Religious Land Use Ordinance Sent to Council


(posted Oct 31)


The Metropolitan Development Commission voted 8-0 on Oct 17 to forward the Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act to the City County Council. Department of Metropolitan Development staff member Tammara Tracy explained the federal RLUPIA is guiding the proposed ordinance to create a level playing field among religious institutions to be permitted uses in commercial districts.

The proposed ordinance broadens definitions so that permitted uses would include more than just an assembling of people and apply to religious activities. The proposed ordinance also regulates parking, requiring one parking spot for every four people assembling.

A representative from the Baptist Church of the West Side, located at 6411 W. Thompson Road, protested the parking requirements, saying that any restriction would deny its due process. He said the issue was not really about parking, but about control; "The Church belongs to the Lord, not to the City of Indianapolis." The issue goes to the city council for the final vote on November 12.

The sidewalk ordinance was tabled until December 19 at the request of Attorney Steven Granner, representing developers of Simon Property Group, Lauth Group, Broadbent and Duke Realty.

Granner suggested developing a committee to analyze the impact of this ordinance on major commercial and industrial property. He said the proposed ordinance would require the Simon Group to add six and a half miles of sidewalks on the internal private roads at Castleton Square as it seeks to redevelop the center.

He said the proposed ordinance would cause the developer to have to retrofit sidewalks into a 30 year old center.

Commissioner Robert Kennedy said he did not oppose tabling it if it meant creating a better understanding of the ordinance, but that tabling didn't mean the commission was backing away from the intent to provide more pedestrian and bike routes.

A resident of 5961 N. New Jersey agreed that the developers need to be responsible for adding sidewalks with development projects. She cited that when the Broad Ripple Library moved to Glendale Mall it was no longer pedestrian friendly with sidewalks; therefore, she prohibits her children from walking to the library.