Ladies and gentlemen, good
afternoon. It's 1 o'clock and
we have a core. Let me call
the MAY 20th 2026 meeting of
the Metropolitan Development
Commission will now come to
order. Shannon Norman is here
today and I have asked her to
leave U.S. In the Pledge of
Allegiance. Shannon's last day
is MAY 28th. She has been an
exemplary employee for the
city of Indianapolis. She is
smart. She is hard working and
she will be a tremendous loss
for the city as she moves on
to go to Brown's bird. And and
work with their city
municipality. There. So
everybody, please welcome an
armored car whereby rise for
the pledge. Please let I
pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of
America and to the Republic
for which it stands. One
nation under GOD, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for
all. Thank you, Shannon. And
good luck to Moving forward.
Members of the commission last
week you received the minutes
from the MAY 6, 2026 meeting.
Are there any additions or
deletions to those minutes?
Hearing? None commissioner her
get out set the motion to
approve, so moved. Thank you,
commissioner, while take us
second. Let me call the roll
her. Get or yes. And while And
poor areas, Murphy Murphy s
Robinson Robinson. Yes,
Schumacher Schumacher recuse
because I left before the
meeting was over. Thank you.
The recused gifts. Doing yes.
The minutes past 7 to 0 with
one recusal. Moving forward.
Our other any continuation
withdraws special request that
we like to address Leticia.
Thank you. PRESIDENT Dylan and
members of the commission. I
am Leticia Ramsey, the
compliance manager for the
Economic Simmons team dmv. I
am requesting that item 20. 26
dash a 0, 1, 9 be tabled into
after the acquisition. The
current Senate, a building to
be finalized. Thank you. As
I'm going to take this is a
point of order in consultation
with our council. I can just
take a look myself as CHAIRMAN
As a point of order. It's done
tabled. Thank you wait for it
to come back. Any other
continue? It's a special
requests. Us ma'am. Introduce
yourself. Momentum is just
bomb for 3, 3, 4 North Europe
saying string town now Rogers
Neighborhood Association and I
would like to cut interest.
Jessica, New start over. I was
because lot of noise or it's
your a string town now, which
is a retired Naval
Association. I'd like to
formally request as
continuance for cars in the.
2, 0, 2, 6 ebr cdc Petco 3
case. The dmv planning manager
confirmed in writing the
traffic study should have been
done for a project of this
size. No such study has been
produced despite weeks of
requests from U.S., the
commission cannot make
findings required under 9.9,
1, 8.4 that appears that
approval will not injurious to
public health, safety and
welfare. With an analysis for
record. Kuehl on Justin, you
lost me here, which what's the
site that your request are in
cell c? Number 14 got at
number 14 on the agenda.
Guess. Thank you stand by,
please counselor. You want to
comment on this year. The
lawyer for the petitioner,
please come forward and are
sure deafening present. Dylan,
me should have been which
officers that one, Indiana
squares with 1800 attorney for
petitioner in this matter. And
we do have a firm objection to
the continuance. The project
was sir. The petition was
filed in JANUARY. We've been
having conversations with Dmd
dpw since early JANUARY
JANUARY, including related to
traffic and other issues. We
were not made aware that
staff's request was what can
we do? A traffic study until
late last. Week and the
request was that perform a
traffic study. We can make
commitment to performing a
traffic study prior to the
issuance permits which we're
happy to do and will
incorporate that commitment
into the record. So traffic
study will be done. This is a
low income housing tax credit
project with very tight
timelines. Much-needed
project. And so we asked that
the case they on the agenda.
Spoken with the city Councilor
Jones and she's here indicated
that she doesn't support a
continuous. Cancer. Can you
come up something? Thank you.
Good. Thank you, PRESIDENT
Don. I prefer you go on the
record versus the absolutely
yes. Tuition is like yes.
Christine 14 separate straight
Indianapolis, Indiana City
County Council for District
18. And I also am against this
continuance request. We've
worked hard for many, many
months working with the
neighborhood, the Neighborhood
Association residents dpw, the
agency's dandy and then
getting there everything in
line for this and they are
willing to do that. The
traffic study as chair
CHAIRWOMAN Of public works.
I'm very familiar with traffic
studies and I will be held
accountable to make sure that
traffic study is done. Thank
you, counselor. Natalie, as
always, thank you for your
support of absolutely in dc.
Thank you, Kathleen. Are you
ready to go? Yes, I'm prepared
to go forward today. Your
thoughts on this continuance
requests? I a traffic study is
not required for rezoning.
That is typically a request
made by staff and staff became
aware that that this would be
an appropriate time for a
traffic study. But there is
and b petitioners,
representative. Has agreed
that there would be a
commitment that there would be
a traffic study and any
recommendations to the
infrastructure of this project
would be included with
development. That you're ready
to go. Yes, I'm prepared to go
forward. The members of the
commission, we have a request
for a continuance. Of 2026.
See the 803. And dovetail
2026. Cvc 803. You've heard
the testimony. I don't know if
there's a I. If there's a
somebody who wants to make a
motion to continue, this are
about wants to make a motion
on commission. Seeing none
you're request dies for lack
of emotion. We're ready to go.
Counselor, we want to hear
staff. We want to hear
understand or monsters. We
want to hear your west as
well. So we will hear the case
today. Any other requests.
Withdraw us, Kathleen? Yes,
thank you. PRESIDENT Members
of the commission can staff a
your attention to item number
9, 2026 z o and 0 to 6 located
at 35 65 South. Keystone
Avenue that will need to be
continued to your JUNE 3rd
pending receipt of executed
commitments. And that will
require a motion and a vote.
Thank you. Thank you, Kathleen
staffers requests everybody
else who like to comment on
this counselor? Thank you for
coming forward. Russell Brown
with law firm of Clarke went
through 20 North Meridian
Street. We deliver those
commitments to Kathleen
Mission and they were reviewed
in, I thought approved. So on.
Well, that. So so I'm slightly
shocked at where well, I MAY
have missed cent, but I trust
Russell, that those have been
submitted. And so it can go
forward. And then there was
only one commitment related to
that. And it was having to
maintain the lot clean well
maintained. So we trust
verify, know, retracting my
request for a continuance.
Thank you. Recipe for sure.
Thank you. So sorry about
that. All right. So
Twenty-twenty 6 to 6 is back
in play. Any other requests.
Continuances withdrawal.
PRESIDENT Doing members
commission. I like to bring
your attention agenda item 13.
This is for the proposed
ordinance amendments 2026.
Here's your one. We are asking
to continue this to the JUNE
3rd and you see hearing this
will allow us to continue to
review the public input that's
been provided and provided the
most robust response for your
view. With your permission,
I'd like to move this JUNE
3rd. And you see hearing.
Bryce, I'm curious. Going to
be making changes to what was
been submitted to us. Of.
You're so right now, that's
the key part why we're asking
for that to make sure that we
can provide to all the
information, including all of
that community input that
we've heard. I have been
provided. So then you have a
full comprehensive review.
When you have ordinance
amendment part of you. If you
make a material change to what
you've been presented to us
MAY cause additional time
issues. You understand we're
fully aware. Here today who
like to comment on this?
Requests? 2026? 1, 9, being
continue to JUNE 3rd. Seeing
freshener Schumacher. Can I
get a motion to move 2026? 1,
9, to the meeting of JUNE 3rd,
2026. So moved Commissioner
West. Can I get a second
second call the roll? Heard
her. Lyle. Yes, where Murphy
Rob sounds yes, Schumacher
Schumacher. Yes, gifts doing
is the yes that passes 0 and
it's on track for the JUNE
3rd, 2026 meeting. Any other
requests withdrawals?
Continuances. Nancy. Read the
resolutions in the record,
please. Thank you. PRESIDENT
Doing and commissioners.
Resolutions real estate is
2026. 0, 1, 5, authorizes
department metropolitan
development to convey title
are an option to purchase
title a property to the
Transferee has approved by the
vacant a vibrant review
committee for the purpose of
providing development that
will best serve the interests
of the city. 2026. A 0, 1, 9
was cable. 2026. P 0, 0, 4
establishes and approve the
budget of 275. $275,000 for
the ground. Water protection
fun authorizes the Department
of Metropolitan Development to
administer the funds for the
purposes of developing and
operating education and
voluntary business
registration programs through
the Marion County will feel
Education Corporation Mcw ec
and a ministry in the
Wellfield Protection.
