HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #01 Brandon & Tatiana Lust
Butler, Bric
From:Brandon & Tatiana Lust <betlust@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, February 6, 2025 12:22 PM
To:Butler, Bric
Subject:Gramercy East Redevelopment Feedback
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
Hello Mr. Butler,
My wife and I live in Gramercy West and moved to Carmel in early 2021. We love that Carmel prioritizes
livability through multi-modal infrastructure and people-focused design, rather than defaulting to car-
centric sprawl. As many urban planners point out, “People don’t hate cities; they hate dealing with cars
in cities.”
Regarding the Gramercy East proposal, we strongly encourage Buckingham to add more “missing
middle” housing—particularly townhomes along Kinzer Avenue—rather than single-use apartment
buildings. Mayor Finkham’s housing task force findings highlight the importance of discouraging single-
use apartment complexes and, instead, supporting diverse housing options. Townhomes help fulfill that
need while establishing a sense of local character and providing an affordable path to homeownership.
At the same time, we’d love to see a truly mixed-use environment with ground-floor commercial spaces
for coffee shops, bakeries, small grocery stores, and similar amenities. Historically, this walkable,
everyday convenience was common before sprawling, car-oriented infrastructure caused so many cities
to lose their vibrant, human-scale livability. Having essential services within walking distance is key to
reducing traffic, cutting back on car dependence, and creating a healthier, more connected community.
Finally, as strong advocates for safe, multi-modal transit, we urge the inclusion of fully separated bike
paths—not just painted lines on the street—and continuous sidewalks with narrower vehicle entrances.
Raised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists can further calm traffic. Well-integrated green spaces are a
must to enhance neighborhood life and preserve Carmel’s forward-thinking appeal.
If these design principles are followed, we offer our full support. Thank you for your time, and for helping
Carmel continue its legacy of thoughtful, people-centered development.
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Kind regards,
Brandon & Tatiana Lust
Gramercy West
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