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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRemonstrance: Wildwood Estates residents Residents of Wildwood Estates Public Hearing Before the Carmel Clay Plan Commission 1/21/97 Thoughts & Concerns Landscaping • The emphasis of the landscaping needs to be on what protects the wildlife features of the area, enhances those features and provides a natural and rich environment for all the wildlife. Tri-County was very sensitive to the natural environment and the native forest that exists here. They set a good example by their building placement, parking lot, and varied landscaping that was installed. They employed creative landscapers who took a naturalistic approach in an effort to be compatible with the surrounding woodlands. • As your plans stand now, there is a monoculture problem. Only one kind of canopy tree is shown and we question your selection of Austrian Pine. Are you aware that this tree is prone to Diplodia Tip Blight and several other insects and diseases? Mixed evergreen plantings, using for example white fir or Norway Spruce, would provide much more interest and be a better choice for the birds due to their denser foliage. • The perimeter landscaping should be a habitat to provide maximum cover and food for wildlife. The means rich and diversified plantings. • The comprehensive plan of Carmel speaks to preserving natural areas. • This is a habitat conservation and preservation opportunity. What are the owners going to do to insure this during the development process and to minimize further destruction? • What are the owners going to do to protect and preserve existing trees? • May we have it in writing that all existing trees and tree lines will remain intact? • Obviously asphalt and brick is going to destroy and degrade the natural habitat. • This has always been a cool area with many trees, shade and a pond. Asphalt is going to heat this area. Can there be more or larger tree Residents of Wildwood Estates Public Hearing Before the Cannel Clay Plan Commission 1/21/97 islands so that more canopy trees can be planted and survive? How vital is it to have 75 parking spaces or can some of these be land banked? • We have the name of an individual whose specialty is natural habitat landscaping. He has been doing this in his own yard since 1982 and once was employed by INDOT. Can he or others who have this a specialty be consulted for specific and appropriate planting material suggestions that are more conducive to wildlife? • The Indiana Dept. Of Natural Resources and the National Wildlife Federation both have printed material with specific suggestions. • This area adjoins some of the last remaining native forest in Carmel and Indiana that is home to a great many birds, owls, deer, raccoons, groundhogs and red fox that will either leave due to nighttime lighting (especially the nocturnal owls) or be greatly disturbed. • We suggest barrier trees be planted that would be a buffer to the neighbors to the South, plus be good shelter for the wildlife. Lighting, Building Placement and Security • The neighbors to the South are deeply concerned about the lighting of these buildings. We are concerned about the potential light pollution as it affects the surrounding area, especially the wildlife in the woods and its long term effect for this area. • We are concerned as to what types of windows are being used and what will be the light spillage from them when the building is used at night. • How often will the building be used at night and for what length of time? • If security and protection of the computers and equipment in the building is such a concern, will there be an alarm system installed, considering that this is an isolated area. • Will there be cars going in and out all hours of the day and night? • Has it been considered that people wanting to use the park may use your parking lot for access? Residents of Wildwood Estates Public Hearing Before the Carmel Clay Plan Commission 1/21/97 • It is the feeling of some experts that a lighted area at night tends to attract young people looking for a place to "hang out". • We are particularly concerned about the placement of Building 2. The parking spaces shown to the south and west of that structure are obstructed by the building's placement. They cannot be observed by Carmel Police who may patrol the area. It seems to have the potential to be a real nuisance. • To cause the least disturbance to the nocturnal wildlife that resides in the wooded areas, it has been suggested by an electrical engineer and owner of a large lighting company in the area that you should consider having a lighting system that operates by switches. Systems are available that would be activated from your car when someone comes in if night work is necessary. The lights would be timed on long enough to allow a person to park and enter the building. The system would be activated for a timed period when someone wanted to leave the building. These systems are installed regularly and effectively. Along with the proper type and placement of the lighting fixtures, this kind of system would cause the least impact on the wildlife habitat. Drainage and topology • What has been designed to insure that erosion due to drainage and run-off does not occur? • Before the clearing of the land 2 years ago, this area was a marsh that bordered the wetland area. Since then it has been mostly dep mud. Although you say you have no intention of changing the elevations of this site, may we have that in writing? Since you are located between the wetlands and flood plain to the south and west and the storm water drainage pond to the east, we are deeply concerned that any elevation changes you make will have an adverse impact on the properties adjacent to you. Commitments we would like the applicant to make: • Landscape to include rich and diversified plantings consistent with the adjacent natural areas and supportive of the resident wildlife. • All existing trees will be maintained. New trees will be added to this buffer area. Residents of Wildwood Estates Public Hearing Before the Carmel Clay Plan Commission 1/21/97 • No parking should be hidden from view. It should all be located on the street side of the buildings. • Add tree islands and add canopy trees to shade the parking lots. • Have all lighting directed away from the residential areas. Have none on the back side of the building. • Make no elevation changes. , • Keep in contact with us as you progress with your plans.