HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 07-01-25
1
Carmel Plan Commission
COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Department Report
1. Docket No. PZ-2025-00101 OA: Group Home UDO Amendment
The applicant seeks to amend the UDO pursuant to City Council Resolution 02-03-25-07, which directs
the Plan Commission to consider amendments to UDO Sections 5.72, 9.08, and 11.02 in order to revise
the standards, approval process, and definitions related to Group Homes. Filed by the Department of
Community Services on behalf of the Carmel City Council.
*Updates to the report are written in blue.
Project Overview: Please view the information packet for the proposed ordinance amendment.
DOCS Analysis:
The Department of Community Services and Department of Law were involved in the Council’s Land Use
Committee discussions of the proposal to amend the development standards for Group Homes and related
approval process for Special Exceptions. Upon subsequent review, the Department of Community Services
identified a few minor updates to consider—specifically, revising references to 'written' applications and hard
copy submittals to align with current electronic submission practices. We will have those minor edits ready for
review by the Committee.
Revisions Proposed:
Please review the changes to lines 157, 163, 164, and 167 (highlighted in yellow), which remove references to
“written” applications and hard copy submittals. In addition, line 238 has been revised to clarify that the
proximity consideration applies only when the BZA is reviewing a Group Home, as the Basis of Review section
also applies to other Special Exceptions (such as Short-Term Rentals).
June 17th Public Hearing Recap:
Sergey Grechukhin summarized the proposed Ordinance and the Council’s discussions leading to this
amendment proposal. Key changes included requiring certification for homes housing persons with
developmental disabilities or psychiatric disorders, limiting group homes in certain districts to eight unrelated
persons, and moving special exception considerations from a hearing officer to the full Board of Zoning
Appeals. The amendment also added proximity to other group homes as a consideration for BZA. No members
of the public were present to speak at the public hearing. Adrienne Keeling from the Department of Community
Services noted the 60-day deadline for the Plan Commission to make their recommendation back to City
Council. The Plan Commission voted to send the ordinance to the PC Committee with the Committee to have
final voting authority.
Recommendation:
The Department of Community Services recommends the Committee send this item to the Carmel City
Council with a Favorable Recommendation.
Note that the Plan Commission's deadline to act upon this item is Saturday, August 16, so the Tuesday, August
5 Committee meeting will be the last opportunity to act before the deadline.