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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 03-17-20 11 CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION DEPARTMENT REPORT MARCH 17, 2020 6. Docket No. 20010010 Z: Kirk Property C2 Rezone The applicant seeks to rezone 9 parcels, including addresses 12345, 12415, 12425 Old Meridian Street and 1185 West Carmel Drive, from the UC/Urban Core District and UR/Urban Residential District to the C-2/Mixed Use District. The site is generally located at the southeast corner of Old Meridian Street and Carmel Drive. Filed by the Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission. Project Overview: The purpose of this proposal is to position approximately 23 acres along the Old Meridian Street corridor for future redevelopment in partnership with the Carmel Redevelopment Commission. The rezone proposal includes the Kirk Furniture store and related buildings as well as three single-story office and medical buildings at the southeast corner of Old Meridian Street and Carmel Drive. Please view the informational packet for the proposed ordinance, location map and development standards. This rezoning proposal initially included only the 15+ acres owned by the Kirk family, as they consider the future of their site. To be clear Kirk Furniture does not intend to close for business; nonetheless, the Kirks recognize that the retail industry no longer requires such a large footprint. While there is no time line, they are exploring their options to build a facility that reflects today’s needs. With knowledge of a potential change to such a large piece of land in the heart of Carmel, DOCS began to take a closer look at the area. It was then decided to also include the properties north of the Kirk site to Carmel Drive for the opportunity to coordinate a larger master plan. Regardless of whether the area to the north redevelops or not, extending the same zoning district across the site will help to eliminate potential conflicts in development standards in the event one or more of the parcels do redevelop. Current zoning districts UC and UR would allow more intensity and a mix of uses on the site; however, the C2 District would also allow for the Carmel Redevelopment Commission to review any proposed plans and to use their available tools to further enhance potential development. Again, there are no specific building or site plans to review at this time. Should redevelopment be proposed, DOCS would seek better connectivity throughout the site, including coordinated entrances along Old Meridian Street and a plan for north-south connectivity from Carmel Drive to City Center Drive. As is standard for the C2 District, a DP/ADLS public hearing will be held by the Plan Commission Hearing Officer with all the same methods of public notice (publication, signs, letters) as public hearings held by the full Plan Commission. The standards of the C2/Mixed Use District are established in Article 2, Sections 2.35 & 2.36 of the Carmel Unified Development Ordinance. You may view the Unified Development Ordinance online by clicking on Codes & Ordinances in the Department of Community Services’ website: www.carmeldocs.com. Recommendation: The Department of Community Services recommends the Commission votes to suspend their Rules of Procedure, and then votes to send these items to the City Council with a Favorable Recommendation.