HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #76 Gus Navarra
Date: 4/14/2024
To: Carmel Plan Commission members and City Councilors and Mayor Sue Finkam
From: Gus Navarra, Jackson’s Grant (JG) resident
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The 21 acres parcel at the Northwest corner of 116 & Spring Mill Road known as Jackson’s
Grant Village (JGV) was zoned S-2 Low density Single family residential when we invested in and
purchased homes in JG with the expectation the zoning in JGV would remain the same.
In 2020, Republic Dev. requested a zoning change from S-2 to Mixed Use PUD with significantly
higher density and commercial space.
This proposed zoning change was against the strong majority of JG residents and was
contentiously remonstrated against.
The Plan Commission at the time agreed and voted an “UNFAVORABLE” recommendation to the
City Council for the proposed zoning change.
In a close vote of 5-3 (missing 1 Councilor vote due to illness) the zoning change was approved
by the City Council in spite of the strong majority of residents posting over 100 letters on the
docket against the zoning change.
When the zoning change was approved by the City Council it was deemed to be a “SMALL
commercial node” with up to 20,000 SF commercial space + 52 TH’s + 19 single family homes.
The “Cunningham Property” was discussed at that time and it was noted when the
“Cunningham Property” sold it was planned to be seamlessly integrated into the JGV PUD with
additional townhomes.
That was the DOCS and Republic’s “vision” stated at the time.
Has this “vision” now changed merely because a developer has proposed to build a daycare
there?
The initial JGV PUD was not planned to add MORE Commercial space with a 160 students
daycare and 60 additional parking spaces.
So, here we are again remonstrating against another zoning change proposed for JGV.
And Again, another strong majority, +90% , of JG residents have voted Against this proposed
zoning change.
JG residents have a Vision for JGV, and it is to remain “as is” without adding any more
commercial space. OUR Vision has not changed.
It has been stated a daycare is an approved use for the commercial space in JGV, so let’s be
clear, just take it from the 20,000 SF already approved commercial space in the original JGV
PUD, and work this out with Republic Dev.,
…and do NOT add any more commercial space.
One of the Top 3 and most valued items stated from the public in the City’s new
Comprehensive Plan is Safety,
This daycare inserted in the middle of a residential neighborhood is a safety concern for many
of us living in JG. We support daycares in a more appropriate and commercially centric area.
We frequently have speeding and cut thru on Jackson’s Grant Blvd. to access Spring Mill Road
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and avoid the roundabout at 116 St., this new 160 student daycare will exacerbate this issue.
We live it and experience it daily even without the new daycare built.
Many letters on the docket have communicated this concern.
Our elected City Councilors and our new Mayor campaigned recently on transparency and
allowing public input to be taken seriously and to be represented fairly regarding zoning
changes proposed in existing neighborhoods.
Please “walk the talk” and listen to the strong majority of residents who are against this zoning
change.
We already have “connectivity” and “compatible neighborhood integration” via the current JGV
PUD, our POV is the petitioner and DOCS personnel using this as a valid reason for a 160
students day care and 60 parking spaces is utterly ridiculous.
We do not need more commercial space in JGV and it is not considered an amenity or a
“missing piece” (as stated by the petitioner) for the strong majority of JG residents, and we ask
you to NOT approve this proposed zoning change.
Thank You,
Gus Navarra
JG resident