Speedway BZA continues hearing on proposed 14–15-space parking lot at 4914 W. 15th after large public turnout

The Speedway Board of Zoning Appeals on April 2, 2025 continued consideration of a petition to convert a residential lot at 4914 West Fifteenth Street into an off-street parking lot for Main Street retail uses.

Petitioner Bowman Elder said the acquisition and conversion are intended to supplement parking for Main Street retailers and that the original site plan (as submitted) would create “at least 15 more spaces.” Several residents and preservation advocates opposed the petition at the hearing, saying demolition and conversion would damage the fabric of the Old Speedway historic district, remove a contributing historic house and increase noise, lighting and traffic impacts in a residential area.

Janet Folan, vice president of the Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association, read a statement describing the neighborhood as a nationally recognized historic district and warned that “creating a parking lot in what is a residential home lot will negatively impact the neighborhood environment.” City-County Councillor Jessica McCormick, who represents the area, told the board: “We do not have a parking issue. We have a housing issue.”

Calvin Wynne, Indianapolis and Marion County preservation coordinator for Indiana Landmarks, told the board that “4914 West Fifteenth Street has been designated by the National Park Service as a contributing resource to the Speedway National Historic District” and urged the board to weigh the impact to the district’s residential fabric. Other residents cited recent tree removals, lost privacy fencing, the potential for late-night noise and long-term erosion of neighborhood character if houses are demolished for parking.

Staff planner Mitch Rector noted technical concerns about the petition documents: the application referenced the SZ1 (Speedway Main Street) district but the property is in a D5 dwelling district, and he said a variance of use would implicate dimensional standards tied to house types in D5. Rector told the board he recommended postponing consideration to allow staff and the petitioner to resolve outstanding notice and dimensional questions.

After public comment, the board voted to continue the petition to the May 7, 2025 hearing. The transcript records the board taking a motion and second to continue and calling the roll in favor; the chair announced the continuance to May 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the same location.

No final zoning determination was made; the item will return on May 7 with opportunity for staff clarifications and additional public comment.