HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #05 Dee Fox
Butler, Bric
From:Dee Fox <dasfox2009@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, October 1, 2024 3:55 PM
To:Butler, Bric
Cc:Dee Fox
Subject:For Oct. 1, 2024 Plan Commission Committee meeting, RE Meridian Trails proposal
for Commitment Amend & 2 Variances.
Hi Bric,
Please forward my email below to all of the Plan Commissioners for tonight's Oct.1 Committee meeting.
Thanks!
Dee Fox
To Plan Commissioners,
Since Jill Meisenheimer submitted a letter covering specific questions regarding the lack of details
provided about this proposed development, I would just like to send a few of my thoughts.
* Overall Proposed Project Request:
~ This Meridian Trails development proposal is a huge change and intensification (in Use, density,
building square footage, traffic, noise, light) to the original 2018 rezone's huge changes that were
approved to enable a relatively small office building in this zoned S-2/Residential area. In 2018, the
neighbors worked hard to establish Commitments to make that office Use palatable, and now face an
even more intense proposed Use (169 senior apartments with commercial space) that seeks changes to
those 2018 Commitments in order to allow it.
~ This is where public frustration comes from. Especially in West Carmel, homeowners can no longer
trust what they're told, or have any certainty about what could be put next to them. There appears to be
no limit on how much the original zoning limits can be exceeded. With routine rezones, PUDs,
"conceptual" development plans, and development changes available via waivers, variances, and even
amendments to "Commitments", the public's only recourse is to object to a problematic/incompatible
development proposal and hope that someone addresses the issues and is willing to require changes.
* The Meridian Trails proposal could be a good development on a larger property, in a more urban
setting. However, this 5.75 acre site appears too small for 169 units and well over 200 parking spaces,
leaving very minimal usable greenspace for the residents. This site is rather isolated, surrounded by low-
density residential homes, and businesses that most residents would not routinely frequent. The onsite
Commercial space is intended for wellness-related businesses, rather than businesses that the
residents would routinely need and use for daily living. With no public transportation, cars will be a
necessity.
* Parking:
~ I disagree that age 55+ active adults "will predominantly have 1 car per household". Plus there will be
parking needs for residents' visitors, employees, and the public using the commercial businesses. It
would be nice to need less parking lot (which appears to be the main view from the balconies), so the
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required number of 340 parking spaces could maybe be reduced somewhat. But I think the Variance
request for a 32% decrease down to 232 spaces (loss of 108 spaces) is too much. There is no other
nearby place to park.
~ I think it would make sense for the garage parking spaces, protected and out of the weather, to be
reserved for the residents.
* 2018 Commitments:
~ Please consider adjusting "Hours of Operation" limits to apply to the Commercial component of this
development, to prevent very early and very late commercial activity. Also, it might be desirable to
prohibit specific uses there, just in case.
Thank you for considering my comments, and I apologize that this is arriving so close to tonight's
meeting.
Dee Fox
West Carmel
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