HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 03-16-21
CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
MARCH 16, 2021
5. Docket No. PZ-2021-00011 DP/ADLS: Yellow Dog Veterinary Clinic at Legacy.
6. Docket No. PZ-2021-00018 V: Maximum Front Yard Setback 15’, 54.3’ requested.
The applicant seeks site plan, design, and variance approval for a new veterinary office. The site is located at
approximately 7325 E. 146th Street between Community Drive and Beallsville Drive. It is zoned PUD (Legacy Z-
501-07.) Filed by Ashton Fritz of Fritz Engineering Services, LLC, on behalf of Dr. Stanley of Yellow Dog
Veterinary Clinic.
Project Overview:
The applicant seeks approval for a new veterinary office. East of this site is a vacant (commercial) parcel and further east
are three multi-tenant retail buildings within the Legacy PUD. West of this site are additional vacant (commercial use)
parcels and further west are the Legacy Towns and Flats II residential development, zoned Legacy PUD. South of this site
are the Legacy Towns and Flats I residential homes, also zoned Legacy PUD. North of the site across 146th Street are
residential homes located in Noblesville. Please see the Petitioner’s Information Packet for more details.
PUD Standards this project MEETS:
PUD Section 16 – Parking:
• Parking – 19 spaces required; 26 spaces provided
Exhibit 10 Commercial Building Table:
• Minimum Side Yard Setback – 0’ required, 27.8’ proposed
• Minimum Rear Yard setback – 5’ required, 122’ proposed
• Minimum building height – 1 story required and provided
• Maximum building height – 60’ allowed, 18’ proposed
• Windows are pedestrian scale
• Parking behind and to the side of building
• Walls and Rooflines are broken up/not greater than 60’
before a change in plane or material
Exhibit 10 Architectural Standards:
• Pedestrian scale detailing
• Mechanical equipment screened
• Relationship and use of materials
visually compatible with surrounding
area
• Primary entrances are defined and
articulated
Exhibit 14 Uses:
• Veterinary hospital without commercial
kennel allowed in Village Core
PUD Standards NOT MET, therefore Variances are required:
• Front Yard setback – 15’ required, 60.5’ requested
Site Plan, Parking, and Engineering:
The site has been designed with the building pulled up to Hopewell Parkway, with parking located behind the building to
the north. Access into the site will be a shared driveway from Hopewell Parkway with the parcel to the east. It will be
built half on this property and half on the next property to the east. (This is similar to the three retail buildings to the west
within the Legacy PUD.) Cross access easement is planned to the west, with the driveway constructed all the way to the
property line. The dumpster will be completely enclosed and designed to match the building. It will be accessed from the
north. 26 parking spaces are proposed and is compliant with UDO requirements (1 space per 300 sq. ft. of floor area.
5,600 sq. ft. requires 19 spaces). Stormwater and detention for this site have been master planned with the Legacy PUD.
The Petitioner continues to work through Engineering Dept. review comments.
Setback Variance:
The Legacy PUD specifies a maximum front yard setback of 15’. After internal review and discussion, it was determined
that orienting the building towards Hopewell Parkway, rather than 146th Street, would foster a more interactive pedestrian
environment. However, due to a 7’ landscape easement and a 15’ wide utility easement, the building could not be placed
at the required 15’ maximum. Additional master planned storm inlets and pipes extend beyond the utility easement,
causing the building to be set back even further. The request is for 60.5’ back from Hopewell Parkway. Due to these site
restrictions, the Dept. is supportive of the Variance request.
Active Transportation:
A 5’ wide sidewalk will be provided along Hopewell Parkway. Path is already constructed along 146th Street. The
petitioner will construct a new sidewalk that will connect the site from 146th Street through the parking lot, to the front
door, then to Hopewell Parkway. Sidewalks will also be provided around the building for easy access from the parking to
the front door, to the outdoor patio area, bicycle parking, and to the dumpster. Two bicycle racks will be installed,
providing four parking spaces, which meets the ordinance requirements.
Architectural Design:
The building will be constructed of two different kinds of brick, one smooth and one textured with vertical details. Cast
stone sills and ledges will be used, as well as fiber cement board as an accent near the roof. Stained wood beams will be
used for the columns near the entrance and on the fencing material around the outdoor patio area as well as outdoor dog
walking areas. The entry facing east will have a large glass enclosure, calling attention to and providing an important focal
element for this façade. Windows are placed on every façade and enhance the pedestrian scale and experience. Transom
windows are even included where full-length windows are not appropriate for the use of the room (such as surgery or
restroom).
Lighting:
Site lighting is proposed with 14’ tall decorative parking lot pole lights, decorative wall sconces and wall pack style
lighting over doors. The Legacy PUD requires a maximum of 0.5 footcandles at the property lines. There are a few
locations where adjustments need to be made to meet this requirement. One light is also proposed within the right-of-way
of 146th Street. The Petitioner will need to confirm this has been approved by Hamilton Co. Hwy. Dept., as well as
continue to work to modify the plan to meet the footcandle requirement.
Landscaping:
The site will have street trees installed along both Hopewell Parkway and 146th Street. Trees will also be planted around
the building and in the median of the drop off lane in front of the building entrance. Building base plants are proposed,
plants to screen the parking and the dumpster, as well as plantings around the proposed ground sign. The Petitioner
continues to work through the Urban Forester’s review comments to reach plan approval.
Signage:
This site faces two public streets; therefore, two signs are allowed. A ground sign is proposed to face south towards
Hopewell Parkway. A wall sign is proposed to face north towards 146th Street. The wall sign is 79 sq. ft., and currently
88.4% of the width and 70% of the height of the spandrel panel. The sign will need to be reduced slightly in size to meet
the maximum 85% spandrel panel width. The ground sign is 20 sq. ft. and 6 ft. tall. This meets the sign ordinance
requirements.
DOCS Remaining Comments/Concerns:
1. Engineering Dept. approval
2. Lighting plan adjustments to meet 0.5 footcandles and Hamilton Co. Hwy. Dept. approval, if necessary
3. Landscaping plan approval
4. Adjust wall signage size to comply with 85% width
Recommendation:
The Department of Community Services recommends the Plan Commission sends this item to the Commercial
Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 30th, with the Committee having final voting authority.