Metropolitan Development Commission approves conveyances, zoning petitions and extends Ray's Bio tax-abatement closing date

The Metropolitan Development Commission approved a package of property conveyances, a grants-administration contract and a personal property tax-abatement amendment during a meeting where multiple items were approved with little debate.

Acting President Garver opened the business that included five policy resolutions and one resolution scheduled for public hearing. Staff read the resolutions into the record, including authorization for the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) to sell or convey several city-owned parcels and to enter a contract with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation for grants-administration services.

The commission approved the following policy resolutions without discussion: a resolution (2025 R016) authorizing DMD to sell property at 2620 North Harding Street to Roots International for proposed redevelopment; a resolution (2025 R018) authorizing DMD to convey title or an option to purchase certain properties to Habitat for Humanity and Westside Community Development Corporation to support affordable housing; a resolution (2025 R019) authorizing conveyance of property at 2860 North Euclid Avenue as part of a plan to develop a neighborhood park; a resolution (2025 R020) authorizing DMD to accept title at no cost to certain property near the Monon Trail from the Parks Department for redevelopment; and a resolution (2025 R021) authorizing DMD to contract with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation for grants-administration services through Aug. 31, 2026, with a contract amount not to exceed $300,000. Commissioners moved and seconded the group approval and the roll call showed unanimous recorded support among members present.

During the sole public-hearing item, staff presented resolution 2025 A017 seeking an amendment to a 2022 personal property tax abatement previously approved by resolution 2022A028 for Raise Bio LLC at 5850 West Eightieth Street in Pike Township. Sherry Orr, principal program manager for Economic Incentives at DMD, said, “This, today's amendment, extends the ERA closing date from 12/31/2024 to 12/31/2027 to allow installation of new equipment purchased within the tax abatement period. Raise Bio has been in full compliance with their jobs, wages, and real investment commitments, and staff is recommending approval of this amendment.” The commission voted to approve the amendment on a motion by Commissioner Murphy and a second from Commissioner West; the roll call recorded affirmative votes from the commissioners present.

On procedural items, staff acknowledged a withdrawal request for agenda item 15 filed by Jennifer Milliken of Ice Miller LLP on behalf of the petitioner. The commission also granted a continuance for petition 2025 CAP 804 (324 West Morris Street and 325 Wilkins Street) to the May 21, 2025 hearing to allow additional time for filing commitments; a motion to continue was moved by Commissioner Herget and seconded by Commissioner Lyle and approved by roll call.

The commission next considered zoning petitions recommended for approval by the hearing examiner. Nancy read seven petitions recommended for approval (including 2025MOD001 at 4021 West 701st Street and several ZON/CAP items across Center, Pike and Wayne townships). The commissioners voted to approve the petitions as a group on a motion and second; roll-call votes recorded support from the commissioners present.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of minutes for the 04/16/2025 meeting: motion approved by roll call (members recorded as voting yes in the transcript). - Continuance: Petition 2025 CAP 804 (324 West Morris St; 325 Wilkins St) — continued to May 21, 2025 (motion: Commissioner Herget; second: Commissioner Lyle; outcome: continued). - Withdrawal: Item 15 — petitioner requested withdrawal (requested by Jennifer Milliken, Ice Miller LLP; outcome: withdrawal acknowledged). - Policy resolutions approved (group): 2025 R016; 2025 R018; 2025 R019; 2025 R020; 2025 R021 (motion: Commissioner Moriarty; second: Commissioner Robinson; outcome: approved). - Public hearing resolution approved: 2025 A017 — amendment to 2022 personal property tax abatement for Raise Bio LLC (location: 5850 West Eightieth Street, Pike Township) extending closing date to Dec. 31, 2027 (motion: Commissioner Murphy; second: Commissioner West; outcome: approved). - Zoning petitions approved (group): 2025MOD001, 2025ZON013, 2025ZON018, 2025ZON023, 2025ZON026, 2025ZON028, 2025CAP800 (motion: Commissioner Herget; second: Commissioner Lyle; outcome: approved).

Context and next steps

Staff said the Raise Bio amendment was recommended because the company has met its commitments for jobs, wages and investment and needs additional time to install equipment eligible under the abatement. The DMD contract with Local Initiatives Support Corporation is set to run through Aug. 31, 2026, with a budget cap of $300,000. The continued petition will return to the commission on May 21, 2025 to allow filing of the required commitments.

The meeting concluded after the remaining agenda items were approved and the commission adjourned.