HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #154 Charu Ojha
Shestak, Joe
From:Charu O <ojcharu@hotmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, July 29, 2020 3:23 PM
To:Shestak, Joe
Subject:Gas Station at 131st and Towne - Docket No. PZ-2020-00093-96 V
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
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Hello Joe,
As a current resident of Village of West Clay, I am writing this email in opposition to the proposed variances requested
by Brenwick on behalf of Family Express Corp.
When we, as a family, decided to move to Carmel, IN (instead of Zionsville or Fishers) four years ago, we were attracted
by it’s livelihood (people walking around, running and biking everywhere), diverse community, great school system and
most importantly it’s forward thinking/ progressive design approaches. When we first moved here, we rented a house
very close to where the new gas station is being proposed. After living in the community for one and half year and falling
even more in love with the community, we chose to buy a house in the village thinking that our kids will be safe here
and thrive in this community. Our little one used to attend Primrose before joining CCS. Both of our kids still attend
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Master Yoo Taekwondo. That corner of Towne and 131 with cute Stratford cottages, Taekwondo, Puccini’s, CVS and
Primrose was supposed to be healthy and safe environment for all age groups. With the proposed convenience store
with gas station by Family Express Corp., I believe that the health and safety of many is a under big question mark.
My very first concern is about the extra traffic that is going to get attracted to that area. I am very concerned about the
variances supporting the stacking of cars. I do not think either the land or the Harleston Street will have enough room
for cars coming into the gas station to fuel which will cause the traffic to back up onto Towne Rd. This increase in traffic
is going to be a major safety concern not only for people visiting neighborhood amenities like us (Taekwondo twice
every week) but also for the families with children that walk, bike, and run in the area or visit the nearby neighborhood
amenities.
My second big concern is the variance requesting to move the gas pumps from behind the building to the front. This will
move the build-to-line of the convenience store and further push it back to the cottages of Stratford. I am concerned
that this will impose further health risk to the residents of Stratford cottages by exposing them to released gases like
benzene and methane vapors from the vent. Plus, there is the concern about the noise and light pollution caused by the
gas station that the residents will have to bear day in and day out.
My third concern is that the proposed design of the convenience store building is not compliant with the architectural
guidelines of the Village of West Clay and will be an eyesore not only to the community but also to the passersby.
My very last concern is about the crime rate that will surely increase because of the gas station in the otherwise quiet
neighborhood. Every day there are news of gun shot and/or robbery at gas stations, how can we be sure that we are not
attracting more crime to the area?
Lastly, I would like to mention that the village is loved by many people not only for it’s well kept colorful and beautiful
houses and streets, but also for the walkability to the neighborhood amenities and restaurants. There are summer
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concerts, ice cream socials, fall festivals and many such events that happen at the village center which is free not only to
the village residents but also to the residents of nearby neighborhoods. In any given day and time, you will find a
number of people/families walking, running or biking around happily in the side streets. With the increased traffic and
health hazards associated with this new proposed 12 pump 6 bay gas station with a car wash, I am worried that village
will completely loose it’s charm and that area with proposed gas station will look something like a strip from the
Michigan Road or any other commercial area rather than a part of such a quiet and family oriented neighborhood like
the Village of West Clay. I whole heartedly believe that this new addition to the village will prove as a regressive move
not only for the entire West Clay community but also for the City of Carmel as well.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our concerns,
Charu Ojha
13590 Abercorn St.
Carmel, IN
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