HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #15 Mary Podany
Shestak, Joe
From:Mary Podany <mepodany@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, November 21, 2022 10:31 PM
To:Shestak, Joe
Subject:11/28 BZA Meeting - Insurance Office Variances
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
To the Members of the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals:
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the public hearing regarding the residence at 4991 E. Main Street. I
have concerns regarding the proposal to convert this to a commercial property. My family and I reside in the
Trails at Avian Glen (TAG) neighborhood directly across the street from the stated property. My children
regularly walk to and from Clay Middle School and Badger Fields. Adding a business to this area will only
serve to increase traffic congestion and make it even more dangerous for our kids to cross Main Street. In
addition, one of the reasons that we chose to move to east Carmel as opposed to midtown or the arts and
design district was to remove ourselves from commercial areas of Carmel and enjoy a quieter, suburban
lifestyle for our family. There are many residences along Main Street and allowing the petitioner to skirt the
appropriate process by going through the variance process as opposed to the formal application for rezoning
simply sets a precedent for other businesses.
Additionally, the added signs and permanently parked car will only serve to advertise in an area that is free of
commercial properties and advertisements. Carmel has strict sign codes for a reason, even in areas that are
mainly commercial in nature. They are unsightly and they detract from the beauty of the area. The lighting that
is being proposed will only add to the light pollution. For the past few years, Carmel has chosen to set off
fireworks on the 4th of July from Badger Fields. One of the greatest things about our location is that we can
easily sit and watch these from our back porch. With additional light pollution, this might not be the case any
more.
In a day in age when much of the insurance business is completed virtually, that is over the phone or online, it
doesn't seem necessary for this petitioner to have a THIRD office within a five minute drive of the residence at
4991 E. Main St. This petitioner is actually our State Farm agent and I can tell you that I have NEVER had a
reason to go to her office and complete business. All of the necessary documents have been emailed and
signed electronically. I believe she is only trying to add additional advertising for her business rather than
actually NEEDING a third location. When most of her business most likely comes from home insurance, it is
clear why she would want to advertise in this prime location, however, it is not what the area was intended for,
as this is a residential area.
The sellers do not have a hardship when it comes to selling this property. They bought the property for far
lower than what they are currently asking AND it is assessed at an even lower amount. If the seller would list
the property at market value, then it would sell quickly and could easily become another lovely residential
home along this beautiful section of Main Street.
The petitioner shared a picture of her Broad Ripple office as proof that she can coexist with residential
neighbors, however, even in the picture it is clear that she does not have residential neighbors as there is a
hair salon next door to that particular business. Again, this particular section of Carmel is a protected
residential area chosen specifically by many people because of the lack of commercial properties in the area.
There are many empty or for sale or lease properties that are already zoned as commercial that the petitioner
could use if she is in fact in need of a THIRD location for her small business.
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I urge you to protect our residential area, the safety of our children, and adherence to policies and procedures
that have been put in place to prevent such circumventing in our wonderful city.
Sincerely,
~Mary Podany
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