HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-161 Lim.Acc Hwy/St. Rd.431AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA
ORDINANCE NO. z-I l
An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of
Carmel, Indiana, Ordinance Z-160, passed by the Common Council
of the City of Carmel, Indiana, on the 21st day January, 1980.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of Carmel,
Indiana, under the authority of Acts 1979, Public Law 178 Section
1 e__t seq. (I.C. 18-7-4-101 et seq.), and all acts amendatory or
supplemental thereto, that Ordinanc~ No. Z-160 is hereby amended
as follows:
SECTION ONE. Section 23.0 of the Zoning Ordinance is amended by
changing the title from LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY ZONE to STATE
HIGHWAY 431 OVERLAY ZONE.
SECTION TWO. A new Section 23.01 consisting of the regulations
attached herto is inserted.
SECTION THREE This Ordinance shall be in force and effect from
and after the date of passage.
Passed this ~/ day ~ ~ia
by the Common Council, City of rme na.
, 1980,
aa~t~ Reiman, Mayor
of Carmel, Indiana
Clerk-Treasurer
City of Carmel, Indiana
23.01
23.01 -1
23.01 -2
23.01 -3
United States Highway 31 Overlay Zone
Purpose~ Intent and Authority. It is the purpose of the
United States Highway 31 Overlay Zone, as presented in this
Section 23.01 ("U.S. 31 Overlay Zone") to promote and pro-
tect the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and
general welfare by providing for consistent and coordinated
treatment of the properties bordering United States Highway
31 in Clay Township, Hamilton County, Indiana. The Plan
Cormnission, in establishing this zone, is relying on I.C.
18-7-4-101 et seq., and in particular, 18-7-4-405(2)B.
United States Highway 31 is a limited access highway and an
important entrance corridor to Carmel and to Clay Township.
Therefore, it is the further purpose of the U.S. 31 Overlay
Zone to preserve the aesthetic qualities of those border-
ing properties through: the promotion of coordinated lot
development in the U.S. 31 Overlay Zone; the establishment
of basic standards for structures constructed on the prop-
erties within the U.S. 31 Overlay Zone which permit innova-
tive site designs and at the same time encourage efficient
land usage; and, the establishment of lot development stan-
dards which will encourage substantial capital investments
for the development of those properties.
U.S. 31 Overlay Zone Boundaries. The boundaries of the
U.S. 31 Overlay Zone are hereby established as shown on the
Zoning Map. The U.S. 31 Overlay Zone generally includes an
area of six hundred (600) feet on either side of the
right-of-way for United States Highway 31 in Clay Township,
Hamilton County, Indiana, extending from the North right-
of-way line of 96th Street to the South right-of-way line
of 146th Street.
Definitions Peculiar to this Overlay Zone.
EFFECTIVE DATE - ~>~/-~/ , 1980, the date this
Ordinance deali~g~with the U.S. Highway 31 Overlay Zone
was passed and became effective.
FRONT YARD - That side of a lot, including any corner lot,
which is closest to the right-of-way of United States
Highway 31.
GREENBELT - That portion of the front yard of the lot which
is immediately adjacent and parallel to the right-of-
way line of U.S. 31 having a minimum depth of thirty
(30) feet.
LOT - Any number of contiguous lots or portions thereof,
not separated by a street or public way upon which
23.01-4
23.01 -5
23.01-6
one or more main structures for a single use are
erected or are to be erected in this Overlay Zone.
UNDERSIZED LOT - A lot recorded prior to the effective date
of this Ordinance which is less than 217,800 square
feet (5 acres) in overall size and/or narrower than
one-half (1/2) the depth of the lot.
Plan Commission Approval. The Plan Commission shall
approve the development plan for any proposed improvement-
in the U.S. Highway 31 Overlay Zone. Plan Commission
approval of the architectural design, landscaping, parking,
signage, lighting and access to the property shall be
necessary prior to: (i) the establishment of any use of
land; (ii) the issuance of any improvement location permit;
or (iii) the erection, reconstruction or structural altera-
tion of any building(s) in the U.S. 31 Overlay Zone. The
Plan Commission, in reviewing applications, shall examine
factors concerning the site, site plan and the surrounding
area, which include but are not limited to the following
items:
1. Topography;
2. Zoning on site;
3. Surrounding zoning and existing land use;
4. Streets, curbs and gutters and sidewalks;
5. Access to public streets;
6. Driveway and curb cut locations in relation to other
sites;
7. General vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
8. Internal site circulation;
9. Special and general easements for public or private
use;
10. On-site and off-site surface and subsurface storm
and water drainage;
11. On-site and off-site utilities;
12. The means and impact of sanitary sewage disposal and
water supply techniques.