Secondary zoning districts.
2026 p 0, 0, 5, authorizes the
Department of Metropolitan
Development. Access the public
water supply systems of Marion
County, $275,000 $2500,000 for
the purpose of funding the
ground. Water protection, fun
for 2026. 2026. P 0, 0, 7
authorizes the Department
Metropolitan Development to
execute an amendment to the
contract. Number 2, 0, 9, 9,
1, with multi studio
incorporated to finalize the
in Annapolis, Marion County,
Zoning and Subdivision Control
ordinance. The endearing zone
regard to equitable
development and overall not to
exceed amount of $145,000 with
the terms through DECEMBER
2026, this the reading of the
resolution. Thank you, Nancy.
Members of the commission we
have before us for policy
resolutions that are not
scheduled for a public
hearing. 2026 r '01, 5, 2026 p
o 4. 2026. P o '05. 2026 p o
7. I like to take all 4 at
once. Commission Can I get a
motion to approve all 4
resolutions so moved? Thank
you. Commissioner Murphy. Can
I get a second second? Let me
call the roll her. Get her.
While. While yes, where the
U.S. Murphy Murphy s Robinson
Robinson. Yes, Schumacher
Schumacher. Yes, west west.
Yes. Doing is call for
resolutions past 8, 2, 0,
Nancy, can you read the
petitions and no appeal into
the record? Please. Thank you,
PRESIDENT. Do commissioners,
petitions of no appeal
recommended for approval by
the year. You examine years
2026. Him. Od. 0, 0, 2, 73, 0,
5 Kentucky Avenue and 87. 28
87. 32 87. 36 in 87 40 Tolson
Drive Decatur Township Council
district. 21. 2026, 0, 2, 0.
35 20 Robson Street. Senator
Township Council District 13.
2026, 0, 0, 2, one at 2065
Yandy Street Center Township
Council District. 13. 2026, 0,
0, to 6. A 35 65 South.
Keystone Avenue. Perry
Township Council District. 22.
2026 e o and 0 to 18. 65 55
Carrollton Avenue, Washington
Township Council District 7.
0, 3, 1, 17, 50 West Morris
Street Center Township Council
District 18. And last 2026.
Our Eg 0 to 9, 11, 40 Dr
Martin Luther King Junior
Street Center Township Council
District 12. This is the
reading of the petitions of no
appeal. Thank you, Nancy. The
foreign 7 zoning positions are
recommended for approval. 2026
m o d '02, 2026, 2026 0 to one
2026, to 6, 2026, to 8. 2026,
3, 1, 2026. Are e to 9
commissioner Herget. I'd like
to take all 7 together. Kind
of get a motion to approve. So
moved to mission allowed. Can
I get a second second? Let me
call the roll. Heard her. Yes.
While Lyle, yes, more
Mauritius Murphy Murphy asked
Robinson 10, yes, Schumer,
Schumacher, yes, West West
doing is a yes. All 7
petitions of no appeal. Half
past. Nancy, let's read our
first hearing into the record.
Thank you. Once again,
PRESIDENT Don't and
commissioners, but for
petitions for public hearing
are companion petitions
approved by the hearing
Examiner appeal filed by
reminds traitor. 2026 cvr 8,
0, 3, and 2026. Cvc 803,
amended at 14. 37 through 15.
33 Saucy Street 14. 22 15. 28,
even Aster Street and 2, 1, 9
key street Senator Township
Council district 18. The
property is owned e a r c.
Tissues Union Holdings 3 llc
by Michael Rabinovitch. They
are requesting a variance of
user development standards of
the Consolidated Zoning and
subdivision ordinance to
provide for a large apartment
not permitted the building
height of 50 feet maximum. 35
the permitted the floor area
ratio of 1.88 maximum 0.8, 0,
4, area racial permitted and a
minimum liveability space
ratio of 0, 7, minimum of 0.7
5 required. Also require
requesting vacation of the
first east with Sally south of
salt. Street ranging from 8
feet and 12 feet in with from
the east right away line of
Ken Hughes Street b, the
southeast corner of what 51 of
meant years, Wilmot Place.
Section 3 as recorded in plat
book 12 Page One, 5157 in the
Office of the Recorder of
Marion County, Indiana. 660
feet to the east and to the
West right away line White
River Parkway West Drive also
requesting vacation of the
first North South alley with
the White River Parkway West
Drive the 8 feet wide and the
south right away line of salsa
street, 86 feet to the south
to the north right away line.
Of the first East West ally,
south of salt, the streets.
And make 18 vacation of the
second instance North South
Alley with the White River
Parkway West Drive the 14 feet
wide, 220 feet south to the
north right away line of Aster
Street. All those intended to
testify on these petitions
afternoon, either for or
against. Please stand now to
be identified. And I believe
he would have fill out
speaking slipped. Anybody else
going to speak? Please raise
your right hands. Do you swear
or affirm Do you swear or
affirm as a pill is a perjury
to tell the truth and nothing.
But the 2 said, do I do? Thank
you. Let me walk through the
rules of engagement. We will
ask the petitioner to present
their case. They will have 15
minutes to do so. I will then
come to the rim on strangers.
Jesse, are you going to be
taking the lead on that? So
you had several people
standing up. You also be given
15 minutes only to present
your case. I will then go to
council Jones for her comments
in her position on the matter
and then I will go to staff to
get the staff report. After
staff has done. I go back to
the petitioner for 5 minutes
of rebuttal and I go back
after that. The reminds
traitors for 5 minutes of
rebuttal. We write a orderly,
timely meeting. Light goes on
on your time. You are done.
Council. You're on the clock.
15 minutes. Go as Sarah
Michelle Rabinowitz again, one
of the squares with 1800 in
Indianapolis. In this case, I
represent the annex group,
which is a locally based
multifamily developer focuses
on affordable housing. As many
of, you know, our city is in
the middle of an affordable
housing shortage. We're in
desk. We're we're we're in
desperate need of finding
affordable housing for our
Citizens. Annex is a local
developer that's trying to
fill that need. Here today. On
behalf of an ex is Joyce. Good
morning. Ryan Clark is also
here. He's in the back. The
subject property consists of a
3.4 acre assemblage of a
number of smaller parcels in
the string town neighborhood,
which is just west White River
in it around zoo. But across
river. Work closely with the
string town Neighborhood
Association and City Councilor
Christian Jones to develop the
site plan. The elevations, an
agreement with the
neighborhood that's mutually
beneficial. I'll talk about
each of those things. The
neighborhood Association has
offered a letter of support in
there materials that have 11
and counselor Jones letter
supports in your materials
that had 10 and she's here and
will we'll speak to you in
support of the project. I'm
just move through information
that's included in exhibits
behind tab one r a some aerial
shots of the site. Just to
give you context again, it's
west of the White River,
bounded by White River Parkway
to the east of the site. To
the north is Saul c Street to
the south is Aster Street and
then came street is to the
west as part of this
development, both Aster Street
and Street, which of the 2
streets north and south. We'll
be widened in. That was a
request that was made of us
from dpw and our our
conversations. As we studied
kind of the circulation the
traffic flow in the area.
Behind Tab. 2 are some site
photos. The site consists of.
Some vacant ground and then
also a number of residential
structures in varying stages
of disrepair and decay. All
but one of those residential
buildings is subject of a
demolition order or some sort
of notice of violation. The
property owner behind Tab 3 is
study the structures that are
existing and and the and their
reports are behind tab 3 by a
structural engineer. The point
is that these properties are
decaying and significantly and
the properties in desperate
need of improvement. Through
this Next is investing is
making a 70 million dollar
investment in the neighborhood
to improve these properties
and to put them to good use
for much needed affordable
housing. The properties are
already zone we're not asking
for rezoning da, as I'm sure,
you know, is a fairly intense
residential zoning district
where multi-family development
is typically contemplated as
opposed to single family
development. Again, the
properties are already zone d
8. In addition, as staff has
pointed out in the staff
report. The proposed
development is consistent with
applicable land use plan,
which is the near West
Neighborhood land use plan.
