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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-0919; CWIC2, Part 3To: CCC Plan Special Committee From: CWIC2 Date: September 19, 2008 Re: Part 3 Parks & Recreation, Page 29, Development Features: Add, “including passive enjoyment of nature” to the last one, “Promote recreation.” East Carmel has 10 parks & river greenway. Central has 5 & Monon Greenway. West has 1 City park & 1 County park. Why aren’t we identifying where the next park should go before there is no land left? Carmel West has a strong sense of community and character, which is a draw for many people. Most people invested in their homes in Carmel West specifically because the zoning promised the area would be low-density residential and that commercial uses would not intrude. They opted out of “urban” life. Many couldn’t afford to buy and build on acreage, but want space between our neighbors, no commercial intrusions, plenty of greenspace and no “walls” of close- together houses when we’re out and about. Estate Residential, Page 30 1. Appropriate Adjacent Classifications: How compatible is Suburban Residential, 4.9 u/a with a 1.0 u/a? Would you want a 5 times as dense neighborhood behind your house? In Carmel West, people chose a low-density residential area, not just a low- density subdivision. Remove this. 2. Conditional Fit: “Attached Residential” has a density of 7.0 u/a and is too much a difference from 1.0 u/a. Remove this. Low Intensity Suburban Residential, Page 31: 1. Purpose: Amend to read, “Establish and protect housing opportunities for people who desire low density or subdivision living. 2. Appropriate Adjacent Classifications: Delete Suburban Residential, Neighborhood Service Node, and Community Vitality Node. A change in density next door from a 1.2 to 4.9 is way too extreme for people in West Carmel who want to live in a low- density residential area. And again, West Carmel residents chose to live away from typical urban features provided by even a “Neighborhood Service Node,” let alone a “Community Vitality Node” that could have 80,000 sq. ft. of retail! 3. Development Features: Define “designed open space.” Is it usable? Suburban Residential, Page 32. NOTE: In 2006, Plan Commissioners voted 6 to 1 to divide this classification further. That should be reflected in this draft. 1. Purpose: Amend to read, “To establish housing opportunities for people who desire to have less yard & to enjoy closer proximity to their neighbors. 2. Geographic location: Strike “West.” This doesn’t exist outside of the Village of WestClay and Stanford Park, which were approved as “exceptions. They certainly are a very small piece of the area. It is not typical. 3. Intensity/Density: Add the phrase “where there is good connectivity” to the end. Reduce the top number to at least 3.9. Urban residential starts at 4.0, so nothing is served by the overlap. At 3.9, equal sized lots would be approximately 1/5 of an acre. That is “urban”, not “suburban,” particularly in Carmel West. Neighborhood Support Center, Page 35 1. This needs to be written so as to exclude new locations in Carmel West. 2. 1 mile apart in Carmel West is far more than the area desires—and permitting these on every non-subdivision intersection in a low-density area makes their viability highly questionable. These adversely affect the character and desirability of Carmel West. Neighborhood Service Node, Page 36 1. This needs to be written so as to exclude new locations in Carmel West. These are incredibly too urban for the character of the area (80,000 sq. ft.! and 6 u/a). These destroy the very reason most people invested in their homes in Carmel West. 2. Appropriate Adjacent Classifications: Strike “Suburban Residential.” Strike Low Intensity Suburban Residential from “Conditional Fit.” People greatly fear that the areas identified as Suburban Residential on the maps will be used to insert these in Carmel West. Land Classification Map, page 45 1. Suburban Residential is inappropriate in Carmel West in 5 locations. Details will be provided when everyone can look at the map. 2. Low Intensity Suburban Residential would significantly change the character of Carmel West and adversely impact its desirability for current and future residents. Additional documentation will be provided at the hearing. 3. Community Vitality Node in Village of WestClay. Reclassify it to “Neighborhood Service Node,” which seems written to fit this parcel. This commercial area already is a red-hot button issue with many, many area residents and this classification really riles area residents. This classification permits it to become like the commercial area on Michigan Road (West Carmel Center) or Merchants’ Square (see examples cited). Do you really want large numbers of semi-sized delivery trucks on the surrounding roads? This is a huge increase in intensity of use and it invites Brenwick to submit new plans.