13. Dedication of streets and rights-of-way; and
14. Protective restrictions and/or covenants.
15. Provision for adequate and acceptable setbacks,
screening, and compatibility with existing platted
residential uses.
16. Effects any proposed project may have on the entire
Overlay Zone.
Permitted Uses. All uses which are permitted in the under-
lying zoning district(s), except the uses expressly
excluded by Section 23.01-7, are permitted in the U.S. 31
Overlay Zone.
Special Uses. Ail special uses which are permitted (upon
obtaining a special use authorization from the Board) in
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23.01 -8
23.01-9
the underlying zoning district(s), except the uses
expressly excluded by Section 23.01-7, are permitted in the
U.S. 3t Overlay Zone.
Excluded Uses. Auction room; automobile/mobile home sales;
automobile service station; automobile/truck repair; auto
parts/tire center; billiard parlor; boarding house; boat
sales; bowling alley; carnivals, fairs, circuses, etc.; car
wash; cemetery; cold storage locker; farm implement sales;
fuel or ice sales; grain elevator; helicopter/airplane
facilities; industrial uses-heavy; junk yard/salvage yard;
kennel; laundry/dry cleaning plant; lumber/building mate-
rials; machinery/equipment sales; mineral extraction,
borrow pit, etc.; mobile home court; mobile home, temporary
uses; motor bus/railroad passenger station; outdoor
theater; photo pick-up station; race track; radio/televi-
sion transmission tower; raising and breeding of non-farm
fowl and animals; recreational vehicle sales; riding
stable; roadside sales stand; sanitary landfill/refuse
dump; sheet metal shop; storage, commercial warehouse;
transportation facilities related to industry; veterinary
hospital with kennel; welding shop.
Accessory Buildings and Uses. Ail accessory buildings and
uses which are permitted in the underlying zoning dis-
trict(s), except that any detached accessory building on
any lot shall have on all sides the same architectural
features or shall be architecturally compatible with the
principal building(s) with which it is associated.
Minimum Lot Size. Ail lots in the U.S. 31 Overlay Zone
shall contain a minimum area of 217,800 square feet (5
acres). However, if a lot was recorded prior to
1980 ("Effective Date"), and said lot does not
contain the minimum area required by this section, said lot
("Undersized Lot") may be used for any use permitted in the
U.S. 31 Overlay Zone provided that:
(a) at the time of recordation of the Undersized Lot or
on the Effective Date, the Undersized Lot met the require-
ments for minimum lot size then in effect for a lot in the
underlying zoning district(s);
(b) the owner of the Undersized Lot must include, up to
the minimum lot size, any adjoining vacant land (not sepa-
rated by a street or public way) owned on or before the
effective date or at the time of application which, if
combined with the Undersized Lot, would create a lot which
conforms to the minimum lot size requirements of this
section; and
(c) all other applicable regulations of the U.S.
Overlay Zone can be met.
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23.01-10 Height and Area Requirements.
23.0t-10.1 Maximum Building Height. As specified in the under-
lying zoning district(s), except as follows:
(a) B-5 District - Ail uses, sixty (60) feet, except
that the maximum height may not exceed fifty percent
(50%) of the depth of the front yard. (For purposes of
this computation only, where access to the lot is by a
frontage road which is between the lot and U.S. 31, the
roadway width of such frontage or access road shall be
added to the depth of the front yard.)
(b) B-6 District - Ail uses, one hundred twenty
(120) feet, except that the maximum height may not
exceed the depth of the front yard. (For purposes of
this computation only, where access to the lot is by a
frontage road or similar access road which is between
the lot and U.S. 31, the roadway width of such frontage
or access road shall be added to the depth of the front
yard.)
23.01-10.2
Minimum Building Height. Ail uses, fourteen (14) feet,
with a minimum of twelve (12) feet to the lowest eaves
for a building with a gable, hip or gambrel roof.
