HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket for HO 08-22-22James A. Trachtman
12 Ironwood Ct.
Carmel, IN 46033
trachtmanj@gmail.com
(317)354-7579
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer (BZA-HO)
Carmel City Hall
1 Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer (BZA-HO)
This letter serves as an introduction memo for our requested fence variance project (Docket No. PZ-
2022-00108 V) scheduled for public hearing on August 22, 2022, at 5:00 PM
Our home at 12 Ironwood Ct. backs to E. Main Street between Keystone Pkwy. and Gray Road. I request
a fence height variance to enable me to replace an existing 8' tall "L" shaped cedar, shadowbox, fence in
our backyard with the same.
We hope that you will support this fence variance request.
rlt'ltj�W7
A. Trachtman
James A. Trachtman
12 Ironwood Ct.
Carmel, IN 46033
trachtmanj@gmail.com
(317)354-7579
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer (BZA-HO)
Carmel City Hall
1 Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer (BZA-HO)
Statement of Variance Request:
We are seeking a variance from UDO Section 5.09.13 — Maximum Height. The variance sought is to permit
the replacement of an existing 8' tall fence with the same.
12 Ironwood Court sits well below E. Main Street as the street has a significant vertical curve of app. 8 ft.
immediately to the south of 12 Ironwood Ct. Main Street has become a very busy street over the years
and the road noise is significant. Installing the prescribed 6' tall fence will provide very little privacy with
driver and pedestrian sightlines being directly into the home and backyard. I request a variance to allow
for the replacement of an existing 8' tall cedar, shadowbox fence with the same.
Statement of Support
Our home at 12 Ironwood Ct. backs to E. Main Street between Keystone Pkwy. and Gray Road. I request
a fence height variance in order for my family to continue to enjoy a somewhat private backyard and
patio as we have since purchasing the home in 1996. Our home sits well below (5'-8' ft.) E. Main Street
and the pedestrian path that was installed around 2015.Our existing 8' tall fence reduces road noise to
some extent and blocks a direct sightline from pedestrians and drivers into our yard and home.
An 8'tall "L" shaped cedar, shadowbox, fence in our backyard long pre -dates our purchase of the home
in 1996. In 2000 we replaced the existing but deteriorating fence with same and it is our request to do
so again in 2022. With the passing of every yeartraffic on E. Main Street increases and while the
pedestrian path along the north side of E. Main Street has great benefit, many trees were removed for
its construction reducing the natural visual and noise barrier. Additionally, earlier this year Duke Energy
removed most trees and shrubs in the "island" between E. Main Street and the pedestrian trail, further
reducing natural screening.
Our existing 8' fence does not negatively impact neighbors, pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists and we
simply request that we be allowed to keep what we've always had.
V
ry
1-0
LA
;}
4-
3
A
®
4 c�
J o
i LO
W
U
L
C6
CL
cc
E
U
(B
0 1 -
N
N
O
N
0
0 0
0
o -io a
a
cm
c
7j=■7
14
4RAM
J
/ i _
`T
i �-_'-". __t--_
- �--�
_
-�
�
Sl
-1._1.___ _' - '-� -. 7:
.] -
3
,�.a. r — - - -
-�,,
� ��z _ .�
(g
V
- _,
FINDINGS OF FACT SHEET - DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS VARIANCE
CARMEL ADVISORY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
(Petitioner to fill out 1-3 + first two blanks)
Docket No. PZ-2022-00108 V
Petitioner: James A. Trachtman
The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the
community because:
The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare of
the community because it is a simple fence replacement, replacing the existing cedar, shadowbox fence,
96 inches in height, with the same. In fact, it will be an aesthetic improvement to the area.
2. The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a
substantially adverse manner because:
Because it does not change existing conditions. There has been a 96 inch tall cedar, shadowbox fence in
this location for well over 30 years and this variance will simply allow for the same. The fence obstructs
no views beyond those directly into the backyard at 12 Ironwood Court.
3. The strict application of the terms of the Unified Development to the property will result in practical difficulties in
the use of the property because:
12 Ironwood Court sits well below E. Main Street as the street has a significant vertical curve of app. 8 ft.
immediately to the south of 12 Ironwood Ct. Main Street has become a very busy street over the years and
the road noise is significant. Installing the prescribed 72 inch tall fence will provide very little privacy with
driver and pedestrian sightline being directly into the home and backyard. As is, use the backyard
continues to be made more challenging by increased traffic, so to be compelled to reduce the height of
the existing fence would make use of the backyard and patio more unappealing and reduce our quality of
life.
DECISION
IT IS THEREFORE the decision of the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals that Development Standards Variance Docket
No. is granted, subject to any conditions stated in the minutes of this Board, which are
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Adopted this day of , 20
HEARING OFFICER, Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals
SECRETARY, Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals
Conditions of approval of the Board, if any, are listed on the Letter of Grant.
Page 7 of 11 File. Document1 Revised01/03/2022