HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #20 Ken BarthelKenneth R. Barthel
11570 Sutton Place Drive E, Carmel Indiana, 46032 ● 317.989.5430 ● KenB170@gmail.com
Housing Task Force 26 June 2024
Carmel Indiana
Hello all,
I am a homeowner in the Huntington Chase subdivision located at 116th Street and Towne Road. I purchased my
home in 2015 specifically in and for the West Carmel location, low-density single-family homes, less congestion, and
green space. This after exploring many areas of metro Indianapolis and Hamilton County.
I am not in support of changing single-family lot zoning in any way that would reduce setbacks, height restrictions,
promote “zero” lot line developments, or building multi-family type units (townhomes, duplexes, “build-to-rent”
etc.) that would increase density in this area of Carmel. While those developments may have a place in an urban
section of our city, West Carmel being the suburban/estate area is not that place.
Additionally, I have two specific concerns about this Task Force;
q Composition – having only one Carmel resident on the Task Force while the remainder are developers, city
officials, and other industry/organization participants is not at all representative of city residents.
q Early morning meetings is honestly not an acceptable time of day to meet if you truly encourage
community engagement and input.
As a homeowner, I appreciate efforts to continuously improve our city. However, this must be done in a manner
that is deemed reasonable and responsible. That means a reasonable balance between proposed urbanization
while maintaining the integrity of our existing neighborhoods and the suburban parts of our city. Urban living areas
need to remain in the urban sections and suburban/estate sections need to remain as such. If we are to be a city for
all to live, transforming the suburban/estate area(s) by increasing density, which devalues existing suburban
neighborhoods, does not make Carmel a city for all.
Regards,
_______________________
Copy to:
City Council
Adam Aasen, Dr. Anita Joshi, Jeff Worrell, Matt Snyder, Rich Taylor, Ryan Locke, Shannon Minnaar, Teresa
Ayers, Tony Green
Mayor’s Office
Mayor Sue Finkam