23.01-10.3 Minimum Front Yard. Ail uses, ninety (90) feet.
23.01-10.4 Minimum Side Yard. Ail uses, forty-five (45) feet.
23.01-10.5 Minimum Rear Yard. Ail uses, forty-five (45) feet.
23.01-10.6 Minimum Aggregate of Side Yard. Ail uses, ninety (90)
feet.
23.01-10.7
Minimum Lot Width. For all uses, the lot width shall
equal or exceed that amount which is one-half (1/2) the
depth of the lot. However, if a lot was recorded prior
to , 1980 ("Effective Date"), and
said lot does not meet the minimum lot width require-
ments of this section, said lot ("Undersized Lot") may
be used for any use permitted in the UoS. 31 Overlay
Zone provided:
(a) At the time of the recordation of the Undersized
Lot or on the Effective Date, the Undersized Lot met
the requirements for minimum lot width then in effect
for the underlying zoning district(s);
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23.01-10.8
23.01-10.9
23.01-11
(b) The owner of the Undersized Lot must include, up
to the minimum lot size, any adjoining vacant land (not
separated by a street or public way) owned on or before
the effective date or at the time of application which,
if combined with the Undersized Lot, would create a lot
which conforms to the minimum lot width requirements of
this section; and
(c) All other applicable regulations of the U.S. 31
Overlay Zone can be met.
Minimum Gross Floor Area. Ail buildings shall have a
minimum of fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet of
floor area, excluding the floor area of any basement or
any accessory building(s). Assessory buildings shall
not be used in the computation of floor area. Acces-
sory buildings permitted need not meet the minimum
floor area requirement.
Maximum Lot Coverage. Ail uses,
(a) If all building(s) on the lot contain an aggre-
gate gross floor area of less than twenty-five thousand
(25,000) square feet, thirty-five percent (35%) of the
lot;
(b) If all building(s) on the lot contain an aggre-
gate gross floor area of between twenty-five thousand
(25,000) square feet and seventy-four thousand nine
hundred ninety-nine (74,999) square feet, forty-five
percent (45%) of the lot;
(c) If all building(s) on the lot contain an aggre-
gate gross floor area of between seventy-five thousand
(75,000) square feet and one hundred fifty thousand
(150,000) square feet, fifty-five percent (55%) of the
lot; and
(d) If all building(s) on the lot contain an aggre-
gate gross floor area in excess of one hundred fifty
thousand (150,000) square feet, sixty-five percent
(65%) of the lot.
Architectural Design Requirements. In reviewing the archi-
tectural design of building(s) proposed to be built in the
U.S. 31 Overlay Zone, factors to be considered by the Com-
mission shall include but are not limited to:
1. Scale and proportion;
2. Suitability of building materials;
3. Design in relation to surrounding buildings;
23.01-12
23.01 -12.1
23.01-12.2
4. Design in relation to topography of the site;
5. Design in relation to proposed landscaping~ and
6. Aesthetics of the proposed building, including color.
Landscaping Requirements°
Landscaping Plan. A Landscaping Plan shall be sub-
mitted to the Plan Commission for its approval at the
same time other plans (i.e. architectural design,
lighting, parking, and signage) are submitted° This
plan shall be drawn to scale, including dimensions and
distances, shall delineate all existing and proposed
structures, private parking areas, walks, ramps for
handicapped, terraces, drive-ways, signs, lighting
standards, steps and other similar structures, and
shall delineate the location, size and description of
all landscape material and the method to be used for
the watering or irrigation of all planting areas.
Landscape treatment for plazas, roads, paths, service
and private parking areas shall be designed as an
integral and coordinated part of the landscape plan for
the entire lot.
Areas to be Landscaped.
(a) Greenbelt. The Greenbelt shall be suitably
landscaped (see Section 23.01-12.3) and shall be other-
wise unoccupied except for steps, walks, terraces,
driveways, lighting standards, signs, and other similar
structures (excluding a private parking area). Mound-
ing and other innovative treatments are to be espe-
cially encouraged in this area.
(b) Planting Adjacent to Buildings. A planting
"area" equal to an area measuring twenty-five (25) feet
in depth by the width of the front of the building plus
twenty (20) feet (to extend ten (10) feet out on both
sides) shall be installed at the front of the building.
