HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 10-16-07
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CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT REPORT
OCTOBER 16,2007
1. Docket No. 07080028 OA: Carmel Dr-Range Line Road Overlay Sunset Amendment
The applicant seeks to Amend the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 23F: Carmel Drive-Range Line Road
Overlay Zone in order to extend the sunset clause. Filed by the Carmel Department of Community
Services.
When the Carmel Drive - Range Line Road Overlay Zone was adopted in January of 2005, a sunset
provision of December 31,2007 was also enacted to allow time for a Central Business District Plan to be
completed. With review and update of the Comprehensivl:: Plan still under way, it will not be possible to
complete a Central Business District Plan by the end of the year. The Department is pleased with the
results of the Overlay Zone thus far, and believes this is also true of both the public and business
community. Therefore, we propose to extend the sunset provision by one year, to December 31, 2008. A
draft ordinance is enclosed.
The intent of the sunset provision was to allow time to prepare and establish a central business district
plan. Although a proper plan has yet to be achieved, we believe the Overlay Zone is serving its purpose
well in the mean time; that is to ;::;;,;,,~!,~p. t1>,:" i;""h,lity of Carmel by encouraging a i'ange of activities in
mixed-use buildings, and establishing a pedestrian orienlc,~ envirorullent i.n buildings and a streets cape
which are attractive and safely designed. By granting the extensfar: Df the sunset provision, it wil1 allow'
staff and local officials to continue to use the standards in the Overlay as a valuable tool to achieve the
highest quality of development.
A few projects have been constructed in the corridor either under the regulation or influence ofthe
Overlay. The best example is the transformation of the corner of Carmel Drive and Range Line Road.
With its conversion from a single use structure to a multi-story, multi-tenant building, the project provides
for a variety of retail and services and is situated on the site in a way that activates street life at the corner.
Other examples, though variances were granted, include KFC and the Companion Animal Hospital. Also
of note is the building currently under construction immediately east ofCily Hall, which will be home to
the Nightingale Home Health Care offices.
Please refer to the info packet for further detail.
The Department of Community Services recommends the Committee forward this item to the
October 16 Plan Commission meeting with a positive recommendation after all comments and
concerns are fully addressed.