The Metropolitan Development Commission on April 16 took votes on several agenda items, including a dismissal for lack of prosecution, approval of a conditional use related to temporary storage containers, approval of multiple no-appeal docket items, and the rezoning petition 2024 ZON 115 (see separate article for details).

Key votes

- Motion to dismiss petition (case on the docket listed earlier) for lack of prosecution: outcome dismissed, vote recorded 6 yes, 1 no. The roll call as read during the meeting produced a 6-1 result; the item was removed from the docket.

- 2025 CAP 808 (shipping containers / temporary storage) at 64360 North Keystone Avenue (Washington Township, Council District 8): approved 6-1. Staff had recommended denial because of concern that shipping containers constitute temporary storage and could intensify the site; the hearing examiner recommended approval. The commission approved the hearing examiner's recommendation 6-1.

- No-appeal docket items read into the record and recommended for approval by the hearing examiner: items listed by staff included 2025 ZON 014 (6650 Telecom Drive, Pike Township), 2025 ZON 020 (3520 Washington Boulevard, Center Township), 2025 ZON 021 (2102 Brookside Avenue, Center Township) and 2025 REG 016 (238 and 240 South Pennsylvania Street, Center Township). The commission approved the remaining no-appeal docket items with the recorded exception that one case (2025 REG 016) showed a recusal on the roll call; the transferred items passed consistent with staff recommendation.

- Rezoning petition 2024 ZON 115 (666902 Hickory Road area, Franklin Township): approved by ballot 7-0. Details of that petition — including commitments on traffic, a $470,000 voluntary donation, right-of-way dedication and a senior-parcel restriction to 55+ — were presented by the petitioner and staff; no remonstrators were present.

Procedure and context

The commission opened with a quorum and approved minutes from the April 2 meeting. Several items were continued or withdrawn earlier on the agenda, and staff read the no-appeal docket into the record before the public hearings. Some cases were continued to the May 21 hearing pending outstanding commitments.

What the votes mean

- The dismissal for lack of prosecution removes that petition from the commission's active docket and was recorded as a 6-1 vote.
- The CAP 808 approval allows the specific conditional use as described in the hearing examiner's recommendation; staff had voiced concern about long-term reliance on shipping containers as storage.
- The approvals on the no-appeal docket are routine confirmations of hearing examiner recommendations; one item showed a recusal on the roll call.
- The rezoning approval authorizes the change in zoning subject to the commitments recorded in the petition; implementation details (infrastructure work, recorded dedications, and monitoring of commitments) remain to be completed by the petitioner and coordinating departments.