Land Use Report, January 7, 2015

Posted January 11, 2015

Committee Members Present: Justin Kingen, David Gorden, Eileen Hack, Mary Owens, Erin Kelley, Ivan Barratt, Nick Colby, Mike Boaz, Bill Blue

Others Present: Nora Spitznogle (first case only), Novella Nedeff (first case only), Caroline Farrar

Below is a summary of recent cases reviewed and their status.

114 East 49th Street

Transfer of Location: Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Permit RR49-28398 from 225 W. Washington St. (Patachou on the Park) to 114 E. 49^th. St. (Napolese)

Petitioner Martha Hoover and her attorney Murray Clark presented their plans to transfer Patachou on the Park’s (downtown) 3-way liquor license (beer/wine/spirits) to the Meridian-Kessler Napolese location which currently has a 2-way liquor license (beer/wine). Demand exists at the Napolese location more than it does at the downtown business. Napolese hours are not changing; the establishment will maintain its focus as a restaurant with no intent to promote itself as a bar. Input was provided by the Land Use’s sub-committee on alcohol permits. The committee voted unanimously to approve the request.

This case will be heard by the Marion County Local Alcoholic Beverage Board on January 20, 2015 at 9:30am. This meeting will be held in Room #260 of the City-County Building (200 E. Washington St, Indianapolis).

4186 North Broadway Street/Kaleidoscope Youth Center

Curt Churchman, Petition #2014-UV1-037

Variance of use of the Special Zoning Ordinance to provide for an art/rug gallery with related retail sales and services.

The land use committee heard from Curt Churchman, owner Fine Estate Art & Rugs, regarding his plans to convert the former Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) into an art and fine rugs gallery, and conservation/cleaning location. The committee spent a great deal of time discussing what the variance could mean for the neighborhood long term. The “special use” zoning designation was meant to preserve this section of MK as an educational/service-focused node. Since retail businesses can change a neighborhood feel (lighting was a question as was the eventual disposition of the park-like section of the property), the committee voted 5-4 to deny the variance.

This case will be heard by the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals on February 3, 2015 at 1pm in the Public Assembly Room (second floor) of the City-County Building (200 E. Washington St, Indianapolis).

522 East 51st Street

Litz & Eaton Investments, Petition #2014-DV1-062

Variance of Development Standards to construct a garage addition to a dwelling creating an aggregate side setback of 2.5’ (13’ setback required) and creating an open space of 45% (minimum 65% required).

Petitioner Brad Litz presented renderings and specs of the garage plan. Neighbors were in attendance and expressed concern that the size and scale of the garage was out of context with adjacent homes. Homes along 51st St. typically have 1 car detached garages set behind the residences rather than an attached two-car front loading garage with a continuous front setback as the primary residence. Compromise suggestions were given (ex: one-car detached garage) but Mr. Litz expressed concerns buyers would not be satisfied. Over concerns this plan does not consider infill guidelines, the committee voted unanimously to deny the variance.

Other Business

All business needing a vote having concluded, the committee briefly discussed neighbor concerns regarding IMH Products expansion near 46^th & Winthrop. IMH runs multiple shifts especially in warmer weather and noise pollution is a growing concern. IMH has a hearing with the Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 3, 2015.

Mary Owens provided background on Meridian Kessler’s prior attempts to create “Conservation Districts.” She stressed the need to maintain balance between a family’s desire to renovate their home with preserving the historical and architectural integrity of MK. Conversation Districts are less strident than Historical Districts and their guidelines are largely created by neighbors themselves. Mary is seeking volunteers to join an ad hoc committee that would define the boundaries of one or two pilot Conversation Districts and then research and gather community input on what the guidelines in those districts should be. Presumably, committee members would then help prepare the designation application and work with the city on how the designation would be monitored.