HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.24.23 Special CC Meeting MinutesCOMMON COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2023 – 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Council President Jeff Worrell, Council Members: Laura Campbell, Tony Green, Teresa Ayers,
Kevin Rider, Adam Aasen, Miles Nelson, Timothy Hannon, Sue Finkham and Deputy Clerk
Jessica Komp were present.
Council President Jeff Worrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
INVOCATION
Council Chaplain Kevin Rider delivered the Invocation.
Councilor Ayers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
Steve Baughman, of the Overlook at Legacy neighborhood, addressed the Council. Mr.
Baughman has attended every meeting that he was able to over the last year and a half in regard
to the Connor Prairie PUD. Although he is not sure what the final decisions will be, he believes
that some issues have been worked out that will help his neighborhood. Steve will continue to
stay involved as the project develops and hopes that issues that could affect home values and
quality of life for those in his neighborhood will not happen.
Jim Roehrdanz, President of the Overlook Homeowners’ Association, addressed the Council.
Mr. Roehrdanz has previously spoken with the Plan Commission and the Common Council
regarding the Connor Prairie PUD. He thanked Connor Prairie for their willingness to work with
the Overlook HOA on issues concerning the neighborhood, and he said that they have worked on
some productive aspects, such as landscaping. He looks forward to continuing a productive
dialogue as the project progresses with both Connor Prairie, and with the City of Carmel, if
necessary, if either visual or audible issues arise. The Overlook HOA appreciates the extensive
efforts of members of the Council and Plan Commission to refine the final draft of this project.
COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS
There were none.
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OLD BUSINESS
a. Fifth Reading of Ordinance Z-683-23; An Ordinance of the Common Council of
the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing the Conner Prairie Innovation District
Planned Unit Development District; Sponsor: Councilor Aasen. Remains in the
Land Use and Special Studies Committee.
Synopsis:
Ordinance Establishes the Conner Prairie West Innovation District Planned Unit
Development Ordinance (the “Conner Prairie PUD”). The Ordinance would rezone
the real estate from S-1 Residential and Legacy PUD (Ordinance Z-501-07) to a
Planned Unit Development district allowing the expansion of the Conner Prairie
Museum onto the site in a style and character as depicted on the attached Concept
Plan and Character Imagery.
Ordinance Z-683-23 was removed from committee at this meeting for discussion and a final
vote. President Worrell asked Corporation Counsel, Benjamin Legge, to go through each of the
red-line items in the most recent versions of the agreement, highlighting each of the suggested
changes:
Section 4.1.B.1 – General and Professional Office
Reduction in the maximum square footage permitted for office space from 70,000 SF to 55,000
SF.
Section 4.1.B.4. – General Retail Sales
Reduction in retail space from 20,000 SF to 15,000 SF, and sales shall be associated with on-site
activities.
Section 4.2 – Districts / Zones
Zones may be changed in area within 150 feet of the perimeter of the zones, to allow some
flexibility for what may be underground.
Section 4.3.H.1. – Maximum Building Height
One windmill allowed, with height reduced from 75 feet to 36 feet, with no turbine.
Section 4.3.H.2. – Zone 2
Reduction of Land, Water & Energy Innovation Center from 3 to 2 stories, and from 52-foot
building height to 36-foot building height maximums
Section 4.3.H.3. – Zone 1
One building allowed in Zone 1, (agricultural, educational, or museum-oriented focus –
accessory structure only) shall be exempt from the maximum building height and shall be
constructed of natural materials, with no advertising or signage on it.
Section 4.3.I. – Maximum Building Area
The 2nd floor of the White River Education & Ecology Center shall be a maximum of 15,000 SF.
Section 4.4.C – Primary Buildings
The number of cabins will be limited to twenty-five (25).
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Section 5.1.E.& F- Landscaping Maintenance
Connor Prairie must provide necessary irrigation and watering to the landscape. All landscaping
will be inspected and audited at the request of the Carmel Urban Forester to confirm required
maintenance and replacement of all landscape included on any approved landscape plan.
Section 5.9.- Additional Landscape Screening
Connor Prairie will coordinate with the Legacy HOA’s to install as many as ten (10) trees and
twenty (20) shrubs, at the cost of Connor Prairie, in the vicinities of both the SW quadrant and
the NW quadrant of the River Road and Cherry Creek Boulevard round-a-bout. Coordination
will take place prior to the Development Plan review, and at the time of the tree installation.
