HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #006 Melissa Smith
Butler, Bric
From:Melissa Smith <mommelissamoo@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, October 30, 2024 9:05 AM
To:Butler, Bric; Green, Anthony; Joshi, Anita; Locke, Ryan A; Minnaar, Shannon; Ayers,
Teresa; Aasen, Adam P; Worrell, Jeff; Snyder, Matt; Taylor, Rich
Subject:Re: Stout Property PUD - Denial Requested
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Dear Planning Commission & City Council Members:
I am writing to request you deny the proposed development on the Stout Property at 126th St. and Towne
Road. As a property owner located nearby and parent of students in Carmel Clay Schools, I am
concerned the development proposal poses safety risks for our area and exceeds the recommended
density for the current zoning of S1 and the Comprehensive Plan recommendation for West Carmel. The
density of the proposed development is very out of character with the surrounding
neighborhoods. Comprehensive zoning and city planning are a key differentiator for West Carmel and
why people choose to live in our area over others. Approving a plan that exceeds the Comprehensive
Plan recommendation would undermine the value of the Comprehensive Plan and would not make any
sense.
The increased density will undoubtedly increase traffic in an area that retirees, neighborhood residents
and pets, and school children walk around on a daily basis. The Village of West Clay surrounds the area,
and a large number of children walk and ride their bike to Creekside Middle and the elementary
schools. 126th Street at Towne Road is the main artery that Village of West Clay students use to walk
and ride their bikes to the Creekside campus. The road frontage of the proposed development also
directly connects Hamilton County's Coxhall Gardens and the Village of West Clay, and as such is the
site of a lot of pedestrian and cyclist activity as our area neighbors frequently visit this marquee park and
garden area. To increase by a substantial number the cars on the Towne Road, specifically ingressing
and egressing from 126th Street, poses a severe safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists in the area.
Any development approved for this area should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, the
surrounding neighborhoods' density and amenities (so as not to cause an undue "freerider" burden on
surrounding neighborhoods' amenities), and should have very specific features around pedestrian and
cyclist safety and a plan to minimize the increased risk of traffic accidents. Also, I have not reviewed the
potential environmental impacts of the lot coverage ratios or water runoff impacts but I presume the City
will do so as part of its review process. (Presumably, the Comprehensive Plan took these issues into
account when setting out our beautiful and safe city of Carmel's standards for development.)
I respectfully request that you deny this proposed development PUD as currently planned.
1
Thank you.
Melissa Smith
2