HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #51 John Babcock
Butler, Bric
From:John Babcock <jbhomeplan@yahoo.com>
Sent:Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:48 AM
To:Butler, Bric
Subject:Housing Task Force members - please read!
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Carmel Housing Task Force Members,
I was quite disappointed in a statement at the most recent Housing Task Force workshop, that this task
force is producing an outline for the next task force?
The mayor indicated she wanted to protect existing Carmel neighborhoods. That was part of her election
platform. If the city will actually adhere to the the current UDO, people will still be able to build and
renovate and the city can upgrade drainage, sidewalks and street lights.
I very much appreciate the time spent by each of the members as well as Mr. Hollibaugh and Ms. Keeling.
However, a bullet point list to "pass along" with no actionable items after all the time and effort spent by
everyone is not acceptable. The obvious market conditions have been beat over the head. We need a
creative plan and this multi page list is underwhelming.
Carmel is landlocked. We need creativity to create attainable single family residential dwellings or we
will stagnate as a community. After eight months of meetings and guest speakers, these efforts should
have produced a ten to twelve point action plan. Here are a few ideas that might spark some creativity;
1)the redevelopment commission should identify potential building sites for attainable housing
throughout Carmel. As well as opportunities for possible office building conversion to residential.
2) the city should sponsor a design competition for small local builders and designers on attainable
home designs.
3) builders that initiate an internship program with Carmel (Hamilton county?) schools on construction
estimating and construction scheduling can submit proposals to build one of these attainable homes in
90 days ( current national average for a 2000 sq ft home is 10.8 months - used to be 90 to 120 days)
4) no TIF, we need to get off the public private partnership train. Real market.
5) develop an outline for individuals to follow that will help organize debt and establish savings to obtain
financial freedom and a path to obtain their own home.
6) just because the current housing market is interested in reduced maintenance, does not mean that
they want rental apartments or houses. Only the 55+ market seems to offer that product line.
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7) workforce development and training ( See #3) The construction workforce is approx 750,000 people
short. Trades are aging out and not being replaced. This effort can be accomplished. Most of this starts
at the builder and supplier level.
These are a few ideas that I have gleaned from the past eight months. I hope this committee can get
creative in the final report that lands on the mayor's desk. Unfortunately to date I don't see her actually
doing anything other than having more meetings. This is a national crisis. Carmel has been presented
with an opportunity to once again be a model community but is not seizing the challenge.
Regards,
John Babcock
Jbhomeplan@yahoo.com
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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