HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 05-15-183
CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
MAY 15, 2018
3. Docket No. 18030015 DP/ADLS: MetroNet Network Shelter.
The applicant seeks site plan & design approval to build a new 336 sq. ft. utility shelter. The site is
located at 30 8th St. NW and it is zoned R-1/Residential within the Range Line Rd/Carmel Dr. Overlay.
Filed by Brian Tuohy of Doninger, Tuohy, & Bailey LLP on behalf of MetroNet, Inc.
Project Overview:
The petitioner is proposing a new network utility shelter for MetroNet fiber optic communications equipment. The
existing house on the property will be demolished. The site is located on the north side of 8th St. NW and just west of
Range Line Rd. To the north and east of the site are a Duke Energy property and an electrical substation, to the south is a
single-family home, and to the west is the Traditions on the Monon townhome community. Please view the Petitioner’s
informational packet for more detail.
UDO Standards this project meets:
Permitted Use as a Public Service Facility
10 ft. concrete path along 8th Street
Right-of-way dedication
Minimum bufferyard standards
Analysis:
Site Plan, Active Transportation:
The proposed network shelter is setback over 60 feet from 8th St. and is surrounded by an ornamental steel fence with
brick columns. The fence will be bordered with new evergreen trees. The placement of the structure far away from the
street and the decorative fence and evergreen trees will help reduce the impact of the utility building and improve the
aesthetics of the proposed use. There is a generator that will be located west of the building, and it will only run once a
week as a test for 30 minutes at 11:00 am. The trees along the west perimeter will help provide a buffer to the site and
mitigate any noise. There is an existing curb cut off of 8th St. that will be used for the access drive to the site. A 10 ft.
concrete path will be installed along 8th St. per the Transportation Plan. Petitioner, please note that the existing 5 ft.
sidewalk will need to be removed so that a seamless 10 ft. concrete path can be installed.
Architectural Design: The utility shelter will have a brick façade with a pitched roof and a concrete base. This design
will help the shelter blend in and compliment the surrounding residential areas. The metal fence with the brick columns
will tie in with the adjacent fence to the west for the townhomes. The petitioner has made many changes to the original
design of the building based on staff comments and the current design is a much more aesthetically pleasing and sensitive
design than the original building.
Lighting and Signage: There will be one light near the front door entrance to the building. Petitioner, will there be any
identification signage on the property?
Landscaping: There will be evergreen trees installed around the perimeter of the property per the bufferyard standards of
the UDO. This landscaping will help to soften the look of the utility shelter and external equipment. The landscaping
plan has been reviewed by the Urban Forester, and only one comment is outstanding. One row of trees in the front
bufferyard is in the proposed right-of-way and need to be moved out of the right-of-way. The Urban Forester has
suggested one row of trees be removed along the front and a row of arborvitae be placed up against the fence instead.
DOCS Remaining Comments/Concerns:
- Please adjust the plans to show a seamless 10 ft. concrete path.
- Please adjust the landscape plan so that no bufferyard trees are in the right-of-way.
Recommendation: After all comments have been addressed, the Department of Community Services recommends the
Plan Commission suspends its Rules of Procedure to vote to approve this item this evening.