Principal Architectural Reviewer, Shelby Long, Senior Architectural Reviewer, Morgan Marmolay, Architectural Reviewer, Carolyn Eminacer, Architectural Reviewer, and Miriam Burkett, Preservation Planner and Recorder. The Commission has copies of IC 36-7-11.1, the Marion County Zoning Ordinances, the historic preserve preservation zoning ordinance, and all historic area plans for Marion County on file, and which will be incorporated by reference into the record of each case heard by the Commission this evening. This evening's hearing, uh this evening's hearing uh uh will be governed by the commission's rules of procedure, which also are incorporated into the record of this proceeding. Anyone wanting to get notice that a decision made by this commission has been appealed, may fill out a notification form within five days of the decision. The forms are available and may be obtained from the commission staff. The commission strongly recommends against submitting new written materials at the hearing. Doing so may result in the application being continued if the commissioner staff believes the material substantially alters the request or requires more review than is reasonable at a public hearing. However, if supplemental materials related to a case is being submitted this evening, please submit it to the IHPC staff when you come up to testify. The chair would also like to remind the public that expartheid contact with the commissioners, which is contact related to a matter before the commission outside this public hearing process is prohibited. So we'll start with the request for withdrawals or continued applications. Megan 2026 COA 11 Fletcher Place. Address is 501 and 555 East Louisiana Street and 304 and 306 South College Avenue. Applicant is Rick Kahn. And that request is to continue to November 4th. 2026 COA 198B Cottage Home. Address is 950 Dorman Street, and the applicant is Russell Brown. Um that request is actually just to withdraw that case, so we'll just ask for you to acknowledge that. 2026 COA 327 Lockerby Square addresses 334 Northeast Street, also known as 396 Northeast Street, and the applicant is Colby Tony, and that request is to continue to the November 4th hearing. 2026 COA 339 Chathamarch, Massachusetts Avenue and 2026 VHP 011.