A planting "area" equal to an area ten (10) feet in
depth by the remaining sides of the building shall be
installed on all other sides of the building(s). Side-
walks may be permitted in these areas, but shall not
occupy the entire area on any side of the building(s)
[see Section 23.01-12.3(b)]. If an approach driveway
cuts into a planting area adjacent to the building,
additional planting area equal to the area displaced by
the driveway shall be added to the building perimeter
planting. These adjacent planting areas need not be
rectangular in shape as long as the required amount of
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23.01-1 2.3
space is landscaped, and innovative and original
designs are encouraged.
(c) Peripheral Planting. There shall be a peri-
pheral landscaping strip, four (4) feet in depth,
located along the side of any private parking area
which abuts any side or rear property line. At least
one tree for each fifty (50) lineal feet shall be
planted in any such peripheral landscaping strip.
(d) Planting Within Parking Lots. Ail parking lot
landscaping shall be of a quality to improve and
enhance the site and its surrounding area. Effective
use of mounding and existing topography is encouraged.
Landscaping and planting areas shall be reasonably
dispersed throughout the parking area, and not less
than five percent (5%) of a private parking lot shall
be landscaped. (For purposes of this computation,
landscaping in the Greenbelt, adjacent to the build-
ing(s) and on the periphery of the lot shall not be
included.)
(e) Minimum Total Landscaping Required. Inclusive
of the Greenbelt, the planting adjacent to the build-
ing(s), the peripheral planting, and the planting with-
in parking lots, a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of
the lot shall be landscaped at the ground level.
Landscaping Standards.
(a) The interior dimensions, specifications and
design of any planting area or planting median proposed
to be constructed shall be sufficient to protect the
landscaping materials planted therein and to provide
for proper growth.
(b) The primary landscaping materials used in the
Greenbelt and adjacent to buildings shall be shade
trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, ground covers, grass,
mulches, etc.
(c) The primary landscaping materials used in and
around private parking areas shall be trees which
provide shade at maturity. Shrubbery, hedges, and
other planting material may be used to compliment tree
landscaping, but shall not be the sole contribution to
the landscaping.
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(d) Ail shade trees proposed to be used in accor-
dance with any landscaping plan shall be a minimum of
eight to ten feet in overall height and have a minimum
trunk diameter, twelve (12) inches above the ground of
two to two and one-half (2-2-1/2) inches upon planting.
They should be of a variety which will attain an
average mature spread greater than twenty (20) feet.
(e) Landscaping materials selected should be appro-
priate to local growing and climatic conditions.
Wherever appropriate, existing trees should be con-
served and integrated into the landscaping plan.
23.01-12.4 Landscaping Installation and Maintenance.
(a) Installation. Ail landscaping required by the
approved landscaping plan shall be installed within six
(6) months of the first occupancy of the building(s) on
the lot.
(b) Maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of
the owners and their agencies to insure proper mainte-
nance of the landscaping, in accordance with the stan-
dards set by this Ordinance and as indicated on the
landscaping plan which has been approved by the Plan
Commission. This is to include, but is not limited
to, replacing dead plantings with identical varieties
or a suitable substitute, and keeping the area free of
refuse and debris.
(c) Changes after Approval. No landscaping which
has been approved by the Plan Commission may later be
altered, eliminated or sacrificed, without first
obtaining further Plan Commission approval.
(d) Inspection. The Plan Commission, Building
Commissioner, or their duly appointed representative,
shall have the authority to visit any lot within the
U.S. 31 Overlay Zone to inspect the landscaping and
check it against the approved plan on file.
23.01-13
Parking Requirements. Parking is to be discouraged between
the Greenbelt and the building(s) when other suitable areas
for parking exist on the property; however, private parking
may be permitted in the area between the Greenbelt and the
planting adjacent to the building(s) and the planting on
the periphery of the property. Efforts to break up large
expanses of pavement are to be encouraged by the inter-
spercing of appropriate planting areas wherever possible.
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23.01-14.
