HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #39 Rick Ryherd Rick Ryherd
10874 Belmont Circle
Carmel, IN 46280
November 20th, 2025
Joe Shestak, Planner II City of Carmel
Dept. of Community Services Div. of
Planning & Zoning
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Ref: Docket No. PZ-2024-00180
To whom it may concern:
I have known Mike and Christy Smith and their children for over 10 years, or since they moved
into the neighborhood. They have been great neighbors and friends. The Smith’s keep their
property immaculate. Mike, an excellent carpenter, has personally performed several remodeling
projects in their home which helps increase the property values of all Lexington Farms
homeowners. The number one and two criteria for property values are location and home
improvements.
The Smiths have every God given American right living in a free society to do want they want
with their property. If part of that plan is for an Airbnb they have that right while living in a free
country. The Smiths are never going to let anything happen to their home that will cause
depreciation in their property value, inconveniences, disruptions, or disturbances to the
neighborhood, or even rent the property a week to month at a time without personally vetting
potential occupants.
Christy has a real estate background with property management experience. She will run this
opportunity like a business in a professional manner. Mike will ensure their property always
meets the highest standards as has been shown by all the improvements the Smiths have made to
their home. I did not know there were other Airbnb rentals in our neighborhood until this ordeal
was brought to my attention. My guess is 75% of the neighborhood has no clue either. That is
indicative of the type of neighborhood Lexington Farms is. Most of us do the best we can to keep
our properties in the best condition we can afford.
I want to discuss my neighbor that lives directly across the street from me. Her name really does
not need to be mentioned (Kathy Latimer). She is a disrupter of the neighborhood and user of
people including myself. She will ask people to do favors for her but is always the first to turn a
neighbor in for a violation. She is a “do as I say not as I do” woman, and not a very nice person
in my humble opinion. The Smiths have done favors for her, I have done favors for her, my old
neighbor Jessie Faust did several favors for her; and she came out against all of us. She made
complaints against two neighbors for exterior improvements to their home. She will make a
complaint if you paint your mailbox box.
I hope the City of Carmel Department of Community Services, Division of Planning and zoning
grants this to Mike and Christy Smith. It will not affect the neighborhood no matter what some
bad apples may say. Thank you for reading.
Rick Ryherd
Lexington Farms Resident since 2005