HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #49 Bill & Marsha Shannon Bill and Marsha Shannon
14065 Trueblood Lane RECEIVEDCarmel, IN 46033
June 24, 2023 JUN 2 6 2023
Mr. Joe Shestak BY:
City of Carmel Plan Commission
Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 40632
RE: DOCKET PZ-2022-00172 Conner Prairie
Plan Committee Meeting June 29, 2023
Dear Mr. Shestak and Members of Carmel Plan Commission,
In reference to the upcoming Plan Commission meeting regarding Conner Prairie's request for
rezoning its property west of the White River to a PUD, we are writing to let you know we have
many concerns about the proposed development of the only natural area along the White River
in Carmel not developed. The old tree growth makes it an ideal natural habitat for deer,
coyotes, many birds including owls, red-tailed hawks as well as bald eagles have been seen in
River Road Park to the south.
The construction of a wind mill (how tall?), solar panels (how many?), farm-to-table restaurant,
eco-lodge hotel (how many rooms?), cabins (how many?), nature center, professional office
building (how tall? how many offices?), possible bike shop and/or ice cream shop, walking
trails, a pedestrian bridge across the White River, and parking lots seem dense for the
buildable space between 146th Street at the north end, River Road to the west, and east of
Prairie Trace Elementary school on the southern boundary. We have studied your PUD plans
and it would be more desirable to have the "commercial" buildings/development north of the
roundabout at Cherry Creek Boulevard and River Road in proposed Zone 1 where there is more
space, fewer trees to be cut down, and fewer residential homes/condominiums on the west
side of River Road to be impacted by the development. Also it would be more in keeping with
commercial area on the west side of River Road: the shopping center just east of River Road,
the Harvest Church, and the 63-acre Thomas Marcuccilli Park with plans for wedding
photography venues, walking trails and toilet buildings (the eco-lodge hotel could be across
from Thomas Marcuccilli Park).
While we are not opposed to some development, a blanket PUD approval would change the
use of the land dramatically—just look at The Legacy PUD and what has been built in it and the
proposed additional dense housing building request already submitted to the Plan Commission
for approval. The traffic is at its maximum now especially during morning school opening and
afternoon closing hours. River Road was reconstructed seven years ago and it was not
designed for the proposed increase in traffic density. The east side corridor of Carmel is under
"construction overload" with all the development in Noblesville to the north of 146th Street near
River Road and the new two-year construction of 146th Street overpass/Allisonville Road
roundabout intersection to the east.
We strongly oppose the current proposal to the Plan Commission. We would like to see Zone 1
to include the proposed office building, farm-to-table restaurant, eco-lodge hotel, and all other
structures. Please keep Zone 2 a park-like environment with walking paths and limited parking
spaces. Other concerns are: the building heights—the PUD has higher height limits and would
override the one-story height limit along White River ordinance; lighting and noise; extra
parking and deliveries—all of these will change this area forever.
We have lived in Carmel for 20 years—moving here from high traffic, dense living Fairfield
County, Connecticut. We chose to live on the northeast side in Brooks Landing at Prairieview
for 12 years and then downsized to The Legacy Overlook for the open space, quiet, and nature
views. If this proposed development of the west side of River Road is allowed, then the open
spaces, quiet, and nature will be lost.
•
* 4R1r
t 1 }
to
.3
Now every time I think of Conner Prairie I get the Joni Mitchell 1969 song "Big Yellow Taxi" in
my head...
"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Til it's gone
They paved over paradise
And put in a parking lot."
Please don't let that happen to this property. It is paradise right now.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Marsha and Bill Shannon