Not only does it recommend da
development. But here, quote,
a couple of quotes from this
land use plan. The area has a
high number of vacant. Lots in
an occupies houses. It is
right for a shift in use
influences are busy.
Washington Street to the south
and neighboring
Indianapolis zoo. The adjacent
White River and proximity to
downtown. And I knew I and the
potential for rapid transit
along Washington Street
corridor. The other thing from
the neighborhood plan that I
think is relevant. It states
that multi-family residential
development in the area should
take the form of purpose-built
multi-family structures rather
than subdividing the existing
structures into multiple
units. In other words, as the
hearing examiner had put in
their recommendation, support
for project, she stated the
proposed development is
compatible with the
single-family dwellings and
would be inappropriate. Reuse
of the site. Next is proposing
a 242 unit multi-family
development with 258
structured parking spaces.
There are additional 44
parking spaces on the street
around the property. Again,
the property already zoned e
8. But we're asking for
several variances which are
required because the Indy
rezone has residential
building type standards, but
to bring this type of density
to a a with da zoning, which
again is contemplated. You
need variances for height in
some of the open space Those
of that variances that were
requesting. Moving to tab 4,
which is the site plan. As you
can see, the eastern end of
the site is reserved for some
publicly accessible green
space. It is one building that
architectural. Are broken up
into 2 buildings, too. Break
up the massing a number of
changes were done after a
conversation with staff and
the city architect, including
and most significantly staff's
request that. The Western.
Component of the building,
which is closest to the
residential, be reduced from 4
stories to 3 stories. So you
have a three-story building
that's closest to the
residential. And then as you
move east closer to White
River and the views of
downtown. You have a 4 story
building that was a major
change that was made. Behind
Tab 5 is the landscape plan.
We submitted the landscape
plan in connection with the
petition. It meets ordinance
Green Factor requirement. I
wanted to comment on the
existing trees that were on
the property or that are on
the property. We had a tree
study done a survey and we
survey. The survey show that
there are 5 on this 3.4 acre
site. They're just 5 heritage
trees and not minimizing the
importance of heritage trees.
But there there just 5 of
them. We understand that based
upon the ordinance, there's a
requirement to mitigate the
removal of those treason. In
this case, it's permitted
under the ordinances staff has
indicated redevelopment of the
site could not occur without
it. That being said, if you
look at the site, the
landscape plan. The proposal
is the plant. 96 new trees
around the perimeter of the
site. So the landscaping will
be vastly improved based upon
what is being proposed here.
Moving to tab. 7 tab. 6 is the
is the tree Study tab 7. Our
floor plans. I just wanted to
note a couple of things
briefly. In conversations with
the String Town Neighborhood
Association, they expressed a
real interest and need for a
place where they could store
lot of quitman and materials
that they use throughout the
neighborhood to help
residents. They asked whether
that might be something that
the developer would consider
and the developer is
committing to that. So you'll
see on the first floor plan,
there's a storage area
identified on that plan for
use by the Neighborhood
Association. Not quite
lockdown where it would be,
whether it's inside the garage
or here on the perimeter. But
we've made that commitment in
writing any agreement.
Something else I want to point
out because a number of
residents, including members
of the string town
Neighborhood Association have
talked about safety and
security concerns. And we've
committed to a number of
things in the Neighborhood
Association agreement. I like
having the garage and building
locked in key Fleck trying a
key fob access only on site
management. But one unique
thing which I credit counselor
Jones for is I think this came
from experience and other
situations that time in
consultation with the police
chief. She suggested we
consider, which is to allocate
an area of that building for a
fitness area. And then permit
impd officers are in this case
as close to the university.
University offers officers to
use that facility free of
charge, which work the
petitioners committing to do
that, at least bring some
additional police presence.
Also committing include in the
development connection to impd
be linked system. For those of
you that don't know. I've
included some materials about
the billing system behind 10,
14. The link is a connection
between the video cameras that
are on site. The district's
video cameras. And so it it
provides for quicker response
time and monitoring by impd.
That's something that I think
is important to them and is
important too annex. Lets see
be time tab. 8 or building
elevations. And then behind
Tab 9 are some renderings. The
design of the building is
still work in in in process.
We had conversations with
planning and with the city
architect City architect asked
that we continued to develop
the architecture as we move
through the incentive part of
the the approval process,
which which we certainly will
do. The materials are brick
masonry and fiber cement,
siding. Each of units will
have outdoor space. Whether
it's a patio or about Kenny. I
want to talk a little bit
about our engagement with the
community. We know that
they're not everybody agrees
with this project. We
understand that. And that's ok
and that there are people who
will speak against it. Well,
what I did want to make clear
is that we have tried to
communicate and listen to
everyone. It doesn't matter
which group you're with. Spent
time with the string town
Neighborhood Association,
folks. We attended a public
meeting that they call but was
intent was attended by
representative both groups. We
attended a separate
neighborhood association
meeting called by the
Stringtown Now Association.
We've responded to email
requests for for information
and tried to do everything we
can. To at least show that we
are listening in going to be a
good neighbor and their number
of changes that have been made
made to the project as a
result of those conversations.
I mentioned earlier the
agreement between the
petitioner in Springtown
Neighborhood Association and
that agreement is behind Tab
12. It provides not only for
the safety and security.
Commitments that I talked
about. The fitness facility
available him pd and on-site
management and those sorts of
things. But a financial
commitment that annex is
making to the neighborhood to
the neighborhood Association.
Did they can do improvement
projects and things like that.
They've seen that work in
other locations. I know the
counselor Jones has worked on
those types of agreements on
projects that we've had. And
it's it's been very beneficial
so the point is that we've
worked very hard to try to
accommodate concerns. We know
that changes difficult, but
we're really working to bring
a good project to the
neighborhood. With that. We'd
asked for your approval of the
variances and the vacation
that is required to permit
this development to move
forward and and the approval
with we request would be
subject to The commitment to
perform. The traffic study has
indicated earlier and to make
any improvements to
infrastructure that are
required by that traffic
study. Questions for the
petitioner. Hearing. None.
Thank you, counselor Jesse.
Iran stairs. You have 15
minutes to make your case
Jussie. You are duly sworn
correct? Yes, sir. Please
introduce yourself again and
your address. My name is Jesse
Bomb 3, 3, 4 North Elder
representing Stringtown
nowhere which neighborhood
association. I do have some
packets. And in and The clock,
Nancy.
Nancy, start o'clock.
Please. Just a year on 15
minutes go for a start. I
would like to know one thing.
I am a citizen who works 11
hour days and I'm also finish
my degree currently. I have no
training in planning the
recently attending people's
Planning Academy. And what
I've taught myself in the last
year. I've spent countless
hours reading land-use plans.
Sony ordinances and codes and
many parts of the
comprehensive plan as well.
Every player, your nose and by
name, at least because I'm
female. And I'm always asking
questions and trying be the
most informed community member
that I can be and to also
inform my community members.
We take time away from our
families and our lives to stay
on top of off and changing
hearing dates to our best to
decipher a complicated legal
paperwork. We get in the mail
and take days off. Work
without pay to be here.
Arguing against experts who
are paid quite well to be
here. So with that. Start with
some findings of fact. The
proposed vacation. He's in the
public interest because the
Cup. Sorry, comprehensive
development of the
underutilized indicating site
would be facilitated by
proposed development. I want
to note here that the current
owner of this land has engaged
in purposeful demolition by
neglect. And willful
destruction of these homes
within the last year windows
and siding removed, leaving
them open to the elements.
Copper and wiring removed.
Interior is gutted and no
repairs done. As recently as
2020 for many of these homes
were occupied. One still is
occupied by a family. As our
neighbor has been robbed
usable housing inventory. And
now we're being told to start
to benefit to our benefit.
