HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 12-07-21
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Carmel Plan Commission
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 Department Report
1. Docket No. PZ-2021-00177 CP: Carmel Clay Comprehensive Plan Update.
The applicant seeks to update and reformat the Carmel Clay Comprehensive Plan. Filed by the Department of
Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission.
DRAFT PLAN: The draft Comprehensive Plan is available as a Web App or as a PDF.
Go to www.carmelcomprehensiveplan.com to:
• View and navigate the propose Comprehensive Plan in website form
• Download the PDF
Information is also available on the City’s website at www.carmeldocs.com.
REVIEW TOPICS:
Section 3: Street Typologies PDF Pages 44-55
Street Typology Descriptions and Thoroughfare Plan Map
Purpose: To refresh the inventory of street sections for the potential improvement of existing streets, design
guidance for new streets, and to secure right-of-way dedications alongside and within new developments.
Minimum vs Augmented Standards: Each street typology includes a minimum standard as well as an example
of an augmented standard showing how the addition of a variety of streetscape facilities could be applied
based on the context and needs of the street. This in intended to highlight and illustrate how the streetscape
facilities in Section 4 work together with the street typologies to accommodate growth as well as provide
the safe use of streets by pedestrians, cyclists, automobiles and trucks.
Consolidation of larger street types: Since much of Carmel’s street network has been improved and built out
over the last two decades, many of the larger street typologies found in the existing C3 Plan have been
consolidated into Arterial and Boulevard classifications. The US/State highways continue to be classified
separately, and Keystone Parkway has been given its own label on the Thoroughfare Plan map.
Introduction of small street types: Local streets are the smallest street type currently specified in the C3 Plan and
continue to be the smallest street type specified on the Thoroughfare Plan Map. However, a variety of
smaller street types have been proposed to the menu of options, including Yield Street, Shared Streets, and
Paseos. With no specific placement on the map, they are intended to provide guidance to new developments
or redevelopments that wish to include these smaller, pedestrian-oriented streets. Alleys are also a proposed
addition to the list. While not new to Carmel, alleys have not previously been included in the comprehensive
plan.
Section 4: Streetscape Facilities PDF Pages 56-68
Off-street Facilities, Curbside Facilities
Mobility & Pedestrian Plan Map, Bicycle and Pedestrian Loops Map
Purpose: To provide a menu of interchangeable street-side components that may be utilized to complement Street
Typologies based on the needs in the surrounding context.
Off-street & Curbside Facilities: It is worth noting that Streetscape Facilities have been organized into two
categories, based on their location either behind or between the curbs of a street. All facilities are intended
to be within the right-of-way; however, off-street facilities, such as sidewalks, paths, stormwater planters
and bioswales, are typically located beyond the back of the curb nearest the abutting property line.
Curbside facilities such as on-street parking, delivery/pick-up areas, and mobility lanes are typically
located inside the curb, nearest travel lanes.
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Mobility & Pedestrian Plan Map: Similar to the Thoroughfare Plan Map you’ll find that the Mobility &
Pedestrian Plan Map only includes specific placement of certain types of facilities, including multi-use
paths, mobility lanes, and sidewalks. Other facilities such as bike parking, bioswales, delivery/pick-up
zones are options available depending on the context of the street.
Grade-separated crossings are also identified on the map to indicate where bicycle and pedestrian crossings
of busy streets should be considered above or below ground. Several examples of this have been
accomplished, including the pedestrian bridges along the Monon Greenway at 146th Street and Carmel
Drive, the tunnel carrying the Monon Greenway under 116th Street, or the inclusion of paths/sidewalks with
the grade-separation of intersections along Keystone Parkway and Meridian Street/US 31.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Loops Map: No changes have been proposed to this map, it is simply a graphic update from
the format of the C3 Plan into this format. This map reflects the loops of the Carmel Access Bikeway, which
is identified by signage and pavement markings around the community.
PUBLIC COMMENT SPREADSHEET:
The Department continues to receive and maintain a spreadsheet compilation of comments* received via the “Provide
Feedback” form on the website.
The spreadsheet is updated periodically and available for viewing in Laserfiche: PZ-2021-00177 CP: Carmel Clay
Comprehensive Plan Update.
*Note: Most of the comments have been entered into the spreadsheet verbatim; however, some have been separated into
individual rows to help sort comments by specific topic.
FUTURE MEETINGS:
This will be the final Comprehensive Plan Review Committee meeting in 2021. It is anticipated that the
committee will need at least one more meeting, so staff is working to secure a January date. We will
communicate any future meeting dates as early as possible.
A Next Steps & Upcoming Dates section has been added to the Comprehensive Plan website. We will also
continue to include meeting dates in the city’s weekly newsletter and on the department’s website
(www.carmeldocs.com ).
Recommendations:
The Department of Community Services recommends the Committee set a time limit and review Section 3: Street
Typologies and Section 4: Streetscape Facilities as time allows.