Installation shall take place no later than the time of construction of the first building on the Real
Estate. After one (1) year, maintenance shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property
where landscape was installed.
Section 5.10. – Overlook at Legacy Landscape Enhancements
Connor Prairie is required to coordinate with the Legacy HOA’s in regard to the installation of
the River Road Buffer north of Cherry Creek Boulevard across from the Prairie at Legacy River
Road frontage, prior to the Development Plan review, and at the time of installation. The
landscaping shall be supplemented with additional evergreen trees at the rate of eight (8) per two
hundred (200) feet of Buffer Yard. Trees may be grouped to enhance screening as long as total
number required is met. The River Road perimeter of all parking areas shall be screened with
evergreen shrubs planted at one (1) shrub per three (3) feet of parking area. All landscaping is
subject to final approval by the Carmel Urban Forester. Installation of landscaping outside of the
Real Estate must be approved by the Legacy HOA’s.
Section 9.1.C.1 – Rights-of-Way and Access
Pedestrian crosswalks shall be provided on all sides of the River Road & Cherry Creek
Boulevard intersection.
Section 9.1.C.3. - Driveway cut
Driveway cut connecting into the Connor Prairie property from River Road south of Cherry
Creek Boulevard is not permitted. If this is desired later, Connor Prairie must come back to
Council for approval.
Section 9.1.H. & J. – Crosswalks & Driveway Cuts
All crosswalks, driveway cuts and other vehicular connections within the City’s right-of-way
will be coordinated with and if required, approved by the City’s Engineering Department, which
may impose additional requirements or conditions. The round-a-bout at Cherry Creek Boulevard
and River Road will include Reflective Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), or the equivalent,
crosswalks.
Section 9.6. – Public Address Systems and Amplified Sounds
PA Systems will be limited to public safety messaging only. The use of amplified sound that can
be heard from a point no closer than the property line of residentially zoned private property
from Sunday to Thursday (excluding public holidays) after 8:00 p.m. is prohibited. The City
Noise Ordinance applies to Fridays, weekends, and holidays after 11:00 p.m.
Section 9.7. – Special Events
Parking shall be limited to on-site parking by Zone. Special Event parking can overflow into
Zone 2 if prior approval is granted by the Board of Public Works and Safety. All offsite parking
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(outside the Real Estate) is prohibited. Special Events are limited to 36 days per calendar year
(reduced from 52 days). Connor Prairie must provide a minimum of 60 days’ notice (increased
from 14 days) to the City of Carmel DOCS and Carmel Police Department for all Special Events.
Special Events shall not take place between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. from Monday to Thursday,
and not between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. from Friday to Sunday. Adequate traffic
control and security will be provided by Connor Prairie to ensure safe and steady flow of
pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Special Events in Zone 2 may not exceed two (2) events in any
seventy-two (72) hour period, and no more than eight (8) per month. Any temporary structures
erected shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height and shall promptly be removed upon
conclusion of Special Event. In Zone 2, vehicles used to shuttle guests during Special Event shall
be electric vehicles.
Section 10.1.B.
The location of outdoor event spaces shall be included on the Development Plan for the Real
Estate. The space design shall include sound, light and noise mitigation measures, which shall be
submitted as part of the Development Plan review process.
Section 10.3. – Modifications of Development Requirements (Zone Waiver)
The Plan Commission may, after a public hearing, grant an applicant a Zoning Waiver subject to
the requirements of the UDO, and any conditions by the Plan Commission.
Section 10.4. – Variance of Development Requirements
The BZA shall hear Variance requests from the terms of the Connor Prairie Ordinance, subject to
the procedures prescribed in the UDO.
Councilor Rider asked the Petitioner to speak about their thoughts on all of the changes
requested. Jon Dobosiewicz of Nelson & Frankenburger, legal counsel for the Petitioner, stated
that they are comfortable with the changes, and will work in earnest with the City of Carmel
legal department to produce a clean document to be signed by the Council by noon the next day.
(October 25, 2023)
VOTE
Councilor Rider made a motion to amend the PUD as reviewed, and to be finalized by legal.
Councilor Campbell seconded. There was no Council discussion. Council President Worrell
called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved 9-0.
Councilor Rider moved to approve Ordinance Z-683-23 as amended. There was no discussion.
Council President Worrell called for the vote. Motion approved 9-0.
AGENDA ADD-ON ITEMS
There were none.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
There were none.
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ADJOURNMENT
Council President Worrell adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________________
Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
Approved,
___________________________________
Jeff Worrell, Council President
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
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