HomeMy WebLinkAboutFindings of Fact_Building HeightEXHIBIT “F”
DRAFT FINDINGS OF FACT
CARMEL ADVISORY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
HEARING OFFICER CARMEL, INDIANA
Docket No.: ____________________
Applicant: Jeff and Shari M. Worrell (collectively, the “Worrells”)
Property: 235 1st Avenue NW, Carmel, IN 46032
Variances: UDO Section 3.64 (C) (11) (c) – Building Heights shall not exceed the height of the tallest
dimension of the nearest two (2) Character Buildings in the same block, or across the street by seven (7) feet:
Height Permitted based on nearby Character Building heights: 31’ would be permitted; requesting 35’ 2 ½”.
FINDINGS OF FACT - DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS VARIANCE
1. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general
welfare of the community because:
The requested variance seeking an increase in the permitted building/home height is necessary in order
to construct a new custom residential home on the Real Estate and approval of the variances will not be
injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community. The proposed height
of the home will be generally compatible with other homes in the vicinity and due a drop in grade of the
lot from east to west, the proposed finished floor height home height is as low as possible while still
maintaining proper grading and drainage for the lot.
2. The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a
substantially adverse manner because:
The construction of the new custom residential home on the Real Estate will be consistent and
compatible with the other existing homes that surround and are in the vicinity of the Real Estate and the
new custom home should have a positive impact on the use and value of the homes and area surrounding
the Real Estate. Further, the proposed height of the home will be generally compatible with other homes
in the vicinity and due to a drop in grade of the lot from east to west, the proposed finished floor height
of the home is as low as possible while still maintaining proper grading and drainage for the lot.
3. The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will result in practical
difficulties in the use of the property because:
The subject Real Estate has a drop in grade of approximately 3’ from east to west and the proposed
finished floor height of the home is as low as possible while still maintaining proper grading and
drainage for the lot. The design of the Worrell’s custom home is generally consistent and compatible
with other homes in the general vicinity of the Real Estate and the proposed height of the home is not
out of character for the other homes in the vicinity. The proposed home height does comply with UDO
Section 3.64 (C) (11) (b), as the proposed building height is 24’ 7 ¾” as measured to the midpoint of the
fascia and ridge and the maximum building height would allow for a 30’ building height. However, the
UDO standard in Section 3.64 (C) (11) (c) requires that building heights shall not exceed the height of
the tallest dimension of the nearest two (2) Character Buildings in the same block, or across the street by
seven (7) feet. Based on the approximate heights of the nearby Character Building heights, a height of
31’ would be permitted for the Worrell’s home and they are seeking an increase of this height to 35’ 2
½”. If the subject UDO height standards were strictly applied to the Worrell’s home, the practical
difficulty that is presented is that they may have to lower the grading of the lot to accommodate a lower
finished floor height and building height, which could cause negative drainage impacts on the Real
Estate. Allowing the building height variance will accommodate proper site drainage and the proposed
height will not be out of character or inconsistent with other homes in the general vicinity.
DECISION
IT IS THEREFORE the decision of the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer that Development
Standards Variance Docket Nos.__________ ___ is granted, subject to any conditions stated in the minutes of
this meeting, which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
Adopted this 25th day of November, 2024
____________________________________________________
CHAIRPERSON, Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer Member
________________________________________
SECRETARY, Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals
Conditions of the Board are listed on the back. (Petitioner or his representative to sign).