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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes SpecStdy 03-02-99 u SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEE MARCH 2, 1999 The regularly scheduled committee meeting was called to order by Rick Sharp at approximately 7:00 PM in the Caucus Rooms of City Hall, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana. Committee members present were: Madeline Fitzgerald; Bob Modisett; Jim O'Neal; Pat Rice; Rick Sharp; and Paul Spranger. Michael Hollibaugh and Terry Jones were present representing the Department of Community Services. Pat Rice referred to the minutes of the Special Study Committee, Special Session of February 9, 1999 relative to the Thoroughfare Plan. The minutes had apparently not been distributed to members of the Committee. to"'" It was the consensus of the Committee that all comments made in the February 9th meeting had not been accurately reflected and a review of the tape was requested for accuracy. - f~ ~ u Pat Rice took exception to the inclusion ofLes Locke's letter of November, 1998 to Paul Spranger as a part of the minutes of the special session on the Thoroughfare Plan in February. At some points, the City rights-of-way dovetail with the County, other places it does not. Rick Sharp's recollection was that the Committee was comfortable with the right-of-way recommendations made by the Department. Mike Hollibaugh commented that the County's Thoroughfare Plan does differ in certain areas, and in those areas, the more restrictive would apply. An example would be the primary arterial--Carmel's is more restrictive along 146th Street. Item 1. Committee to consider Docket No. 84-98 CPA, proposed ordinance amendments to the Carmel/Clay Comprehensive Plan, specifically Chapter 6, the Thoroughfare Plan. Filed by the Plan Commission. Michael Hollibaugh distributed maps that incorporated changes in the Thoroughfare Plan at 5 years, 20 years, and an alternate map. The Committee confirmed that the Main Street Boulevard theme should proceed to River Road from Guilford. u It was Paul Spranger's understanding that Springmill Road to Guilford would be a parkway; Rick Sharp thought the parkway would only extend from Springmill to Old Meridian. s:committees\spst1999mar Paul Spranger commented that 1 16th Street shows as both a primary parkway and a secondary parkway. OK-which is it, 140 feet of right-of-way or 150 feet of right-of- U way? If 131 st Street is developed and some of the other intersection improvements made, 116th Street does not need to be a full-blown, primary parkway. Rick Sharp reported that the County had presented their proposed improvement plan for the intersection of 116th and Towne Road; at that intersection on the east/west at 1 16th, about 220 meters either side, east and west of Towne Road, the roadway bill balloon to approximately 5 lanes and that involves two through lanes and turning lanes. Also, for approximately 200 meters north/south on Towne Road, there will be four lanes and a signalized intersection. The thought process from the County's standpoint was based on their current traffic and a live traffic count, and factoring in a growth rate based on historical trends. The County did not really discuss what the improvements would be for the roadways--116th rather than Towne Road is the pressure point. Rick Sharp informed the Committee that the County Commissioners are holding meetings at the Township Government Center, next one being the 18th of March, to discuss 116th Street and Springmill Road. ;, Again, the consensus of the Committee is not to design the roads but to reserve right-of- way for future roads and roadway expansion. tem2. TABLED o Item 3. Committee to reconsider Docket No. 76-97 ADLS Amend., an amended Architectural Design, Landscaping, Lighting, and Signage application for the C&C Realty Company. Petitioner seeks approval to change the approved sign criteria for the Carlson Office Complex. The site is located on the west side of U.S. 421, one-quarter mile north of 96th Street. The site is zoned I-l/Industrial and is located within the U.S. 421 Overlay Zone. Filed by Reed Carlson ofC&C Realty Company. Reed Carlson appeared before the Committee requesting a change in sign criteria from white "can face" to the tenant's discretion and still be within the guidelines of the City's Sign Ordinance. Mike Hollibaugh reported that at present, the Enterprise sign is the only one in violation. Jim O'Neal moved for the approval of the Enterprise Sign solely, and leave the sign criteria as it stands. APPROVED 6-0. Item 4. Committee to consider Docket No. 12-99 ADLS Amend., an amended Architectural Design, Landscaping, Lighting, and Signage application for Barnes Investments. Petitioner seeks approval to allow multi-colored tenant signage for the D~~ Marsh Plaza. The site is located at the northeast comer of Carmel Drive and AAA Way. The site is zoned B-8/Business. s: cornrnittees\spst 1999rnar 2 Filed by Bob Jolley of Signman. u Bob Jolley of Signman and Brad Barnes of Marsh Plaza appeared before the Committee requesting multi-colored tenant signage. The issue at the Plan Commission was the palette of colors. However, Mr. Barnes stated that there are no restrictions on color based on other centers he has looked at. . Paul Spranger stated his position on the color "red" and the level of illumination of signage. There was discussion regarding other centers in the immediate area and the level of illumination in the Osco Center, Merchants Square, and the Marsh Plaza and the requirements under the applicable zoning. Brad Barnes stated that he would match the standard palette of colors approved for Merchants Square. The petitioner will return to the Committee in April with a sign package; in the interim, the petitioner is allowed to display a temporary banner. .