There's a lot of vacant land
and string town taking land
that has historic one single
family homes that could be
rehabbed. It's not are not
against development. We are
against development that harms
our community. We like many
others envisioning development
that preserves and
rehabilitate are poor and
working class community. Both
affordable homes. We also
support multifamily
development, consistent with
the current zoning and
comprehensive plan. There was
a community meeting between
acts group and their lawyer
held on APRIL 13th that we
attended testing neighborhood
Association. We were invited
by the String Town
Neighborhood association that
raid on a bird associations
operated solely by one person
who does not live in our
neighborhood property in
string town. At the APRIL 13th
meeting they held. We were
informed about closed door
meetings between the annex
group String Town Neighborhood
Association and our city
County councilor that been
taking place since DECEMBER of
2025. Even though string town
now has been a registered
neighborhood association with
the city since before the
petition was filed. We were
left out of these
conversations. Stringtown now
another neighbors, property
owners, church leaders. We're
and landlords were all left
these conversations that were
had about this development for
months. Last year. This
development shooting, this
part of land was denied
multiple times for demolition
of these properties. Because
there was no plan. Then this
is a plan that was. Given. But
again, there's a lot of vacant
land and strengthen the could
be utilized for this. We don't
need to turn a more single
family homes. Because I
understand that not everyone
could attend the meeting in
person on APRIL 13th. I
personally or not every door
surrounding the proposed
development because I
understood sorry I spoke to
elderly and disabled residents
as well as non
English-speaking residents.
Not one person I spoke to was
in support. I present you with
a petition to that effect and
there are more than 35
signatures there.
Approximately 35 homes in that
area. You should have a map in
your packet showing which
homes I want to. A building of
this size is density is not
currently allowed by the
zoning for many reasons. Quite
simply this nearly 200
year-old neighborhood was not
designed for that number of
people and cars and such a
small area, the neighborhood
will suffer in numerous ways.
Its belt severe impacts. The
quality of life include
numerous health and safety
concerns, parking and traffic
issues, lack of privacy view
shed some light, historic
integrity and environmental
safety, which will talk more
about that in just a moment.
Next slide, please. As I
mentioned, Stringtown now
accepts and welcomes
substantial density. The near
West Land use plan recommends
that each to 15 units per acre
are built. The current zoning
allows for low rise
apartments, garden apartments,
townhouses and row homes. We
have the Queen Commons, which
includes a picture as well, a
low-rise apartment building
just a block away from the
site. It blends well with the
surrounding homes and allows
for density. I want to know
that I've been told repeatedly
that the city wants density
and despite the zoning for
this area, we need more
density. The density doesn't
outweigh the of our community.
However, this question isn't
if the city needs density,
it's whether the variance
meets the standard. Although
it has been suggested that
string towners are against
affordable housing, I say that
that's not the case at all. We
are a poor and working class
community. And have been some
springtime was founded in 18.
88 the area in area, median
income level used to calculate
the prices for this building,
making it affordable does not
reflect actual string town
incomes for the near West
Health Impact Report which
documents median household
incomes of less than $50,000.
This isn't affordable housing.
It's gentrification and it
will lead to people being
pushed out of our
neighborhood. Next slide.
Please. There have been
countless reports of
substandard living conditions,
violence and many other
problems from their nearby
affordable development unit.
16th. He received a letter
from Robin Van Hine detailing
the extreme challenges he's
experienced as Burke with the
residents have union at 16th.
I've also said Ukraine
statistics for that location
from impd. This includes many
violent and crimes theft
drugs, multiple hit-and-runs
and officer involved shooting
and a nearly fatal shooting
just last month. Reverend
Hines letter and the Google
reviews from residents paint a
disturbing picture of neglect
Roach in mice, infestations.
Lack of promise services,
including their onsite gym
being inaccessible for years.
And generally deplorable
conditions throughout this
building will not make our
neighborhoods safer better in
any way. Been told by an ex
group that they learn from
their mistakes. But if that's
true, why haven't they improve
the conditions in the
building? They already own and
operate. In fact, crime has
gone up in last year's and
Xanax group took over
management of that property.
Next slide. Please. At this
time, no traffic study has
been done to calculate how
this outsized development
would negatively affect
traffic of our neighborhood.
Recently, we have seen major
increase in cut through
traffic from the West
Washington transit
construction. And soon the
16th Street bridge closure
will also send more people
directly through our small
neighborhood. We have already
taxed small streets. And
people tend to drive really
fast when they're coming
through as well. These
projects are projected to take
at least 2 more years. That's
for the West, Washington and
16th Street Bridge. Pending up
to pending dpw approval. Only
asked c Street would be
improved even coin, which is
the street on the far left of
that image. And other
surrounding streets to bear
the brunt of massive increases
in traffic. Next slide.
Please. As I mentioned, this
historic neighborhood was not
designed for building of this
size with hundreds more
residents and a very small
block, which is why large
apartment complex is not
permitted. And the zoning
district, the census covering
this area and stringtown has a
population of only 1578 people
adding a 242 unit with up to 3
bedroom units. He's adding
hundreds more people. The
building moment. 35 feet for
height. They're asking for 50,
which is a 43% increase over
the limit. The floor area
ratio is 0.8, 0. They're
asking for more than double
usable. Outdoor spaces
required to be 75% at that
site. The proposing is and
what they're proposing is a
91% reduction. 5 heritage
trees protected under this in
New Orleans are also in
danger. Once these trees are
removed or neighborhood will
suffer. The consequences for
decades, if not longer.
Saplings, do not provide the
benefits and often do not
survive into maturity.
Proximity to the White River
Park does nothing to mitigate
how this will affect our
storm. Water runoff heat
islands and And pollution
mitigation, it strengthened as
excessive pollution stormwater
runoff and he island issues
currently our tree canopy
coverage is 20% which is very
low for residential
neighborhood, marking it in
the highest priority group,
according to the American
Forest Tree Equity score. I
didn't include a map offense
when your packet. This
resource shows that string
town is 10 degrees hotter.
Then the areas surrounding us
that includes campus. The left
Hawthorne, all the areas
directly around us 10 degrees
cooler. That the area that
they're proposing to demolish
is one of the luscious parts
of the neighborhood. When
you're there, you can notably
feel a difference in
temperature. If you want to
neighborhoods be walkable has
to be walkable. In actuality.
If you get heat stroke, every
time you fly, walk somewhere,
it's not workable. In addition
to this many registering time
residents have no a c were
just one window unit for their
entire home. We also have a
lot of elderly residents and
we desperately need the tree
coverage. Allowing a 91%
reduction in green space and
demolition of 5 heritage
trees. Plus, countless other
smaller trees will have a
massive effect on these
issues. Saplings, no matter
how many simply cannot replace
the benefits offered by large
growth, trees. The city's own
infill housing guidelines,
specifically instruct that had
to treat be protected. The
standard is preservation, not
mitigation. Next slide.
Please. When we were asked
temps right to design around
these 100 plus year old trees.
We were told that it couldn't
be done. This is simply not
true. It projects like
single-family homes or
townhouses are were developed
here. They could easily be
saved. They have very shown
this picture has been growing
since before. Sometimes a part
of Indianapolis like some of
the homes on this lot. It
survived the great 1913, flood
and almost 5 string town off
the map. Next slide. Please.
The militia is not the only
option. There are several
homes being rehabbed currently
in string town. And here's
just one example from less
than a walk away. As you can
see, they had to rebuild
almost the entire structure.
They can be done. Next slide,
please. These are just a few
examples of homes that the
wcdc is built in the area. The
lower pictures on West
Washington, the higher one is
on north pushing. These are
affordable homes that were
built our area. It can be
done. Slide. Please. I won't
read everything here, but this
is a legal standard for any
other code title. 36, the
proposed development violates
every part of it. How much
just touch on a few points
next slide. Please. General
health and welfare. According
2025 near West Health Impact
Assessment. We have a 40%
higher lung cancer rate. 28%
higher copd rate and 9%
higher. One cancer death rate
than the county average. We
need these heritage trees and
the infill housing guidelines
as preservation of significant
trees as direct community
health and welfare benefit.
Stepping down the height of
the building at site. Does not
make it the issues of how high
it something different. I
apologize. The impact on
adjacent property stepped on.
One side is not nullify the
public assets like the
protective you sheds that will
be obstructed. Not only will
the views of downtown skyline
be obstructed. This building
also block substantial amounts
of sunlight from the
surrounding properties as
well. Buildings and local
residential streets and Public
seltzer saucy and want the
most conservative height
restrictions. A violation.
