The Metropolitan Development Commission on Oct. 15 approved 2025ZON106, a City of Indianapolis petition to add overflow-shelter and related uses at 2424–2606 North Tibbs Avenue, by an 8-0 roll-call vote.

The rezoning covers about 14.7 acres and adds uses that would allow the existing Noble of Indiana warehouse on the site to operate as a family overflow shelter, a single-men’s overflow shelter, an emergency shelter during severe weather, and a storage/distribution site for furniture used in transitioning people into permanent supportive housing. “We are respectfully asking for the commission’s approval of this request as it is vital to addressing a critical threat to the city's homeless population during the winter seasons and inclement weather events,” Andrew Merkley, director of the Office of Public Health and Safety, told commissioners.

Why it matters: city staff and the petitioner said the measure increases shelter capacity during peak need. Merkley said the Office of Public Health and Safety — created by Mayor Joe Hogsett and charged with coordinating homelessness response — will partner with local providers including Wheeler Mission and Aspire Indiana Health to operate the site and provide on-site services. Merkley said the site will also hold furniture and “moving kits” to help people transition into housing.

Staff position and logistics: Marlena, a Department of Metropolitan Development staff member who answered commissioners’ procedural questions, said staff did not object to the added uses. Merkley said posted and published notices met the 23-day requirement but that mailed notices were one day late; the commission earlier granted a one-day waiver of the mailed-notice requirement for this petition.

Transportation and operations: Merkley said an IndyGo bus route already serves the site twice daily and the city is working with IndyGo to increase frequency. The petitioner described the site as an existing warehouse with blank floor space; the plan is to set up “pods” of furniture for families, add shower trailers for hygiene and create kitchen space from existing interior rooms.

Public comment and oversight: No remonstrators opposed the petition; David Kenyon, an urban planner, spoke in support and said the location would have “very little impact on the surrounding neighborhoods and the surrounding commercial areas.” Commissioners asked about how the city would decide whether the site operates as a family shelter, a men’s shelter or for storage; Merkley said use will be “circumstantial” and driven by need during weather events, flooding or other emergencies.

Votes and motions: Earlier in the meeting the commission granted a one-day waiver of mailed notices for 2025ZON106 (motion by Commissioner Schumacher; second by Commissioner Robinson), and later approved the rezoning petition (motion by President Dillon; seconded; roll call yes: Herget, Lyle, Moriarty, Murphy, Robinson, Schumacher, West, Dillon; outcome approved 8-0).

Next steps: With the commission’s approval, the city may use the Noble facility for winter contingency and other emergency uses under the newly authorized zoning. The petition and the one-day waiver were entered into the minutes for Oct. 15.