- Paul Spranger noted that the awnings on the new Blockbuster Video location do not match the commitment that was made by the petitioner. The Department agreed to look into and follow up. u Item 5. Committee to consider Docket No. 98-98 DP/ADLS, Development Plan and Architectural Design, Landscaping, Lighting, and Signage applications for Landmark Properties. The petitioner seeks approval to construct an 18,500 square foot office complex on 2 acres known as the Old Meridian Medical Center. The site is located at the southeast comer of Carmel Drive and Old Meridian (Lot 1 of Block 17, Carmel Science and Technology Park). The site is zoned M-3/Manufacturing. Filed by Brian Pahud of Landmark Properties. Brian Pahud of Landmark, Murray Clark, attorney, and Ron Foster, listing agent, appeared before the Committee on behalf of the petitioner. Mr. Pahud addressed the issue of back-loading the site in accordance with the Old Meridian Task Force plans as opposed to front-loading. The problem with back-loading the site is the issue of economics; back-loading requires more square footage. At least 25% of the gross, leaseable area within the project would be lost if the site were back-loaded. The building area would reduce to 14,000 from 18,530 square feet. The parking spaces required reduce to 56 from 74, and parking spaces provided reduces to 81 from 84. The petitioner is committed to saving as many trees as possible on site; In order to provide the drainage and grading of the site, it is doubtful that any trees could exist. In marketing the site, the type of architecture lends itself to individual entries and the tenants are prepared to pay for visibility. u Ron Foster; commercial real estate broker in the Indianapolis/Carmel area stated that in his experience and exposure to the area, there are economic issues that would prohibit back-loading of the site; tenants would also be seeking maximum visibility. The original plan allows for much better ingress/egress to the site. The back-load off Carmel Drive s:comrnittees\spst 1999mar 3 creates an environment that is risky from an accident standpoint. If the Old Meridian corridor is developed with back-loading as a requirement on 2,3, or 4 acre parcels, there are severe economic penalties connected with that requirement. Bob Modisett stated he had never been "on board" with the concept of front-loading along Old Meridian. Front-loading would have an impact on retail tenants and some other types of office tenants. Mr. Modisett did express favor with the petitioner's originally proposed site plan. Mr. Modisett felt that what the petitioner is offering will ultimately conform to the look the Task Force is trying to achieve along Old Meridian. u Madeline Fitzgerald suggested wrought iron and brick columns along the Old Meridian side--not along Carmel Drive, but only on the Old Meridian Street side. Mr. Pahud stated a willingness to comply. Paul Spranger moved to approve Docket No. 98-98, with the commitments made by the petitioner this evening. APPROVED 7-0. .:0 Item 6. Committee to consider Docket No. 4-99 DP Amend/ADLS, amended Development Plan and Architectural Design, Landscaping, Lighting, and Signage applications for Schahet Hotels. The petitioner seeks approval to construct a 62,000 square foot hotel building on 2 acres within the Hamilton Crossing East Complex. The site is located 0 the east side of U.S. 31, south of 126th Street. The site is zoned B- 3/Buisiness and is located within the U.S. 31 Overlay Zone. (The petitioner will also be appearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Special Use approval and for consideration of 3 Development Standards Variances.) Filed by Steve Granner of Bose McKinney and Evans. :' o Phil Nicely appeared before the Committee on behalf of the applicant. The color of the signs was in question; Hampton Inn has agreed to white and bronze rather than red. Paul Spranger moved for approval of Docket No. 4-99 DP, subject to all technical concerns being met. APPROVED 7-0. Steve Engelking announced that a formal Training Session will be held at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 11355 No. Meridian Street, Saturday, April 17th from 8:00 AM to approximately 1 :00 PM. It was thought that a training session off-site would improve attendance of Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and City-Council members. The Township Trustee and Board are also invited as well as the media. The session will include a light breakfast and bus tourlbox lunch. There being no further business to come before the Committee, t adjo ed at 9:10 PM. D s: committees\spst 1 999mar 4