Number 3, peculiar condition
of the land. There are. This
is a standard residential lot.
There are no particular
conditions. Violation for
unnecessary hardship. The only
hardship is that the developer
cannot build 241 units without
variants. That's a business
preference. Not a hardship. My
last slide. 6. Violation.
Number 5, the consistency with
the comprehensive plan. Every
layer of Indianapolis is
planning framework says no to
this development. The pattern
book recommends 5 to 15 units
per acre as well as the near
West. Near West Land use plan
recommending 8 to 15 this
project pros a 71. The
original center caps
residential density at 26
units per acre. This project
is nearly 3 times that. Until
housing guidelines. State that
placing smaller homes next to
to significantly larger scale
structures reduces affordable
housing stock and limits
long-term residents ability to
say neighborhood. Addition to
this, we've been told that
next group. Hopes to have
short-term residents. They
want people have high turnover
rate which leads to more
people. Just neighbor has pass
through. And finally. Project
can do that contradicts all
standards. Considering these
matters. Become the request of
you deny the approval of this
project out right? Last slide,
please. Thank you for your
time. I'd like to finish with
a quote from the near West
Quality of life plan. The near
West Side clean treeline front
porch community with
affordable family homes,
either newly constructed to
compliment this Boulder
neighborhood restored to
preserve the natural wood
floors, glass windows and
other amenities of 100 year
old dwellings. Thank you for
your time. Questions for my
straighter just, you know, run
Yes, PRESIDENT Commissioner,
go ahead. You mention of
pattern book. Yes. Do you have
that pattern book? You have
reference to it. I'm We've I
believe of them to look into
it.
I only have a near West.
Thank you. Play with me today.
I can send an email leave it
on Page 16 of the land use
Trump. Remember from my
presented last time about a
month, totally fine. Have a
separate question for staff.
But just to know that it
exists is important. So thank
you for having reference to
it. I think that will come in
handy later. Thank you. Just
one. List here of. Police
calls, MR. What is it? Is it
to 16 could unions and
currents? 2, 1, 5, McLean is
the address there. Those are
just during that time,
obviously. When it was built
to, I believe last month got
those last 3 ok, thank you.
Course. Front of questions for
him. I'm sure. Thanks, Justin.
Standby will bring back of
queue. Councilor Welcome As i
said earlier. Thank you for
being with great advocate of
the mdc. We appreciate it.
Absolutely. Thank you. Kristin
Jones, 7.14, separate street,
Indianapolis, Indiana for 6,
2, to one. Thank you.
PRESIDENT Done and
commissioners and thank you
for volunteering your time on
nbc Commission. I appreciate
your service to our city. As
you've we have supporters and
remind traitors and this is a
big decision that you have to
make before us. And we've
spent lots of time in our
neighborhood on this in this
came before us. And this is
not new to you. I spent lots
of time with my constituents
store, knocking, making phone
calls to find out what's
important to my community. So
when this came before me. The
project that is before you
today is not the project that
we started. Wes and the annex
group and Misha took a lot of
feedback and they've really
changed the project. And you,
as you've heard about crime,
for instance, the crime
situation. That's where that
impd with the fitness room
came. And so they had a crime
situation. And I heard lots of
feedback from my constituents
about crime. When I would door
knock and I would call and a
string town crime with crime
wasn't a situation. So that's
why I worked with impd and the
campus police to get a
presence and a string town
with the fitness room so is
mutually benefits beneficial
to the community and to the
police department. And so that
put a present. So the
situation that they're talking
about that's happening at the
other one we hope will not
happen. We're trying to find
situations that we can fix. So
when I'm talking to my
constituents and they said
parking is an issue. We worked
with annex group mitigate the
parking situation. So we
really worked hard over the
last 6 to 7 months talking to
the constituents, talking to
the folks to say, okay, what I
know. I understand that when
we bring in something like
this, this is going to be a
sacrifice. This is going to be
a strain on the residents. And
so how can we work with the
community benefits agreement
to get it in writing to come
before you so that you all can
hold them accountable. To help
the community have some sort
of benefit for the sacrifice
that they're gonna have to go
through. You know, whether
it's pave roads. We heard
about walkability soaps to get
some sidewalks to get some
alleys alleys when I'm walking
and I'm knocking doors, its
infrastructure, its
infrastructure,
infrastructure, infrastructure
that I hear about the most. So
for me, I'm talking about
alleys, its sidewalks, its
roads to get repaired. For
that financial component. I'm
not benefiting from that.
Frank. Staples isn't
benefiting from that. It's the
neighborhood. We heard that a
resident needs. Air
conditioners. Residents in
string towns that don't have
air conditioners. So that's
one thing that that money can
go back to directly into the
neighborhood to help those
residents, things that we take
for granted and help those
residents get some air
conditioners to get a real
fixed. That benefit is going
to go directly back into that
neighborhood to help those
residents. And so that's
something that I felt that we
were really I was really proud
of to help work with an x over
those last 6 months working
with that neighborhood to get
that in writing to come before
you to let you all hopefully
help us get those resources
for that neighborhood. And as
you all know, we have a
housing crisis in
Indianapolis. And so this is
this is something that we can
put on the map if you listen
to the hearing examiner
testimony, there was some very
offensive words said. Really
hurt my heart from the rim
months. Traitors, how they
felt about this project. I
certainly don't feel that way.
The other neighborhood
association does not feel that
way. The petitioner does not
feel that way. I feel this is
a good project. I feel it's
something that we can be very
proud of inner city. Really
humbly asking for your your
support because we worked
really hard. And I do know
it's a sacrifice for the
neighborhood, but I think the
community benefits agreement
will help ease some of that
pain that the construction is
going to be. And that
footprint is going to be. So
thank you very much. Questions
for counsel Jones for Yes,
president doing council Jones,
thank you for being Just a
couple of questions about the
other large-scale development
center in the general
vicinity. Yes, it looks like
there's one on 10th in White
River. There's word Michigan
Street in White River. So this
complained of crime. That's a
little further up. 2 words.
Belmont Beach area. What sort
of effect have you seen in the
closer apartment buildings to
this proposed development? So
what mean by effect. So you've
got 2 very large apartment
style developments in near
blocks away from this proposed
one. Different developers. I'm
sure. But are you seeing
increases in crime or any of
these other reports at the
closer ones to versus
complaining about a single
develop, it's just on my
district is a different
district line. However, that's
where that conversation
started. I went to the police
commander with that and I
said, how can we change this?
What can we do? There are the
situations within these
apartment complexes and how do
we change that? And one of the
things that I think you heard
about was security. So its
security getting into the
building, changing the way
that you have to have a key
fob to get into this. The
apartment it was the parking
was internal and then it was
police site. So if you see a
police car, whether they're on
duty or not in the presence
around the apartment complex
that just changes your
mentality, right? You're
probably not gonna commit a
crime. If you see a police car
and that's where the fitness
room. You came into play. And
so Commander Foley and I had
this conversation about
starting that process, he said
he'd seen at work in
different. So I started in a
different complex apartment in
a different area of my
district. And he said, let's
start doing this and let's see
if that helps. And so it's
just an idea that we had in
other areas of my district.
They're asking for police
presence with police cars and
were seen. I did in assisted
living on the east side of my
district and they said you
would not they're having
packages stolen and things
like that. And they Kristin,
you will not believe the
difference that it made just
by having a police car in the
parking lot. Things have
completely stopped. I can't
tell you about like those 2
apartments just because I
don't have the same connection
because it is in my district.
But I can tell you for the
things that I've done, it is
completely change the
mentality. When you have a
police car in the presence in
that area, things to slow
down. And so that's we came.
We thought this will work. It
gives them the opportunity
they can go work out for and
then there's a place kind that
vicinity. Also then there's a
police officer in the
apartment building, right?
Even if they're off duty, they
still are in that apartment
building and also gives the
residents a sense of security,
ok, Ben, work. What are the
boundaries of your district?
