HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 08-21-07 CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT REPORT
August 21, 2007
1. Docket No. 07050023 OA: Monon Trail Overlay Zone
The applicant seeks to adopt Chapter 23H: Monon Trail Overlay Zone into the
Carmel Zoning Ordinance. Filed by the Carmel Department of Community Services.
Please see the informational packet for more detail on the ordinance amendment.
Proposed is a new chapter of the Zoning Ordinance establishing development standards along the Monon
Greenway. This proposal is in response to the many recent developments, either proposed or under
construction, along the Monon. The Department has received many concerns from citizens, City Council,
and Plan Commission members about establishing standards along the Trail.
Included within the proposed chapter are standards for use, building height, setback, landscaping and
architectural design. In an effort to recognize and allow for varying character along the Monon, two
different areas of the Greenway are proposed with differing development standards.
The Urban Section has been identified as the approximately one -mile area between Old Town and Carmel
Drive. In addition to a widening of the Trail to accommodate more users, it is envisioned that future
buildings address the trail rather than turning their backs. The Natural Section is everything north and
south of the Urban Section, where the building setbacks and buffering requirements are larger.
Please note that this is item is a text amendment only. For this to be implemented and enforced, a map
amendment (rezoning) will be required to establish the exact boundaries of the Overlay Zone.
At the Aug. 7 Subdivision Committee meeting, discussion of the overlay and text changes were had. It
was agreed that the committee would briefly meet on Aug. 21 to `touch base' on additional changes to be
made and then meet again at the Sept. 4 Subdivision Committee meeting.
The Department of Community Services recommends that the Special Studies Committee forward
this ordinance amendment to the Sept. 4 after all comments and concerns have been addressed.