McANA Releases 2005 MDC Report and Makes Recommenations

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PRESS RELEASE: December 1, 2005

McANA Release 2005 MDC Report and Makes Recommendations

Report Shows Metropolitan Development Commission Failed to Implement Comprehensive Plan in 2005

Indianapolis, IN – On Wednesday the Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (McANA) distributed to the Mayor, County Commissioners, and members of the City County Council’s Metropolitan Development committee, a report on the 2005 record of each person they appoint to the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC). Citing the data, McANA recommended that Robert Kennedy be reappointed, but that Edward Treacy, John Bales, and James Curtis, Jr., be replaced. The Report also called on Mayor Peterson to reduce the number of Democrats he has appointed in order to comply with State law.

The MDC hears rezoning petitions and is charged with implementation of the Marion County Comprehensive Plan that lays out the community’s vision for future growth and development. The 2005 MDC Report reveals that the MDC continued to largely ignore the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan in zoning matters again in 2005.

“The Comprehensive Plan has been designed by thousands of Marion County residents, costing millions of dollars and tens of thousands of volunteer hours. McANA believes the efforts of so many should not be fruitless. Those Commissioners who consider the Comprehensive Plan in their deliberations deserve to be reappointed. Those who do not consider the Plan should be replaced,” said Cathy Burton, McANA’s President.

For the second year, McANA combed through the records of zoning petitions acted upon by the MDC. The 2005 MDC Report included all zoning cases heard by the Commission between January and October of this year. Commissioner Dorothy Jones was appointed in November and the 2005 MDC Report, therefore, did not contain any information about her voting record. “The Mayor, City County Council, and County Commissioners each make appointments to the MDC. We are convinced that all have considerable respect for the Comprehensive Plan. We hope they reflect on the voting record of their appointees and decide which individuals will both respect and implement the Comprehensive Plan and therefore deserve to serve on the MDC again in 2006,” stated McANA’s Vice-President, Pat Andrews.

McANA’s recommendations were based on three factors: a Commissioner’s record of attendance, record of voting with or against the recommendation of the Comprehensive Plan, and record of voting with or against the recommendation of Current Planning Staff. Only Commissioner Robert Kennedy was recommended by McANA for re-appointment. “Commissioner Kennedy clearly demonstrates consideration of both the Comprehensive Plan and Staff recommendation in his voting record. McANA is proud to strongly recommend that he serve again in 2006,” said Norman Pace, McANA’s Land Use Chairman.

McANA strongly recommended replacement of Commissioners Edward Treacy, James Curtis, Jr., and John Bales. The 2005 MDC Report also noted that Edward Treacy is Chairman of the Marion County Democratic Central Committee. The Report concludes, “his simultaneous service on the MDC is unseemly at best and provokes concern among neighborhoods that decisions of the MDC are politically motivated.”

McANA points out a further problem for the Mayor. Among his 4 appointees, there are too many Democrats. State law requires that no more than 2 of those named by the Mayor to serve on the MDC be of one party.

The County Commissioners are expected to make their appointments to the MDC at a December 15 meeting while the Metropolitan Development committee of the City County Council will not take up the matter until the New Year. McANA representatives plan on attending both meetings.