HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #19 Paul & Penny ZalePaul and Penny Zaie
7219 Delmont Dr,
Carmel, IN 46033
October 17, 2022
Joe Shestak
City of Carmel Plan Commission
Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Mr. Shestak and Carmel Plan Commission,
We are writing to express our concerns regarding Docket PZ-22022-00172. Please document this as
public record for the planning commission meeting scheduled October 18, 2022.
We have been Northeastern Carmel residents for nearly twenty years. We moved to the Overlook
Legacy neighborhood about two years ago for its rural, nature, quiet, spacious, low traffic area from our
previous home two miles away near Hazel Dell Parkway. The proposed PUD will jeopardize this look and
feel we desired when choosing this area and neighborhood to build. We believe that many of our
neighbors feel the same way.
We are not against using the proposed site for Conner Prairie's development, but do think several things
need to be addressed to preserve the look and feel of our community:
1. Power Generating Plant (Small Scale) —This needs to be further defined to understand impact to
residential community.
2. Small -Scale Wind Generation —This will not be consistent with the look and feel of the
residential community, the turbine will be tall, obtrusive, and not consistent with why residence
chose this part of Carmel.
3. Small Scale Solar — Provisions need to be made to assure the community that screening, or
landscaping will be placed to shield the view for those West of River Road.
4. Maximum Building Heights — These seem to be backwards in allowing higher buildings in Zone 2
and 3 versus Zone 1. Zone 1 is closer to commercial development along 146t" Street, which
would be more consistent with taller buildings. Zones 2 and 3 need to be more consistent with
the residential building heights that are in the adjacent communities along the West side of
River Road.
5. Sub -dividing and waivers — Need to be better defined or removed to not give blanket approval
for future changes to the PUD that were unknown or unanticipated by the residence of the area.
6. Zones — Zone 1 should be used for the commercial development (North 70% of Zone 1 in
particular), while Zones 2 and 3 would be better utilized for the farming and nature aspect of
the plan, this will be more consistent with what currently exists along River Road. This would
also create visual advertising to passersby of the amenities Conner Prairie has planned.
7. Landscaping — Clearly define minimum standards for plantings along River Road to shield
residential area along the West from noise, light, and traffic.
8. Traffic — River Road is two lanes and not capable of handling the traffic this would create,
especially around Prairie Trace Elementary during the school year. Moving most of the
development to Zone 1 would help with this issue as widening River Road to the North is more
achievable if needed.
We do think with careful consideration of the area immediately West of River Road and a willingness to
work with the community there is a path to a reasonable plan that benefits all involved in this proposal.
We implore you to not approve this proposal in its current form, but to have it reworked to consider the
above items and others the residences have expressed.
Sincerely,
f r`
Paul and Penny Zale
Pell VI S4 (4'. - Z/ .