There were two petitions on the agenda for the January Broad Ripple Village Association Land Use and Development Committee meeting. The public meeting was held on January 25, 2011, at Broad Ripple United Methodist Church, located at 62nd and Guilford Avenue.

The first petition was 2010-CZN-841 6418 NORTH CARROLTON AVENUE (Approximate Address) & 2010-CVR-841 by VERANDA CARROLLTON, LLC, requesting rezoning of 0.18 acre from the C-2 (FF) District to the C-3C (FF) classification to provide for commercial uses. Variance of development standards of the Commercial Zoning Ordinance to provide for a restaurant, with outdoor seating (not permitted), with eight parking spaces (19 parking spaces required), and to provide for a bike rack with a six-foot front setback and a nine square foot freestanding sign with a three-foot front setback (15-foot setback required for signs and 10-foot setback for all structures).

This is the house near 65th and Carrollton Avenue that had long been the home of The Golden Thimble. Most recently is was McMurray Fine Art Studio. This rezoning petition will allow Rene's Bakery to move from their current location on Coil Street into this larger building. This will give them room for tables inside, and outside on two decks. Rene's owner Albert Trevino explained that he intends to continue to offer his bakery items and to add some savory dishes, such as quiches and vegetable tarts. A rezoning, instead of a temporary variance, is requested as Albert intends to eventually purchase the property from Veranda Carrollton LLC. Hours are planned to be Tuesday through Thursday 7am to 8pm, staying open on Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm, and Sundays until 3pm.

The BRVA committee voted to support this petition before the City of Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) hearing examiner.

The second petition was 2010-ZON-097 6531 FERGUSON STREET (Approximate Address) by EDWARD AND CHRISTINE HAZEL, requesting Rezoning of 0.22 acre, from the D-4 (FF) District, to the C-3C (FF) classification to provide for commercial uses.

This is the house north of 65th and Ferguson Street that most recently was Brunette Salon. This petition is to allow for iDiz, a marketing firm, to move from their current Castleton location into this property. iDiz has been in business for 23 years. The building would primarily be for the 8 employees, as most customers are not local and would not come to the office. The new use of the building is expected to be lighter than the previous salon use.

Committee member Tom Healy asked iDiz owner Kent Dicken to support the future form-based code that is expected to eventually replace the current City of Indianapolis zoning code along this portion of Ferguson. This new code would call for continuous sidewalks and trees along the street, removing front yard parking and curb cuts for driveways.

The BRVA committee voted to support this petition before the MDC.

Both of these petitions are expected to come before the MDC hearing examiner on February 10, 2011, at 1pm in the City County Building.