The Indianapolis City-County Council on June 9 confirmed a rezoning that allows a Davis Homes subdivision on a 61-acre parcel at 7500 South Sherman Drive after a public hearing that drew more than 950 petition signatures opposing the plan.

The council voted 16 yeas, 7 nays and 1 abstention to adopt the Metropolitan Development Commission's recommendation and move the petition forward subject to a set of developer commitments. The petitioner revised the plan during the process and reduced the lot count to about 132 units while preserving roughly 32 acres of open space on the 61-acre site, the developer and staff said.

Why it matters: The site is one of the remaining large fragments of urban forest and wetlands on Indianapolis' South Side. Residents and environmental groups urged the council to deny rezoning and asked the city to use public funds to acquire the parcel for permanent green space. Supporters said the developer's plan protects more site features than a straight rezoning to suburban residential and produces new housing.

What the plans would allow

- Developer and staff materials presented to the council state the final plan reduces the lot count to roughly 132 lots (about 2.1 units per acre) and preserves approximately 32 acres of open space and about 8 acres of wetlands within the preserved area.
- Homes proposed in the plan were described as ranging roughly from 1,400 to 2,300 square feet.
- The petitioner described the development as a cluster subdivision intended to minimize impervious surface, reduce the number of streets and preserve contiguous open space and tree stands. The plan eliminated proposed through-streets to reduce cut-through traffic after neighborhood concerns.

Public hearing and main arguments

Residents, neighborhood representatives and environmental groups pressed the council to deny the rezoning, arguing the property functions as an urban forest and a multi-acre wetland complex that significantly reduces local flooding risk and provides wildlife habitat. Jocelyn Mappas, speaking for more than 950 petition signers, said the plan would "permanently destroy one of the last remaining urban forests on the South Side" and warned that logging or other agricultural uses could follow if the city declines purchase or protection measures.

Developer response and commitments

Brad Davis, president of Davis Homes, and attorney Russell Brown (Clark Quinn) presented the petitioner's case and stressed the plan's preserved open space and wetlands. Jeff Jenks, representing the estate that owns the land, said the sellers had rejected other offers and that if the rezoning were not approved the estate might pursue agricultural uses, including timbering or grazing, that could remove trees.

The petitioner offered multiple revisions and commitments through the approval process. The Metropolitan Development Commission unanimously recommended approval. The final plan shown to the council included commitments to preserve significant open space and wetlands and to limit through traffic with cul-de-sacs.

Council debate and recusal

Councilor Dilk, whose district includes the parcel and who called the matter down for a hearing, said the choice was difficult but that he favored the revised plan, noting the city lacks the funds on the evening's agenda to buy the property outright. Councilor Bain recused himself from discussion and the vote because he said he is under contract with the developer for his own residence; his abstention was recorded.

The vote and next steps

The council's confirmation of the MDC decision was subject to the developer's commitments and will allow the petitioner to proceed with subdivision approvals consistent with the commitments. Several speakers and environmental organizations said they will continue to pursue options to preserve the land, including outreach to funders and potential future acquisition. The seller's counsel noted probate-court orders authorizing the personal representative to sell the property.

Clarifying details

- Parcel size: ~61 acres.
- Open space preserved under commitments: ~32 acres.
- Wetlands on site: approximately 10 acres identified in technical studies; plan commitments preserve roughly 8 acres.
- Lot count after revisions: ~132 lots (density ~2.12 units per acre).
- Vote on confirmation of MDC decision and adoption of petition: 16 yeas, 7 nays, 1 abstention.

Speakers (attribution whitelist)

- Brad Davis — President, Davis Homes (petitioner representative)
- Russell Brown — Attorney, Clark Quinn (counsel for petitioner)
- Jeff Jenks — Attorney for the personal representative of the estate (petitioner representative)
- Jocelyn Mappas — Resident and lead remonstrator (public commenter)
- Amanda Nick Stant — Resident, McFarland Farms (public commenter)
- Mary Bookwalter — Public commenter and Indiana Forest Alliance supporter
- Councilor Dilk — District councilor (called the matter down for a hearing)
- Councilor Bain — Councilor (recused due to contract with developer)

Authorities referenced

- City-County Council rules, Section 151-79 (public-hearing procedure for rezoning matters certified by the Metropolitan Development Commission) — referenced by the chair when calling the hearing
- Metropolitan Development Commission certification (zoning case ZON-144 / MDC recommendation) — certified to council for confirmation
- Probate court orders authorizing the personal representative to sell the property — referenced by petitioner's counsel

Actions

- Motion to confirm Metropolitan Development Commission decision and adopt the petition (rezoning case ZON-144 / Proposal 170): mover: Councilor Dilk; outcome: approved 16 yeas, 7 nays, 1 abstention (Councilor Bain recused); notes: adoption is subject to the developer's commitments as submitted to council.

Provenance

- topicintro evidence excerpt: "The next item on our agenda is to pose a number 170... located at 7500 South Meridian Drive" (meeting transcript block starting at 7253.325 seconds).
- topfinish evidence excerpt: "That motion carries 16 yeas, 7 nays, and 1 abstention." (meeting transcript block starting at 12335.17 seconds).

Searchable tags: ["rezoning","ZON-144","Davis Homes","McFarland Farms","urban forest","wetlands","Perry Township"]

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