HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #08 from Kay GaitherMy name is Kay Gaither. I have resided in the Village of WestClay (VWC) for five years, in the
South Village area, three blocks from the Village Center area that is a part of Brenwick’s petition.
My thoughts and concerns for the petition presented by Brenwick fall in two areas, density and
abandoning the commercial component of this development as it is almost completed.
Area 1 in the petitioners proposal is in the WestClay Uptown section of VWC which has always
been approved for commercial use. There is a logical and geographical division between this
area and the West Village residential area to the south; there is a swimming pool complex, a
baseball diamond and a tennis court that creates the separation. It is bordered on the north by
136th St and on the east by Towne Rd. Currently a CVS, a Chase Bank, a National Bank of
Indianapolis, and Primrose School successfully operate in this area. During a community
information meeting held at the Meeting House in WestClay on Nov.12, Mr Huston stated that a
gas station and convenience mart has been approved for the lot directly south of CVS. At the
Plan Commission meeting on Nov. 17 a gentleman who resides in WestClay pointed out that it is
the only open commercial/retail space available in northwest Carmel between Illinois St and
Michigan Rd. It is a desired location that should be built out with great thought and purpose. Mr
Sweet and Mr Huston of Brenwick have an opportunity to put their signature on the last piece of
VWC to be completed. Has Brenwick taken the time to define their vision for this area? What is
their marketing strategy to attract businesses to the area? What are the impediments to
development in this area. Instead of developing a comprehensive plan for finishing this area,
they are seeking permission to construct 60 town homes instead. Some residents of VWC think
their request is a bad idea. It changes the ratio of residential to commercial areas in the village
dramatically, it changes the ratio of multi-family to single family housing in an irreparable way
and it creates a density in an area that is poorly equipped to handle the added population.
Furthermore it is abandoning a commercial area that has been part of the vision for WestClay. It
would result in a net gain of 60 living units. We urge you to deny Brenwicks request.
Area 3 is generally in the same geographical area I described above. It borders Towne Rd on
the east and faces Harleston St on the north. It has had a restriction that required the plot be
developed with a business that supported the elderly people who live at The Stratford. The
request is to drop that restriction so the land can be developed for any commercial use. That
request should be granted.
Area 2 is in Village Center. It was always intended to be the “downtown” of WestClay. There are,
in fact, several businesses operating in this area. It is approved for two and three story buildings
that have retail/commercial spaces on the first floor and commercial or “loft” spaces above. It is
approved for 43 lofts and 11 already have been built, so 32 lofts can be built without any action.
This area has not met Brenwick”s expectations, and therefore has not been profitable for them.
The petitioner is requesting to increase the number of lofts to 70, not because it would enhance
what is already there, but because they feel lofts would be more marketable. In this same area,
Village Center, there are 4 town homes already built. Eighteen more town homes are approved
to be built, and 9 more are requested. That means 36 town homes will soon be in Village Center
before anything Brenwick is seeking in this petition is acted upon. There is no provision in the
petitioners proposal for increased parking. This area already has significant parking problems
when an there is an event at the Meeting House or at University Green. It would create parking
and congested driving situations that would be very difficult to remedy in such a small
geographic area that is surrounded by existing structures. Approval would result in a net gain of
54 new living units in this very condensed area.
Residents of WestClay are very familiar with the Sterkx building on Meeting House Rd in the
heart of Village Center. It is a building that has 5-6 commercial spaces and several lofts above. It
has been involved in litigation and the commercial spaces were empty for nearly two years.
However, the lofts were always occupied. Brenwick, or any other developer, could construct a
building and proclaim they are trying to find an occupant for the first floor space. They could also
rent or lease all of the lofts above before a ground level tenant is found. In fact, what in the
petitioners proposal requires that even one more business will open in Village Center?
Residents have waited for this area to become the downtown they have been promised. They
should be given some assurance that Village Center will not become another predominantly
multi-family residence area.
The current residents of VWC had the opportunity to choose any neighborhood in Carmel and
we chose Village of WestClay. We chose it because we want a home in an area that balances
green spaces and multi-family living spaces with single family living spaces and commercial
areas. We chose WestClay because it gives children and seniors the opportunity to live next to
each other in a safe, balanced environment. The proposal before you changes those balances
and adds 114 living units in areas that were either not meant for residential use or can not
support the density requested. Currently VWC is 11% multi-family living spaces, approval of all
that Brenwick is requesting changes that to 21% We encourage you to deny the petitioners
request for Area 2.
Kay Gaither