HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 09-17-191
CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
1. Docket No. 19050029 Z: Smokey Row UR & P1 Rezone.
The applicant seeks to rezone 13 parcels located on the north side of Smokey Row Road, between the Monon
Greenway and Meridian Street, from the PUD/Kensington Green Planned Unit Development and R1/Residence
District to the UR/Urban Residential and P1/Park & Recreation Districts, respectively. The properties comprise
the Kensington Green subdivision as well as 2 parcels adjacent to the Monon Greenway. Filed by the Department
of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission.
Project Overview:
This rezoning proposal includes two areas located along the north side of Smokey Row Road, between the Monon
Greenway and Meridian Street. Please view the previous meeting informational packet for the proposed ordinance
and location map.
The first area, which is proposed to be in the UR/Urban Residential District, includes the undeveloped Kensington Green
subdivision. The city has been informed that the developer of the proposed Kensington Green subdivision is no longer
moving forward with the project. Some Plan Commissioners will recall that a PUD was approved on that site in 2015. At
the time, the Department had concerns about how such a development would fit into the surrounding (formerly) R1
District without a larger concept plan to manage development. Now that the plans for Kensington Green have ceased, the
Department believes that it is better for the site to match the surrounding zoning district, which is now UR/Urban
Residential, so that development may move forward in line with the UR District without the specific regulations of the
Kensington Green PUD on that corner.
The other area includes two parcels adjacent to the Monon Greenway. Due to the proximity of these two parcels to the
Monon Greenway, the zoning is proposed to change to the P1/Park & Recreation District. In addition to most of the
area’s designation as a flood zone, much of it has been donated to a land trust to be used as urban farm space. Therefore,
we anticipate the area to remain in a natural form with some opportunity for recreational uses.
The Plan Commission should expect to see a Development Plan for review in the coming months; however, for now the
Department is taking the opportunity to refine the zoning at the edges to help guide any proposed development into a
seamless plan.
August 20 Public Hearing Recap:
Staff presented both a location and existing zoning map which outlined the two areas of the proposal. One area includes
the approved but undeveloped Kensington Green and other area includes two parcels adjacent to the Monon Greenway.
The Plan Commission asked for clarification of the locations and purpose of the proposed rezoning. Staff explained the
boundaries and reiterated the opportunity for the entire area to move forward under the Urban Residential District, which
is now in place north and east of Kensington Green. One member of the public spoke with questions about the mailed
public notice. The Plan Commission continued the item to September 17 to allow time to review the public notice.
Public Notice:
Upon further review, staff confirms that public notice occurred in compliance with the Plan Commission’s Rules of
Procedure. Letters were sent via First Class Mail with Certificate of Mailing to the property owners highlighted in the
enclosed maps. Additional details regarding the public notice can be found in the Docket Folder on Laserfiche.
Recommendation:
The Department of Community Services recommends the Plan Commission sends this item to the City Council with a
Favorable Recommendation.
2
Adjoiner Notification Map – Kensington Green Area
3
Adjoiner Notification Map – Monon Area