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CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
September 18, 2007
10H. 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 Depmtment of Community Services.
When the Carmel Drive - Range Line Road Overlay Zone was adopted in January of 2005, a sunset
provision of December 31,2006 was also enacted to allow time for a Central Business District Plan to be
completed. With review and update of the Comprehensive Plan still under way, it will not be possible to
complete a Central Business District Plan by the end of the year. The DepaItment 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 31,2007. 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 ti me; th,lI is to enhance the livability of Cannel by encouraging a range of activities in
mixed-Lise buildings, and establishing a pedestrian oriented environment in buildings and a streetscape
which are attractive and safely designed. By granting the extension of the sunset provision, it will 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 of the
Overlay. The best example is the transformation of the corner of Carmel Drive and Range Line Road.
With its conversion from a single LIse 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 of City Hall, which will be home to
the Nightingale Home Health Care offices
Please refer to the info packet for further detai I.
The Department of Community Services recommends the Plan Commission forward this item to
the October 2 Special Studies Committee meeting for further review. Or, if comfortable, vote to
suspend the rules and vote on this item tonight, and forward this item to the City Council with a
positi ve recommendation.