Meridian Kessler neighbors seek continuance for construction variance hearing

The City Council of Indianapolis convened on April 8, 2025, for a meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Division 2, addressing several petitions and requests for continuances. The primary focus of the meeting was on petition number 2025DV2-007, concerning a proposed construction project at 5734 North New Jersey Street.

The meeting began with a request from the homeowners, represented by a neighbor, for a continuance to allow more time for discussions with the contractor and other neighbors about the potential impacts of the construction. The homeowners expressed concerns about the complexity of the project and the need for a neighborhood meeting to address these issues. They indicated that scheduling conflicts had delayed their discussions until the previous Friday, which limited their ability to fully understand the project before the meeting.

In response, Todd Williams, representing the construction company Corinthian Fine Homes, opposed the request for a continuance. He highlighted the lengthy process already undertaken to prepare for the hearing and expressed concerns about rising construction costs due to economic factors. Williams emphasized that further delays could negatively impact the project’s budget and timeline, particularly with the goal of completing the construction before the school year began.

Homeowner Jason Cleveland also spoke against the continuance, stating that they had communicated their intentions to neighbors well in advance and had made efforts to meet. He provided a timeline of communications to support his position, asserting that the delays were not solely due to their actions.

Following these discussions, staff from the Board of Zoning Appeals indicated no objections to the continuance but noted that they were prepared to proceed with the hearing. The board ultimately voted to continue the petition to the next scheduled hearing on May 6, 2025, with a vote of 3 to 1 in favor of the continuance.

Additionally, the meeting addressed another petition, number 2025UV2-001, requesting a continuance to the May 13 hearing. This request was supported by staff and was approved without objection.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of various petitions and a motion to grant a waiver of notice for another case, ensuring that all procedural requirements were met for the upcoming hearings. Overall, the meeting highlighted the complexities of neighborhood construction projects and the importance of communication among stakeholders.