HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #117 John Chipman - second submission
Brad Grabow, President
Chairman, Carmel City Development Committee
Alan Potasnik, Vice President
RE: Jackson Grant Village
Gentlemen,
Because city planning staff are overwhelmed with work and have not responded to my request, I am
writing about a specific concern regarding the Jackson Grant Village PUD. Each of your measured and
thoughtful comments on this specific development are deeply appreciated. I am a silent and careful
observer of each public hearing.
To understand my concern it is useful for you to understand the background. I am a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are more than 1000 members living throughout the
city. Although I do not represent the Church, I speak with deep understanding of this issue because I
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served as the first president of the LDS Temple (2015-2018) located at 116 and Spring Mill Road. I
would want you to know the following about the LDS Temple.
1. It has put the City of Carmel on the map for many people throughout the nation and from
foreign countries in Asia and Europe. Although traffic is small, visitors come from many states
and countries to attend this temple. Of the 170 temples in our church, this one is unique in
architectural design and beauty. Wedding parties stay in hotels in the area and visit local
restaurants. Without any advertising on the part of the city, this temple is one of the best
advertisements on the beauty and kindness of this community. Like many of our temples that
bear the name of the capital city nearby, I can assure you that Carmel is now on the map for
many more people throughout the nation.
2. The grounds of the temple are always open to the public during operating hours. People who
are not members of our church, will stop and enjoy the beauty of the grounds. Often, we see
people enjoying quiet moments of personal meditation as they sit on the grounds. Putting
another side of the temple open to commercial interests is not in the best interest of the public
who come to enjoy peace and reverence. For 5 years, the Engledow Group has invested
hundreds if not thousands of hours maintaining these beautiful grounds for the benefit of the
public.
Therefore, I request
1. That a city specialist in forestry and horticulture inspect the land that the Republic Development
company has designated as Nature Reserve which is immediately north of the LDS temple
grounds and mark the dead and diseased trees that need to be removed and all invasive vines
and underbrush. The developer should comply with the designated removal dead and harmful
growth. Further, replacement of natural trees such as redbuds and dogwoods for low growth
trees or tulip poplars or other appropriate trees to fill in the areas opened by removal of trees
should be undertaken.
2. An additional sight and sound barrier between the parking lot of the commercial side of this
development, if it is to go forward, should be added. For example, a row of arborvitae at the
edge of the parking lot would work.
3. There should be an agreement between the city and the developer as to who will be responsible
for keeping this area clean of trash which presently occurs with some regularity in the trees near
the roundabout.
4. Flooding at the east end of the nature reserve should be reviewed and steps taken to resolve
and not add to drainage issues which will damage the nature reserve.
I believe this request is reasonable and appropriate. It is in keeping with being a good neighbor and
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becoming part of the 116 street/Spring Mill Road neighborhood. The LDS Temple is an important
neighbor who is deeply committed to the reputation and beauty of the Carmel community. It is
disappointing that Republic has proceeded without regard to this part of the Carmel community. Costs
would be modest, and the outcome would only enhance the proposed community of Jackson Grant
Village. So far, I have heard of no support for the commercial aspects of this PUD from current Temple
leadership.
Respectfully,
John J Chipman, MD
1115 Valeside Crescent
Carmel, IN 46032