Planned development for medical education group recommended favorably after neighborhood outreach; district commissioner seeks more engagement

The Shelby County Land Use, Planning, Transportation and Codes Committee recommended approval of a planned development (case PD2025-001CO) for land on South Forest Hill Irene Road to allow an office and storage facility for the Medical Education & Research Institute (MARI).

DPD presentation and uses. Chloe Christian of the Division of Planning and Development told the committee the site is currently zoned conservation agriculture and is mostly vacant; the applicant proposes a metal building for storage of medical equipment and whole-body donations and limited office use. DPD staff concluded the proposal is consistent with the Unified Development Code and found no undue adverse impacts to the neighborhood. Staff recommended approval with outline plan conditions.

Neighborhood meetings and concerns. Commissioner Shontay Sugarman pressed the applicant and DPD about neighborhood outreach, arguing that a single attendee at a neighborhood meeting was insufficient notice for residents and asking that the case be moved to the next committee meeting until further community outreach could occur. Applicant Blair Parker said the notice radius was expanded so the required 25 property owners were notified, that a single neighbor initially raised concerns but was satisfied after follow-up meetings, and that the site is bordered primarily by a contractor storage yard, a church and a veterans cemetery rather than dense single-family housing.

Applicant comments. Jason Owens, representing MARI, described the nonprofit as a hands-on surgical training center that operates a whole-body donor program and trains physicians and medical professionals. Owens said the organization has outgrown its Cleveland Street location and needs expanded facilities for training and storage to support local medical education and partnerships with institutions such as the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Committee outcome. After debate and a failed motion to defer, the committee recorded votes that produced 5 ayes, 1 no, 1 abstention, sending the ordinance forward with a favorable recommendation to the full commission. At least one commissioner emphasized continuing outreach to adjacent property owners after committee approval.

Ending: Planning staff and the applicant said they would continue outreach and to work with the sponsoring commissioner on additional constituent outreach; the case will proceed to the full commission as recommended by the committee.