Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 04-16-242 CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION DEPARTMENT REPORT APRIL 16, 2024 2. Docket No. PZ-2024-00038 CPA: 2025-2029 Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP). The applicant seeks to update the Zone Improvement Plan, upon which the parks and recreation impact fee is based, and to incorporate the ZIP into the Carmel Comprehensive Plan. Filed by the Carmel Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission. 3. Docket No. PZ-2024-00039 OA: Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Ordinance Amendment. The applicant seeks to amend the Unified Development Ordinance in order to update existing impact fee provisions, as well as their definitions. The proposal would renew the impact fee that is currently imposed on new residential development to defray the cost of new parks and recreation infrastructure, for an additional five years (from 2025 to 2029). Filed by the Carmel Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission. Project Overview: Please view the informational packet for detailed methodology and fee calculations. Unlike the previous agenda item regarding impact fee credit procedures, the purpose of this proposal is to establish the Parks and Recreation Impact Fees (PRIF) for the next five-year period, 2025-2029. To establish these impact fees is two-fold: 1. Updating the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) which serves as the basis for the calculation of the impact fee. The updated ZIP will be established as part of the Carmel Comprehensive Plan. 2. Amend the impact fee ordinance section of the UDO to correspond with the fees proposed in the ZIP. The UDO is the mechanism for the fees to be collected and allocated. The impact fees described in the proposed ZIP are intended to continue to shift the cost of new and expanded park facilities from the community at large to the new development that is generating the need for those new and expanded facilities. The current Impact Fee Ordinance was established in 2020 at an amount of $4,882 per housing unit. This plan proposes a phased-in 10% annual increase from the current fee over a five-year period. The effective date is subject to a six-month waiting period that would begin no sooner than January 1, 2025. Revised ZIP Exhibits: Revisions are reflected in the Info Packet in Laserfiche. The ZIP that was originally sent in your informational packet contained two exhibits at the very end. After further discussion, both have been revised. Other information remains the same. Exhibit A: Maps of Impact Zone has been revised to show only facilities owned by Carmel Clay Parks Recreation. Exhibit B: Indianapolis Metro Area Impact Fee Amounts has been revised to remove Pendleton from the comparison graph because their impact fee is currently under litigation. April 9, 2024 Impact Fee Advisory Committee Recap: Under state statute, an impact fee advisory committee’s purpose is to assist and advise the City and Park Board in the adoption of an impact fee ordinance. In Carmel, the impact fee advisory committee is composed of the members of the Plan Commission. The committee met on April 9 with several members of the Park Board also present. Michael Klitzing, Director of Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation, gave a detailed presentation regarding the history of impact fees in Carmel, the progress of the current ZIP, permit activity, estimates of new infrastructure costs, current & community level of service, and the proposed rate schedule. Matt Eckerle of Baker Tilly was also present to answer questions. A wide range of discussion and questions occurred, including the rationale for the phased 10% increase, concerns from the builder’s association (BAGI), barriers to housing affordability, and whether 3 estimates account for potentially decreased revenue from limited remaining developable land or future impact fee credits. After additional discussion about process and procedure, the committee ultimately issued a “not unfavorable no recommendation” with interest in continuing discussion at the Plan Commission meeting. Recommendation: The Department of Community Services recommends the Plan Commission sends these items to the City Council with a favorable recommendation. If additional discussion is needed, then they should be sent to the Plan Commission Committee on Thursday, May 9, with final voting authority.