HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #59 Paul & Penny ZalePaul and Penny Zale
7219 Delmont Dr.
Carmel, IN 46033
August 16, 2023
Carmel City Council
Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Carmel City Council Members,
We are writing to express our remaining concerns for Docket PZ-2022-00172. Please document this as a
public record from the planning commission meeting dated July 25, 2023, to be addressed during the
City Council meeting on August 21, 2023, for ordinance Z-683-23.
We have been Northeastern Carmel residents for over twenty years. We moved to the Overlook Legacy
neighborhood just over two years ago for its rural, natural, peaceful, spacious, low traffic amenities from
our previous home two miles away near Hazel Dell Parkway. The proposed PUD/Ordinance will
jeopardize this natural residential 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 were unable to attend the latest planning commission meeting but did watch the recording. Conner
Prairie made changes that considered our community concerns, thanks to them. Ideally, we would like
to not see this land developed, but understand that is highly unlikely. Given that situation we would like
Conner Prairie to address the following at a minimum prior to City Council approval:
1. Maximum Building Heights — All buildings limited to 36', the Office use of 52' is nearly double
the height of the residential homes in The Overlook and will be obtrusive to the sight lines even
after screening. 2-story 36' maximum height would be good solution even if the footprint of the
office grows to accommodate this requirement.
2. Zones:
a. Ideally zone 2 be designated as a park to preserve the natural look and feel the residents
of the area.
b. If Zone 2 is not entirely designated as a park or similar, then maximize its use to the
public and minimize the building heights.
3. Sub -dividing and waivers (Section 10.3) —Need to remove from the PUD as there would be
unknown or unanticipated impacts to the residents of Carmel. If not removed, add language
preventing sale or other use by entities beyond Conner Prairie?
4. Power Generating Plant (Small Scale):
a. Thank you to Conner Prairie for designating Power generation to be for on -site
consumption and/or demonstration purposes only.
b. Small -Scale Wind Generation — Understand the need for it to be "high," but 70' is
remarkably high for the area. It would be ideal for Conner Prairie to designate exactly
where this would go and limit the quantity to one.
Open Space Plan — 85% sounds wonderful, but please further define how this is measured and
how it will be adhered to in perpetuity.
We ask the Carmel City Council to evaluate what is of value to their constituents in this area and work to
ensure that any potential development takes place with the community's desires represented and
fulfilled by those we elect.
Sincerely,
C3 \7j""_
Paul and Penny Zale