23.01-15
The number of parking spaces required are as established
elsewhere in this Ordinance, depending upon the zoning and
the intended land use. However, there shall be an appro-
priate number of parking spaces, accessible to the build-
ing(s) and identified as reserved for use by handicapped
individuals, and these spaces shall be of sufficient width
(minimum of twelve (12) feet) to accommodate their needs.
Lighting Requirements. In reviewing the lighting plan for
a lot proposed to be developed in the U.S. 31 Overlay Zone,
factors to be considered by the Co~mission shall include
but are not limited to:
1. Safety provided by the lighting.
2. Security provided by the lighting.
3. Possible light spillage or glare onto adjoining
properties or streets.
4. Attractiveness of the lighting standards and their
compatibility with the overall treatment of the
property.
5. Height and placement of lighting standards
considering the use.
Access to Individual Lots. As U.S. 31 is a limited access
highway, and as access to individual lots along this high-
way is either not in existence or not clearly defined in
many cases as of the Effective Date of this Ordinance,
access roads will need to be built. In order to preserve
the aesthetic benefits provided by the Greenbelt, access
roads shall be provided at the rear of all lots, whenever
possible. Access roads to contiguous lots shall be coordi-
nated so as to form one main access road to those adjoining
developments. These roads should be designed so as to
funnel traffic onto major arterial roads rather than into
residential areas and roads which may adjoin or be near
this Overlay Zone.
23.01-16
23.01-16.1
23.01-16.2
Other Requirements.
Outside Storag~ of Refuse. No outside, unenclosed
storage of refuse (whether or not in containers) or
display of merchandise shall be permitted on any lot.
Ail refuse shall be contained completely within the
principle or accessory building(s).
Loading Berth Requirements. Loading berth requirements
shall be as specified in the underlying zoning dis-
trict(s), except that any loading or unloading berth or
bay which faces or is visible from U.S. 31 shall be
screened by landscaping or other screening.
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23.01-17 Application Procedure.
23.01-17.1
Consultation with Building Commissioner and Applica-
tion. Applicants shall meet with the Building Commis-
sioner to review the zoning classification of their
site, obtain copies of the regulatory ordinances and
materials, if necessary, review the procedures and
examine the proposed use and development of the prop-
erty. The Building Commissioner shall aid and advise
the applicant in preparing his application and support-
ing documents as necessary. The applicant shall submit
two (2) copies of the written application form; five
(5) copies of the site plan and the required informa-
tion on architectural design, landscaping, parking,
signage, lighting and access, as well as all necessary
supporting documents and materials; along with the
application fee of $250.00.
23.01-17.2
Initial Review of the Application and Supporting Docu-
ments and Materials by the Building Commissioner; Sub-
mission to the Commission. Following the receipt of
the written application, site plan and required infor-
mation, necessary supporting documents and/or mate-
rials, and the application fee by the Building Commis-
sioner, he shall then review the materials solely for
the purpose of determining whether the application is
complete, in technical compliance with all applicable
ordinances, laws and regulations and is to be forwarded
to the Commission. If the materials submitted by the
applicant are not complete or do not comply with the
necessary legal requirements, the Building Commissioner
shall inform the applicant, in writing, within ten (10)
days of receipt of the materials, of the deficiencies
in said materials. Unless and until the Building
Commissioner formally accepts the application as com-
plete and in legal compliance, it shall not be con-
sidered as formally filed for the purpose of proceeding
to succeeding steps toward approval as hereinafter set
forth. Within thirty (30) days of the formal accept-
ance of the application by the Building Commissioner,
he shall formally file the application by placing it
upon the agenda of the Commission, according to Com-
mission rules of procedure.
23.01 -17.3
Review and Approval or Denial of the Application by the
Commission. Following review of the application at a
Plan Commission meeting, the Commission shall, within
forty-five (45) days of said meeting, examine and
review the application and shall notify the applicant
10
in writing of any further changes which are required
before approval or denial of the application can be
given. Within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of
materials incorporating the required changes into the
application, the Commission shall then approve or deny
the application, and if denied, shall provide the
applicant with a copy of said reasons if requested.
Upon approval of the application, the Commission shall
inform the Building Commissioner that he may issue
improvement location permits for the approved plan and
inform the applicant that he may apply to the Building
Commissioner for improvement location permits for the
approved plan if necessary. If denied, the Commission
shall so inform the applicant, in writing, and the
Building Commissioner.