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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sub 04-01-084F CgR4 City of arme '•...I�ypkANA CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2008 LOCATION: CAUCUS ROOMS TIME: 6:00 P.M. CARMEL CITY HALL ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, IN 46032 DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 P.M. Representing the Committee Carol Schleif, Chairwoman Jay Dorman Dan Dutcher Steve Stromquist Representing the Department Angie Conn Lisa Stewart Of Counsel: John Molitor Carol Schleif, Chairwoman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A vote was taken to elect a Chairperson for the Committee. Jay Dorman nominated Carol Schleif, a vote of 3 -0 was taken in favor. The Subdivision Committee will meet to consider the following items: 1. Docket No. 07010008 Z: 116th Guilford Rezone The applicant seeks to rezone approximately 9.5 acres from I -1 /Industrial to R -1 /Residence. The site is located at 1441 S. Guilford Rd. Filed by the Carmel Dept. of Community Services. Bill Wendling, Attorney with Campbell, Kyle and Profitt presented. Mr. Wendling indicated he was not the petitioner, but rather, was coming in as their representative. He gave an overview of the current status of the sale of this property. Brighthouse had made a bid for the project, but the bid was withdrawn due to some possible ground contamination issues. However, IDEM has indicated that they believe this is not a major problem and the petitioner is waiting for a final report before moving further on in the sale. Page 1 of 5 ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571 -2417 April 1, 2008 Plan Commission Subdivision Committee Minutes Dan Dutcher asked Angie Conn what the Department's vision is for the land. Angie responded that the Department would like to see mixed use and not have any one type of usage stand out in this corridor. Carol Schleif discussed CDC regulations regarding contamination within certain distances of RI areas, where children may be at play. Their exposure needs to be limited. Carol is concerned about doing an R1. Bill Wendling indicated that the power station will remain on the property. He reviewed the uses of property surrounding the area. Steve Stromquist indicated that he had driven by the area today and could not see the power station and that it was quite hidden. Jay Dorman stated he does not see an R1 being planed for this area do to the large investment it would take. Bill stated that M and B zoning classifications are doable. Bill Wendling indicated that his client would like to see this item tabled for 1 month. In that time he will meet with Mike Hollibaugh and Angie Conn to discuss possible rezones. John Molitor asked if the current, potential buyer is the Brighthouse that is in the same area as the Fountains. Bill responded correct. John then pointed out that this move could help congestion in the Fountains area. Steve Stromquist made a motion to table this item for 30 days to give the petitioner time to confirm ongoing negotiations with Brighthouse. Jay Dorman seconded the motion. Approved 4 -0 2. Docket No. 08030002 CPA: Bicycle Routes Loops Systems Plan The applicant seeks to amend the Thoroughfare Plan section of the Carmel /Clay Comprehensive Plan, in order to propose and identify a system of Bicycle Routes and Loops on existing facilities. Filed by the Carmel Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission David Littlejohn presented for the Department. At the March Plan Commission meeting the Department introduced the final result of what the Plan Commission's Special Task Force of the Bike Routes and Loops had finalized. It consisted of 5 loops and 8 routes. There was a brief discussion at the meeting regarding what needed to happen for the routes and loops to open up. The Department would like to get a consensus that these are the routes and loops we want. It will then be forwarded on to the City Council for a Thoroughfare Amendment. David is happy to answer any questions you may have. He discussed the issues that were brought up by the Plan Commission regarding the routes. The Department is aware that there can be some hazardous or dangerous crossings that need to be addressed, and these will be addressed when we start to distribute the information. However, the Department feels the Page 2 of 5 ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571 -2417 April 1, 2008 Plan Commission Subdivision Committee Minutes suggestion to take the routes out of the plan, would not be an ideal resolution. There are other options to be used going forward, so we think the routes need to continue to be included. The routes are the connections of this plan and will allow people to commute from one side of the community to the other, or from the north side down. Without the routes it disconnects the whole system. Steve Stromquist asked who suggested taking the routes out. David responded that he was informed that someone at the Plan Commission had asked that we entertain the idea to just forward the loops at this time and do an amendment for the routes at a later time, however, this is not the direction that the Department wants to go. Dan Dutcher stated that the substance of the plan is fabulous; he felt the biggest concern of the Plan Commission is about the packaging of the program and how it will be presented to the community. The distinction of what is a loop, what is a route, what is designated by which degree of difficulty what is the method of distribution? How do we manage expectations once this is communicated to the general public? Recognizing