HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #012 Monica Olmeda
Butler, Bric
From:Monica Olmeda <moniolmeda29@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, November 1, 2024 7:51 PM
To:Butler, Bric
Subject:Request to Deny PZ-2024-00173 PUD- "Clay Cottages PUD"
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Dear Planning Commission & City Council Members:
I am writing to request you deny the PZ-2024-00173 PUD zoning request for the
development on the Stout Property at 126th St. and Towne Road described as the “Clay
Cottages PUD”. As property owners located nearby and parents of students in Carmel
Clay Schools, we are 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. This developer is
advantageously calculating density of the project utilizing the 5 "Estate homes” planned
within the property to falsely communicate that there’s equivalent density to
neighboring areas specifically to that in the Village of West Clay.
Approving a plan that exceeds the Comprehensive Plan recommendation would
undermine the value of the Comprehensive plan and would not make sense.
East to the Village of WestClay is Clay Corner, an existing neighborhood half the size to
the proposed development by Taylor Morrison for the Stout Farm. It was developed in
2017 with a total of 76 lots on 34.5 acres. Then Councilor, now President Tony Green voted
against it. It has only 2 amenities listed, a trail connecting to the Village of WestClay and a
small park/green area in the middle. The request for the “Clay Cottages PUD” rezoning, if
approved, will allow twice as many homes in an area that is only 3 additional acres more
than Clay Corner with an even smaller number of amenities 1 park/green space, as a
retaining pond should not be considered as an amenity.
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The increased density will undoubtedly increase traffic in an area that retirees,
neighborhood residents with pets, and school children walk around daily. The Village of
WestClay surrounds the area, and many children walk and ride their bike to Creekside
Middle school, West Clay and College Wood elementary schools. 126th Street and Towne
Road is the main artery that Village of WestClay 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 WestClay and as such is
the site of a lot of pedestrian and cyclist activity.
I am a cyclist who frequently uses Towne Rd both to the North and South as main arteries
for my cycling routes. I continue to express on-going safety concerns with the increased
traffic and how many cars drive very carelessly through this area. Not to mention the
accident that occurred not too long ago, in the roundabout of Towne Road and Main St
that resulted in the death of a cyclist. To increase by a substantial number of cars, up to
284 assuming 2 cars per household, that would be entering and egressing to Towne Road
in the Roundabout located at 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
"free-rider" 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.
We can tell you from living in the Northlake side of the Village of WestClay, Clay Corner
owners fully “free ride” and use the amenities the Village of WestClay has, as we are
witnesses to that. As owners within the Village of WestClay, we pay our HOA dues, to
ensure our community and safety are preserved and our neighborhood amenities
maintained. Having a community twice the size to that of Clay Corner will directly impact
our neighborhood and we will continue to experience “free riding” to our amenities. The
future owners of the proposed development will not have one single responsibility to
maintain and respect our neighborhood.
I civilly request that you deny this proposed development PZ-2024-00173 PUD as
currently planned.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Respectfully,
Monica Olmeda & Ricardo Reyes-Trevino
1727 Blythe St. Carmel, IN
46032
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