Floodplain administrator's denial of Wingstop tenant permit opposed at appeal hearing; board to issue written decision

The City of Indianapolis Board of Business and Neighborhood Services on July 1 heard an administrative appeal over a floodplain development permit for tenant improvements at 3325 Kentucky Ave, a retail strip center where a Wingstop unit sought permit approval.

Jessica Finley, attorney for Core Marwood Plaza LLC, said the proposed tenant improvement is less than 3,000 square feet and argued it should be treated as a non-substantial improvement under the flood damage prevention ordinance because its estimated cost ($150,000–$200,000) is well below 50% of the building’s market or assessed value. Finley said the strip center totals about 107,080 square feet with 17 units and noted the owner purchased the property in 2023 before the city’s July 2024 ordinance update. The owner’s position, she said, is that an interior tenant improvement should not require elevating or flood proofing the entire building.

Alena Jones, the City of Indianapolis floodplain administrator (Department…