Hearing examiner recommends approval for 8‑unit infill apartment at Rocco Street despite staff reservations

The hearing examiner recommended approval Thursday of a rezoning request to reclassify three parcels on Ruckel (Rocco) Street from D5 to D8 to permit construction of an eight‑unit multifamily building.

Attorney David Gilman and developer Paradigm representatives presented an architectural plan that consolidates sites to build a single eight‑unit structure with varied façades, porches, recessed upper levels and landscaping designed to break down perceived massing. The design places four units facing East 30th Street and four facing Ruckle so the building maintains a residential street presence on both frontages.

Supporters — including the Mapleton‑Fall Creek Development Corporation, Midtown Indy and Councilor Ron Gibson — submitted letters praising the project as a missing‑middle/infill solution that advances neighborhood housing diversity. David Bacon, CEO of the Mapleton‑Fall Creek Development Corporation, told the hearing examiner the neighborhood historically contains a mix of duplexes and small multifamily buildings and that the proposed design supports economic diversity.

Staff opposed the rezoning, citing the D5 district’s allowance for 2–4 unit multi‑unit houses and arguing the proposed D8 rezoning would alter the prevailing development pattern and could amount to spot zoning. Staff noted alternatives — building two four‑unit structures or using a D5 allowable pattern with accessory units — that could achieve density while meeting existing development standards.

The hearing examiner found the petitioner’s architectural approach addressed infill guidelines on massing, façade articulation and pedestrian connectivity, and recommended approval of 2025 ZON 007. The matter will be considered by the Metropolitan Development Commission on April 2.