Boundaries of my district. So
I go to I go to Troy ago, it
wavers over their Michigan. It
kind of goes up and down. But
I do go to Washington Street,
but I go a little bit north. I
do have stern coming to have a
little bit of Hahnville and
then I go all the way to the
criminal Justice Center go to
Belmont. So it's kind of like
triangle and I have one
precinct in Perry. Ok? Thank
Thank you. Questions for
counsel. Quick question,
please sure. You talked about
donation. For air
conditioners, repairs, things
like that to the neighbors. Is
there a plan in place or there
be some sort of plan in place
for the administration of
that? That would be the
neighborhood association. It
would go through the
neighborhood Association and
the have a plan in place.
Probably the most that would
not have anything. I will not
touch any money will have
anything to do with me. The
have a plan in place for that.
Thank you. Commissioners to
give that we have kind of to
neighborhood associations here
who would have been a straight
path. That they and we are.
The community benefits
agreement was made with the
string town Neighborhood
Association. Final questions
for counsel. Yeah, just one
additional one. There was a
mention about. The
communication timeline. So
with the string town now not
being communicated with in
this same sort of fashion or
poor timing the string Town
neighborhood Association was
communicated with. Can you
speak on why that occurred? So
I can tell you from my aspect.
So when say it broke off,
Stringtown now broke off from
String Town Neighborhood
Association. I made an effort
to reach out and have a
meeting with string town. Now,
folks and I had a time and a
place to meet with them to
continue the conversation
because I am the counselor. I
represent everyone. And we had
and meeting time and a place
like to continue those
conversations and they
canceled that and chose not to
continue the conversation with
me. So they have after. The
last meeting that we had, they
have reached out sense and I
have responded and hopefully
we'll get it back going again.
But they chose not to meet
with me. So that was not on my
aunt. But I cannot I can't for
the other drama that's going
on in the neighborhood. I
can't. Therefore, Kessler,
thank you for being here.
Absolutely. Appreciate your
testimony. Any other
questions? I think we're good.
Think it. Kathleen. Thank you,
PRESIDENT. Don't members of
the commission staff is
recommending approval of both
variances and the vacations
you'll frequently hear staff
reference to come. The
comprehensive plan and the
pattern book in this case this
area is under, has and MR.
We've been in which mentioned
it near West Side neighborhood
land use plan. There are
approximately 9 of those plans
that are scattered throughout
county. Those just for that
neighborhood, there's some
neighborhood plans. That's a
plan that we're looking at
now. It does not include the
pattern book because
frequently excuse me, those
plans. We'll include
development standards and
guidelines in those individual
plans. And again, this
particular location is not
located It is located within
one of those sub area plans,
which is the near West Side
neighborhood land use plan.
And I do know that staff works
very closely with
neighborhoods as they have
developed those plans. But
again. Becomes part of the
comprehensive plan, but it's
separate from the
comprehensive plan because a
specific for that area. The
reason staff again, they
staff's recommendations, as
you know, supports plans,
comprehensive plan in this
case. Staff is supportive of
that near West Side
neighborhood land use plan.
Has already talked about some
of those comments. It is in
the staff report that relates
to the reason for staff
support. It's right for a
shift in use. And because
you've got Washington Street,
you have you have the views
downtown. You have it up. Why?
And then you have the blue
line that is coming through
this area. The plans for this
neighborhood also identifies
the southern portion of this
site. And that's from the
alley to the South. As a
critical area. It talks about
mixed use a multi-family
residence and multi-family
structures rather than
subdividing of single-family
homes into numerous units. So
for these reasons, staff
believes and supports sent
this project would be
appropriate for this
neighborhood because it does
respond to that neighborhood
plan. Getting to of ak Shuns.
And I do want to clarify is
really excuse me. It is not.
There's an error there on the
notice or the description of
the vacation that says all was
a waiver of the assessment of
benefits that should be
stricken from that request
because the petitioners
representative, they've
already engaged. I an
appraisal of those alleys and
the value of those alleys. And
so it will be there will be an
assessment of benefits will be
required to be made in this
and a separate meeting to
follow this one. And there is
a motion an hour earlier at
reference Cent a minute. But
again. Some of these alleys
are not improved. Some have
improved. But in order for
this development to go forward
it will need the vacation of
those alleys. There is a at
staff is again recommending
approval of the vacation.
There is a motion on Page 17
of the staff report and that's
recommended vacation motion.
And again, it talks about the
assessment of benefits that
will be heard in the fall away
in the meeting on JUNE 3rd.
That's what staff is looking
at. Questions for staff.
Welcome back to you, Kathleen.
This one. Can you help me
understand on Page 16? In the
height restriction variance,
request yes. Staff supports
the variance of development
standards for maximum height
of 50 feet. When ordinance and
d a limit to 35. That is
correct. And documents note a
reduction in the height to the
West. Would encourage
consideration of height
restrictions productions in
the North and South. Due to
proximity to existing dwelling
cs. Yes, on Page 19. Says new
building should be respectful
solidly single-family
residential street to the
north and east of the critical
area. And counselor, me should
mention the final bullet point
in his testimony earlier that
the area should take the form
of purpose-built multi-family
structures. Correct. As
mentioned here. He did not
mention that staffs statement
right above it says although
new structures will likely be
tall enough to take advantage
of use, the should not over
existing homes on saucy rising
there in Richmond Street. So
is it that they should not?
And that is. The question of
the height. Difference from 35
to 50. Or is it on Page 16? Is
it? Says that. It's
encouragement of the
consideration. Thank you for
bringing that I would also
tonight neglected to mention
that this isn't an overly
district, a regional center
overlay. So there will be a
separate hearing on this
project for the regional
center approval. And yes, i
know they have been working.
I'm talking about staff the
incentives team has been
working with this developer,
too respect the neighborhood.
And that's why staff put in
there consideration of the
reduction of the height when
you're looking when it abuts
that neighborhood to north as
well as the south. So, yes, we
would like to it be integrated
into the neighborhood. But at
the same time, we also
understand that in order to
provide the service for
affordable housing that we do
need to have a height that is
going to allow for that
development. So, yes, we would
encourage it. But we also
understand that there is the
challenge of integrating it
into that neighborhood. I can
understand that there's a
tension there trying to
maximize square footage in
unit count and all of those
things. But I think my
question is you use the phrase
in the report and the
recommendations for critical
area number 9, that it should
not loom over the existing
home. That is correct. And if
that is perspective, I think
should not is a pretty clear
indication that that is what
should be respected. Yeah, not
merely an encouragement not to
do so well. And I believe that
that's why they are stepping
down the building there to the
West, Ari and but this is in
reference to north and West,
right? I understand that. But
that and that's why staff
would like to see that. That
should be considered as part
of the development of this.
This is as part of this
development in the building
architecture, it needs to
again to guests. Package
should not loom over those
residents there. That to along
that southern boundary as well
as that northern And I think
critically, if you look at the
map. This is not at a major
intersection as is the other 2
development said a little bit
further up Mir blocks on Right
River Parkway. 16 tonight.
Michigan writes, I think even
with respect to that context,
dependent. If you're saying
should not loom over the homes
in a non commercial corridor
like happen, that makes more
sense for the building to be
step back further in the north
and south. Then it currently
presented. Versus it being a
mere recommendation. Yes. And
so I think there should there
should be some additional
conversation about what that
actually looks like in real
life because it doesn't feel
satisfactory here. Yeah, I
agree with that. And the and
that is why Seth, but that
that comment in there just
because we don't want we want
this to be integrated in there
and not loom over that the
neighborhood so we can. Yeah,
it stands currently. It is
not. So I just want to make
that mention, but thank you
for Iraq first. Well, and I do
want to say there will be
another level of review for
the regional center and the
neighborhood will be able to
engage in that. Herring. Also
understood. Thank you federal
questions for staff. Kathleen,
I have one confuse on the
Haitian motion. The language
says that a hearing up on
assessment of benefits to be
held on JUNE 3rd, 2026. Is
that still accurate? That is
correct. Okay. So we're still
yes. The recommended vacation
motion still in play? Yes, it
is. The appraisal of that
vacation has been submitted.
There's just a couple more
documents and need to be
submitted and a ribbon of
which is indicated that those
with we will be ready to go on
JUNE. The surge was the
assessment of benefits on
this. Thank you conclude with
staff is for this project.