dedicated bike riders expect a certain level of route and there is certain expectation for families out for bike rides with their children. I think if we have more information about the proposed method of distribution and the distinction between routes and loops, etc, I think we could get through this pretty quickly. David stated that he understood the concern about that; we are working on a result. David had some route maps from Portland, OR and shared these visuals with the Committee. They show in a very clear way where you have on street facilities, off street facilities, and even shows with red dotted lines difficult connections. It is clear to see where people of different levels of cycling where they would feel comfortable and where families would feel comfortable and at this time, when we are looking at ways to illustrate our routes we have the ability to show where some facilities will be located, we can show where low travel residential streets will be, we can show where multi -use paths will be located, we can show where trails will be located on these maps. We just recently completed an inventory of our alternative transportation system, so we have the ability to do that pretty quickly. We are still working on a way to package everything, after approval and we start promoting this, we definitely will have a package to show how everybody needs to address or use these facilities, however at this time we are looking for is for this item to move on to the City Council as a Thoroughfare Plan Amendment. Dan stated that the map from Portland gets to what the concerns of the Plan Commission were, i.e. it clearly shows different areas with different types of terrains and experience levels. David passed out some copies of the Alternative Transportation plan and reviewed areas that show there is to be an overpass location and grade separation with pedestrian crossing on SR 31. David stated that the overall intention is to distribute brochures. It will also be posted online, so people should be knowledgeable about any dead ends or routes they are supposed to take. Even though our system is immature at this time, it is the Department's hope that in the future we will have an integrated map. Jay Dorman suggested that the Committee members all seem to like to the red dashed line of Portland, so suggested that future versions be done showing another color across Meridian that would label it a dangerous intersection. David indicated that they will put the maps on the website as well. David stressed that at this point the Department is really focusing on the Thoroughfare Plan Amendment. At the same time Page 3 of 5 ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571 -2417 April 1, 2008 Plan Commission Subdivision Committee Minutes we are trying to get the packaging ready to go. David stated that they would like to unveil a plan in May because it is Bike Month and Bike Week, so the Department is trying to work quickly, but obviously we will not be able to have the signs up at that time. So in the beginning, folks will need to try and follow the maps without visual markings on the road. Ron Carter, City Councilman indicated that safety was the paramount concern of the Plan Commission and that the Task Force members have all ridden the routes, and are all experienced bike riders. The Task Force includes two past Plan Commission members and the Chair is a Plan Commission member. He stated that Kevin Heber is a very experienced bicyclist who helped to design these routes and who has ridden them to determine safety. He was on the lookout for hazards and safety concerns. The area on US 31 that was chosen to be the crossing area was determined by Kevin to be the best option at this time. The loops are for families, the routes are for more experienced riders who would commute utilize the cross city routes. The maps and the website would contain messages that were different for each of those two groups. The commuters would have free rein on this knowing that they can and will ride appropriately and ride safely. On the family routes there will be cautionary language throughout the website and the maps for them to be aware of those areas that could more difficult and for them to make. Ron stated that Kevin Heber is the best at finding safe, residential street to ride. We now have an extensive bike infrastructure that is available for riding. Carol asked if there will be separate route and loop maps. Ron replied that on the website that would be the case, but on paper maps it would be included into one. Nick Kestner, Task Force Member stated that the group is aware that there are some dangerous intersections and will continue to work on future routes and loops. Jay Dorman asked that whenever the bike paths cross Meridian or Keystone that red dot be applied to the legend as difficult crossing. Dan Dutcher made a motion to recommend back to the full Plan Commission a favorable recommendation to move on to the City Council, noting concerns about trying to maximize the appropriate way to present to the public is responsive to the different uses that are intended and to the different safety concerns that we have identified. Steve Stromquist seconded the motion. Approved 4 -0 Jay Dorman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Steve Stromquist seconded the motion. Approved 4 -0 Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Page 4 of 5 ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571 -2417 April 1, 2008 Plan Commission Subdivision Committee Minutes Carol Schleif, Chairwoman Lisa Stewart Page 5 of 5 ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571 -2417