Hearing Examiner limits new petitions, grants multiple continuances for MDC cases

The Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner opened the Sept. 24 docket by announcing staff is temporarily limiting new petitions to 10 and that the MDC meeting scheduled for Nov. 4, 2026, has been cancelled. The examiner also reviewed appeal procedures and deadlines for filing an appeal with the Department of Metropolitan Development within five business days.

Several petitioners asked for continuances to allow additional community outreach or revised site plans. Joe Calder, representing the petitioner for 6501 Mann Road (2026 ZON 039), said the applicant "recently obtained title to a piece of property" that "adds a little acreage, 1.6 acres" and asked to file a new site plan; staff (Kathleen) had no objection and the examiner continued the petition to Oct. 29 with notice. Similar one-month continuances to Oct. 29 or to Nov. 12 were granted for multiple zoning and companion petitions after staff recommended allowing additional time for petitioner–community discussions.

The hearing examiner repeatedly noted staff collaboration with petitioners and neighborhood groups made the docket move efficiently. Residents who requested continuances received cooperative responses from petitioners and staff; for example, Marybeth Overting asked to move 2026 ZON 079 to Oct. 15 so she and her neighbors could continue conversations, a request the petitioner’s counsel supported and the examiner granted.