Yes, Seth supports both sub
variants and the vacation
petition or you have 5 minutes
rebuttal. Nancy, please reset
the clock. I thank you,
PRESIDENT. Don't I do at this
point there were. Questions I
wanted address directly
Commissioner Lyle and
commissioner West. Both tests
think safety security was part
of that. And I want to
introduce Joyce get more from
an ex to talk about those 2
issues. And then I want to get
to the kind of building scale.
Joyce, you've sworn in. Yes,
please introduce yourself and
your address. Choi Skidmore,
86, 80 medicine Plaza drive
Fishers, Indiana for 6, 0, 3,
8, And with the annex group.
Thank you. Members of the
Commissioner for allow
Commission for allowing us to
present today. I do want to
speak to the safety and we
certainly understand an echo
the concerns for union 16th
Street, however, did want to
point out that while these
projects are in close
proximity to each other, they
are 2 completely distinct
micro neighborhoods. Union
16th is located along the 16th
Street corridor and at
Lafayette Road, which is much
higher crime rate in that
location. Then at string town
or within the string town
neighborhood. I know there was
concern on the comment I made
regarding, you know, lessons
learned this was one of our
first 3 projects was unit at
16th Street. And since then,
we have. Developed 30
successful developments that
are open and operating across
the United within, you know,
since then and and and
development of those 30
operating properties. We've
learned that design is really,
really important to pay
attention to union. A 16th
street has open parking lots.
There is an amenity that is in
each and every building of the
5 buildings on the site. So
the man and amenities Arce
spread out across the site,
which makes it extremely
difficult. Our management team
to make sure that they're
policing those areas. And also
police in the parking lot. So
this design being one building
was controlled parking
internal to the site that will
be gated parking. Also gated 5
access into the building. All
of those things are those
lessons learned that I
mentioned. As I said, next
group has grown quite a bit
since unit at 16th Street.
We've learned had a better
operator properties. We are
working closely with impd on
union a 16th street. We
understand it's a problem in
our property management team
is all over it trying to
figure out a solution. 2 of
the problems that are there. I
also want to speak to the high
turnover rate comment. Yes, I
did make that comment. Our
goal at the annex group is to
make a positive impact on the
people that live work and are
involved in our communities
that positive impact includes
making sure we're trying to
ensure that maybe our
residents don't qualify to
live in low-income housing any
longer because we've helped
them become successful. We've
helped them make more money
help them better. Their
situation so that they no
longer can income qualify and
they can go live in market
rate communities for own their
own home. So that is our goal
at the annex group. So
commissioner, while used or
tension and it was a good
because there is that there is
a tension. There's a tension
between bringing density and
what's necessary to support
affordable housing, project
like this one. Trying to be
sensitive the existing single
family residential israels.
The property. There's also the
uniqueness of this site along
the White River where you have
a reason to have some height
along the east. I think these
are recognize that. But you
have on the north at least and
the south, some single family
residential that that's had a
lower height. What we
originally started this
project and what mre or cannot
remember this because it was
so long ago actually had a 5
story building. And it was
staff's feedback to us that.
Bring the hike down on the
west where you have the most
single family. Reduce the
height on the east as much as
you can. And that's what we've
done. I can tell you that as I
started, you have to have a
certain amount of density to
support affordable housing
project. And we're at the
we're as thin as you can get.
So we talk with staff about
working as hard as we can on
modifications to the
architecture, the building to
try to bring the scaled down a
bit. And we will continue to
have those conversations with
staff. As Kathleen indicated,
we have to go through the
regional center approval
process. And so there is check
and balance or an accounting
accounting on for that. But
I'm telling you to bring in
affordable housing. Thank
Council your time to have that
questions for the petitioner.
Final questions for the
petitioner. Hearing. None.
Thank you, counselor Monster
Jesse of 5 minutes for
rebuttal. Please reintroduce
yourself and go. Thank Jessi
bomb 3, 3, 4 North elder Reza
presenting Stringtown Now
Neighborhood Association. I
want to note a few things that
came up during the questions,
the proximity to the zoo and
it I wouldn't. And I would
just like to note that the
land is on was formerly
stringtown. We were had 70
acres of homes taken when the
zoo was built and the rope was
moved. So we've already lost a
substantial chunk of our
neighborhood and referenced. I
up why we all know the ransom
place used to be a
neighborhood that existed
there, chipping away at our
neighborhood will result in
the same end goal. Our
neighborhood is not a blank
slate for someone else's
dreams. Density need for
affordable housing does not
negate that we are
neighborhood that deserves to
be treated with respect and
again, we are poor and working
class community. We're not
against affordable housing.
We're not against density were
not spreading buildings. Given
many examples of what we
absolutely fine with us. In
terms of joy saying that it's
completely different
neighborhood unit. 16th. I
mean, that's kind of
interesting because councilor
John said that other areas of
her district having police
come on their off time works.
So why does not apply one
person but not the other? So
it's a different place,
different place, different
things I would also say that
in reference to that it that
safety plan relies on the idea
that police officers come
there and their off time. What
if they don't? They have no
requirement to. And I also. If
they're working out, are they
supposed to stop a crime in
the middle of doing reps or
just in that kind of an
interesting situation? In
terms of what counselor John
said about our meeting was not
with me was with another
person in my group. Addition
to that, it was canceled due
to scheduling and was just
never rescheduled. She knew
that we are neighborhood
association at existing is
active in the neighborhood.
And again, we are registered
with the city. There's no
reason we should have been
left out of those
conversations. And I do
actually have a timeline. With
Christine Jones DECEMBER 8th
was the first one, with
planning staff DECEMBER 16th
meeting with String Town
Neighborhood Association and
counselor Jones DECEMBER 22nd
meeting with String Town
Neighborhood Association
Council Jones MARCH 10th. And
then the meeting, the String
town neighborhood
associations, APRIL 13th. By
that point, Christian Jones
had already written her a
letter of support and
submitted it. So when was this
community engagement for to
happen? In addition to no one
besides string town now should
strengthen the Association
requested money or a shed. We
don't want those things. We
want our neighborhood. Last
thing. I want to just remind
everyone that we again, her
not to get posed to
multi-family housing. We're
not opposed to new neighbors.
We're not opposed anything
like that. We just want things
that fit into a neighborhood.
It makes sense. Don't harm us
in terms of traffic, more
money or pollution. Thank you.
Questions for Monster. Thank
you, Jesse. Thank much.
Members of the commission go
your ballot and as you go to
your ballots. Under statute,
I'm going to read in the first
motion for vacation. Which is
a new year. 2026. Cvc 803. The
Metropolitan Development
Commission's find the proposed
vacations are in the public
interest that hearing up on
the assessment of benefits to
be held on JUNE 3rd, 2026.
That the Metropolitan
Development Commission come
from ratify the adoption of
the declaratory resolution
2026. Cvc 803. And that the
vacation be subject to the
rights of public utilities
under I see 36 dash, 7 dash 3
dash 16, MR. Robinson Cano his
second. Thank you. Go to your
ballots. You have 2 votes. On
the variants, one of the
vacation.
Chris, we have the
companion variance 2026 ebr
803. There to Ix. There are 8
ballots cast. And there were
7. Yes, cheese be. There were
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, yes votes.
One, no vote. And one recusal.
This petition has been
approved. The next petition is
companion vacation 2026 e d c
803. In Mendon. Again, there
were 8 ballots. There were 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, yes votes. One,
no vote. And one recusal. This
petition has also been
improved. The petition has
been passed. Thank you for a
revised participation. Please
leave quietly. Nancy, can you
read the next hearing into the
record? Yes, Thank next
petitions for public hearing
or a Senate companion
petitions transfer from the
hearing examiner for an
initial hearing 2026 easy in
8, 1, 4, 2026. Ebr 8, 1, 4,
14. 38 East Washington street.
Senate Township Council
District, 13 Damian Center
incorporated by Joseph t
called run, requesting
rezoning 0.3, 8, 9, acre from
the him. You won t o d and ut
him. You too. T od districts.
2 they Di d district for
immediate apartment
development also requesting a
variance to development
standards of the Consolidated
Zoning subdivision ordinance
to provide for 10 parking
spaces. Inman minimum of 21
parking spaces required. Well,
all those intended to testify
on these petitions this
afternoon, either for or
against anybody else going to
speak and testify. Please
stand now released major, why
hands and police Thank you. Do
you swear or affirm and
openai's uprooting to tell the
truth and nothing. But the
truth I do. Thank you.
