HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 08-19-08
CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
August 19, 2008
31. Docket No. 07010008 Z: 1161h & Guilford Rezone
The applicant seeks to rezone approximately 95 acres from I-lIIndustrial to R-
I/Residence. The site is located at 1441 S. Guilford Rd. Filed by the Carmel Dept. of
Community Services on behal I' of the Cannel Plan Commission.
There are no development plans associated with this petition, nor are any proposed. However, due to
recent and proposed development in the surrounding area, a change in zoning is proposed to assure the
Carmel Plan Commission and Carmel City Council have the greatest opportunity to review plans for the
property, should proposed redevelopment ever occur at this corner. Under an I-I IIndustrial Zoning
Classification, a wide range of industrial uses would be permitted by right. including warehousing,
storage and light manufacturing; currently residential is not a permitted use. Given the manner in which
the area has recently evolved, it is proposed to rezone this site to a more compatible zoning classification.
The proposed rezoning would not affect Duke Energy' s ability to maintain operations in the current
facility, nor would it prohibit other non-residential uses allowed in the I-l/lndustrial District /i'om
occupying the current facility. If the non-residcntialuse discontinues or the property is vacant for a
period longer than one (1) year, the premises shall thereafter conform to the provisions of the rezone.
Though this proposal would not prohibit the property owner from requesting rezoning to a Business
District or Planned Unit Development in the future, there is a unique opportunity to take a proactive
approach to this site.
This item was heard at the February 20, 2007 Plan Commission meeting. At that meeting the land
owner's attorney spoke in opposition stating concerns for his client's continued and future use of the
property as permitted by the industrial zoning dcsignation. Sincc then, the attorney for the property
owners had several discussions with staff.
At the April 1 Committee meeting. the attorney representing the property owners requested this item be
tabled one month to allow the property owners time to resolve some issues. The current property owners
of the site are willing to work with the City on the rezone, and they also have a possible purchaser of the
property. They have some concern with a rezone to a residential classification because it may impact the
value of the land, which is now zoned I-I/Industiral. However, a business or manufacturing zoning
classification rczonc would not be Ollt of the question. Also, the transformer/power station wIll remain on
the site.
At the May 12 Committee meeting, there was more dialog between the City, attorney representing the
property owners, and the committee. The city provided a handout of permitted uses they would like to see
at tbis site, and the attorney representing the property owners handed out a list of land uses that the
properly owners would like permitted. The City does not feel that retail uses should be permitted at this
site. The committee feels that school or residential uses should not bc permitted at this site, due to the
transformer location and the prior industrial use of the site.
The item was briefly heard at the May 20 Plan Commission meeting, but sent back to wmmiLLee for
further review. Since the May 20 meeting, DOCS is now open to the option of expanding and modifying
the existing Park Plaet: PUD (Planned Unit Development) ordinance Z-500-06 so that it includes the
subject property. The Park Place parcel is just north of tbe subject site. The current Park Placc PUD
ordinance can be found online at: hnp;//cocdocs.ci.cannel.in.us/weblinkJDocYiew.aspx?id=230964.
The Department provided information at the August subdivision committee meeting as to how it
plans to proceed with a new rezone and PUD amendment petition.