Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 10-04-11CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE DEPARTMENT REPORT OCTOBER 4, 2011 Docket No. 11060014 DP: Meridian Main 11 The applicant seeks development plan approval for commercial and office uses on 26.8 acres. The site is located at 1304 W. Main St., and is zoned a mix of OM/MU Old Meridian Mixed Use on the southern portion and B- 6/Business and US 31 Corridor Overlay Zone on the northern portion. Filed by Jamie Browning for Meridian Heights Associates, LLC. The applicant seeks development plan approval for phase 2 of the Meridian Main development, for commercial and office uses on 26.8 acres. (The ADLS application/review of the building architecture, signage, lighting, etc. will be submitted at a later date.) The site is zoned a mix of OM/MU Old Meridian District Mixed Use on the southern portion and B- 6/13usiness and US 31 Corridor Overlay Zone on the northern portion. Please see the petitioner's revised informational packet for more detail. This area was a residential neighborhood a few years ago. The neighborhood was rezoned to OM/MU Old Meridian Mixed Use on the southern portion and B- 6/Business and US 31 Corridor Overlay Zone on the northern portion. The residential plat with the lots and streets were vacated, and most of the homes were demolished. There are about 6 -7 occupied homes left at the northwest corner of the site. The tree preservation requirements will be met. In the US 31 Overlay (Chapter 23B.10.04), sites with existing trees or stands of trees should make reasonable efforts to protect and incorporate them into the overall site design. The Landscape Plan must preserve not less than seventy percent (70 1 /6) of all trees that are: A. nine -inch (9 DBH (diameter at breast height) or larger, and B. located within the Greenbelt, Planting Strips, and perimeter buffering. Also, the Old Meridian District tree preservation requirements are: Sites with existing trees or stands of trees shall protect and incorporate them into the overall site design. The landscape plan must preserve not less than fifty percent (50 of all trees that are: (1) Six inch (6 DBH or larger, and (2) located within the required yard/setback areas. Sept. 6 Committee meeting recap Discussion was had about the project, the outstanding staff comments, and changes since the public hearing. The Committee did not receive the revised documents prior to the meeting, so it was deemed best to continue the item to the Oct. 4 meeting to give the committee adequate time to review these changes. Outstanding concerns /comments 1. The Engineering Dept. has received revised plans and a response letter, and updates on their approval status will be provided at the meeting. 2. The Forestry Dept. is working with the petitioner to get an amended landscape plan (showing required landscape bufferyard widths) that would go with the DP, understanding that the final details /plant species of that plan would get worked out with the ADLS phases. The petitioner will preserve the trees of appropriate size within those bufferyard areas, and that should be shown on the plans. The petitioner states that any additional tree preservation would be discussed at the ADLS stage. 3. The Alternative Transportation Systems Coordinator would like bike parking areas shown in front of every building on the DP, even though it will be addressed in the ADLS phase. He would also like the ADA crosswalks shown. Lastly, he would like the petitioner to indicate whether or not they plan to provide enclosed bicycle parking and/or shower and locker room facilities; on larger projects like this, he likes to ask the applicant to consider this to help with the bikability of the project. 4. Planning/Zoning Department's comments (for the southern portion of the site that is zoned OM/MU Old Meridian District, Mixed Use Subarea): a. Ordinance Chapter 20G.04.02 all street must accommodate on street parking (in the Old Meridian District). According to the Engineering Dept, on- street parking is not planned for the north/south street or Pennsylvania Way. The Thoroughfare Plan shows this street being a Primary Parkway, where on- street parking is not perntitted. The petitioner will pursue a variance from the BZA to not have on- street parking. F4 b. There is a minimum 10 -ft setback and a maximum 20 -ft front building setback line for buildings along the street. The petitioner will pursue a variance approval from the BZA to have building 9A be set back a bit further than the 20 -ft maximum. C. Buildings must occupy at least 70% of the frontage. The petitioner will pursue a variance from the BZA to not have buildings occupy at least 70% of a parcel's frontage on a street. Recommendation: After all comments /concerns are addressed, the Dept. of Community Services (ROCS) recommends that this item be forwarded to the October 18 Plan Commission meeting with a favorable recommendation and any conditions that the Committee might impose. CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE DEPARTMENT REPORT OCTOBER 4, 2011 4. Docket No. 11080011 Z: Monon Overlay Rezone, Natural Section North. The applicant seeks approval to rezone properties which abut the Monon Greenway north of First Street NW, to include them in the Monon Greenway Overlay Zone. This overlay district is super- imposed over the primary zoning districts, and its regulations shall supersede those of the primary zoning districts. The properties which are included in the rezone consist of properties which abut the Monon Greenway from 146"' Street to First Street NW. Filed by the Carmel Dept. of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission. and 5. Docket No. 11080013 OA: Monon Overlay Ordinance Amendment. The applicant seeks approval to amend the Monon Greenway Overlay Zone of the Zoning Ordinance in order to modify the regulations as need be during the rezoning of the affected parcels in the Natural Section North. Filed by the Carmel Dept. of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission. Please view the info packet for more detail. Proposed Rezone /Zoning Map Amendment: In an effort to protect the natural character of certain areas along the Monon Greenway, the City of Carmel proposes to enact the Monon Greenway Overlay Zone. The proposal is to amend the Official Zoning Map along the Monon Greenway, specifically including properties along the Monon Greenway from I" Street NW to 146 Street. Background Info: Since this particular area along the Monon Greenway is primarily residential and heavily vegetated, properties within the boundary are proposed to be designated in the "Natural Section" of the Monon Greenway Overlay Zone. Many current zoning requirements will remain; however, the emphasis of the Overlay Zone will relate to maintaining the tree cover and overall residential character of property nearest the Monon Greenway. No changes would be required by an existing resident upon the approval of this proposal; rather, this proposal is meant to affect future construction and improvements along the Monon. Ordinance Amendment to Text: To go along with the rezone, there is a proposal to amend Chapter 23H. Monon Greenway Overlay Zone of the Zoning Ordinance in order to modify the regulations as need be during the rezoning process of the affected parcels in the north section. Carn :el Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 23H: Mono: Greenway Overlay Zone is available on the City's website at: http /www.camiel.in.gov /index.aVx?page =41 &parent =198 Recommendation: The Dept. of Community Services (DOCS) recommends that the Committee discusses these items and then continues them to the November 1 Subdivision Committee meeting for further review /discussion.