Councilor welcome. Let me walk
through the rules of
engagement. I do not see any
reminds traders here. Is that
correct? Council will give you
15 minutes to present. The
petition case. Thank you all.
Then again, ask for reminds
traders. I don't see any I
will then go to staff. I also
don't see any city council
members here come back to you
for any rebuttal that's
necessary. And then take a
vote. You're on the clock
Thank you. Good afternoon.
PRESIDENT Dylan members of the
commission show called or
attorney with offices at 11
South Meridian here in
Indianapolis. And I'm proud
today to present behalf of the
Damian Center Anke. Truly one
of the shining jewels and our
not for profit world providing
important services to our
community. And this case
relates directly to their
ability and their mission to
do that. I had not realized
until got engaged that amongst
other things. The Damian
Center does. It does have
housing component in terms of
offering services for those
who need it within that
community in that population,
clients that they serve. So
the Damian Center, it's a
petitioner in this matter. We
are here today very similarly
to the last case because this
is a matter that we'll be
going before the I-8 cda in
JULY. So we we had asked the
hearing examiner and staff if
they would support a direct
transfer of this case to the
mdc so that we could meet. I
see deadlines and this enabled
us to appear before you today
and potentially get in front
of City County Council for
their meeting in JUNE. What
we're proposing today and I do
have Alan Witchy and Alexandra
under from Damian Center here
is well as the developer
recounts in the lane. A color
from a okay development that
are here to answer questions.
I got pulled into kind of
early part of the spring. And
already been conversations
initiated between the
development team and staff.
And as you probably heard
Nancy Reed. The case into
record, the site u One and u 2
zoning. The project that we're
proposing today is not a mixed
use project. It's a housing
project that would provide 39
to 42 units of permanent
supportive housing. So we
didn't really need to. You
want you too? In talking with
planning staff? We asked what
would be the most appropriate
zoning classifications because
frankly, this type of building
and fit in any one of a number
of zoning classifications. And
the response was ball.
Whatever is going to generate
the less least amount of
variances. So with this
particular project, we believe
that we can get this done with
only one variance request and
that is for parking spaces.
But frankly, because we're
right on the blue line and so
close to downtown and services
are parking demand for this
project is not significant for
those of you who are not
familiar with the site, it's
just a little bit more than a
mile east of where we are
today on east Washington
Street right next to kind of
the beautiful new building
that in Centreville. That
Oriental and Washington, this
particular parcel, which is
partially improved. It is
located closer to Arsenal.
There's coffee shop of the
corner of Arsenal. Washington.
So you can see that kind of
flag didn't have one on the
aerial. Tattoos. Just a zoning
map which shows kind of the Mu
one. And m u 2 zoning
classifications for the site.
There's a variety of
commercial even industrial
mixed use and residential all
in the area. What you might
expect, it's highly urbanized
and lots of a variety of
different uses along this part
of the corridor. Now, the
interesting thing for you
guys, as decision makers to
know is that what we're
proposing is really right down
the middle of the plate. As
far as the comprehensive plan
is concerned and that he owed
the plan, which does want to
drive higher density type
housing, even though we have
39 42 units were only on 4
tenths of an acre. So. This is
kind of that development that
both that he od and the
existing conference of plan
for urban next use calls for
and we're very grateful to
have staff support. If you
turn to tab 3, 4, you can kind
of see our site plan that we
filed. Which shows an urban
setting. Pull with the
building, pulled up to the
close of the building line and
sidewalk line as well as the
parking in the back. So that
is going to be the emphasis
will be on building and not
parking. The. Plan. Immedately
is not fully developed like
the last plan presented was
because this is kind of an
evolving project. Now. The
built-in protection that you
have. As far as the commission
is concerned with regards our
plans, if you turn to tab 5
staff was gracious enough to
allow us to commit to
submitting final site plan and
building elevations 2 at 4
minutes. Traders approval
before we get permit. Lp, I
should say, for the project
and then the second commitment
which you can find it 5
relates to the fact that
because such a tight
environment with sidewalk and
building pulled right up to
Washington Street. Plus
Washington Street undergoing
changes as the transit
stations are being
implemented. Utility
relocation, a whole host of
things. We have agreed to work
with dpw on creating a
pedestrian safety plan that
would be implemented
throughout the period of
construction along East
Washington Street in that
area. For those of you who are
not familiar with the kind of
the existing conditions on
this section of Washington
Street Tab. 6 has a number of
a street photos beginning with
the building and question as
well as the lot that would be
developed as part of this
project. But what I really
want to turn to you, your
attention to is the second
photo and tab 6. And that's
the newly completed Davion
Center building. You can see
the high quality materials,
the beautiful architecture,
and that's really what you're
going to be able to expect
with this project. This is
campus that Damian Centers
created. This will help fill
that out a little bit. And
we're very grateful to
engagement with Holy Cross
Neighborhood Council Brown did
email me and said he was
supportive of the project. He
wanted to hear from Holy
Cross. And I know that that
Allen, which he had met with
them doesn't we don't have a
letter from a lacrosse, but he
assures me that we do have
their support. There was
another e-mail that I think
was sent to staff that is in
the file. So as you notice, we
don't have any room on
straight ers. We believe we
have pretty comprehensive
support, including that from
your staff. Happy to answer
any questions you MAY have.
Thank you. Questions for the
petitioner as general
contractor been selected. Yes.
Well, if you sign not the
contractor, we just have the
developer. Please come to the
podium, sir. Please introduce
yourself or your address. My
name is Allen, which she
presidency of Gaming Center.
My home address is 6, 8, 0, 4,
Kirkwood. Thanks, Ellen. You
were duly sworn yes, thank We
have not selected a general
contractor yet. We do have a
developing part, a developer
partner and we have an
architect. Other questions,
please just one simple
question PRESIDENT Doing. The
current building that stands
is not to be demolished. It
has to be is us okay. That
wasn't. Thank Thank you so
much. On second counts.
Questions for petitioner by
good. Staff. Thank you.
PRESIDENT Dylan members of the
commission's staff is
supporting this. And again,
I'm bringing in the
comprehensive plan
Reccomendation a village mixed
use. The other planned falls
and here is the tld strategic
plan. And staff believes that
this project is is compliant
and allies with both of those
plans and getting back to the
comprehensive plans. As you
know. And Commissioner Lyle is
brought up. There's a pattern
book and on page, 49 of the
staff report, it talks about
those development standards
that are recommended their
guidelines and recommendations
for development. In addition
to that on Page 50, there are
also some additional the devil
out development stands that
are included in the dod plan
for this. For this area of
over lie. And again, the staff
believe this is is appropriate
for this. And make my comments
very brief. And if you have
any questions. Questions for
staff. Commissioner Rob Son.
And you still want the
commitments that you have here
on Yes. Thank you for
reminding me that yes, staff
is recommending approval
subject to those 2
commitments. So thank you.
Other questions from Members
of Commission. Thank you,
Commissioner Robinson for
pointing that out. Councilor
rebuttal. No rebuttal
PRESIDENT Bill. And just for
the commission's benefit.
Damian senators already signed
the commitments and tender
them. So we're good to go on
that front. We're appreciative
the time today and your
consideration. Thank you. In a
records show, there were on
strangers. Members of the
commission. Please go to your
do about one for rezoning one
for variants.
2026. Easy. And
8, 1, 4, which a rezoning
petition. There were 8 ballots
cast. 8, yes votes. This
petition has been approved.
And then for the companion
variant Strategy, 6 ev or 8,
1, 4, Again, there are 8
balance casts. Yes votes. This
petition has also been
improved. PRESIDENT Today,
come back up, please, You're
from has a great reputation.
Do a great job in this
project, the neighborhood
really needs So we appreciate
your extra eye on it, but
thank you for You're doing in
the community. He has been
great. Thank you. Take care,
Congratulations on a crew.
Thank you. Appreciate everyone
around. Can I get a motion to
So moved everyone. Enjoy the
Memorial Day weekend and let's
hope it doesn't rain as much