HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sub 06-12-03 Special Meeting
CARMEL/CLAY PLAN COMMISSION
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE
Thursday, June 12, 2003
The Subdivision Committee met for a Special Meeting in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 6:30 PM
on June 12, 2003.
Members present: Marilyn Anderson; Dave Cremeans, chairperson; Pat Rice; Pam Williams.
Jon Dobosiewicz attended the meeting on behalf of the Department of Community Services. Also in
attendance were Mike Hollibaugh and John Molitor.
The Subdivision Committee met to consider the following item:
1.Docket No. 29-03 Z, Clarian North Hospital Campus PUD
The applicant seeks to rezone a 107.367 acre property from B-3, B-6, and S-2 subject to the US
31 Overlay Zone to a Planned Unit Development District. The site is located at the northwest
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corner of US 31 and 116tStreet.
Filed by Joseph M. Scimia of Baker and Daniels for Clarian Health Partners, Inc
Pat Rice requested the Committee review/revisit the Development Plan and Strategies of the U.S. 31
Corridor Amendment to the 1996 Comprehensive Plan dated August 1997 prior to proceeding this
evening. This review would be for the purpose of clarification and/or understanding.
Marilyn Anderson referred to pages 14 through 18 on the U.S. 31 Corridor Plan. This particular area is
referred to and the reasons why it is “potentially” an area to be expanded beyond Illinois Street westward;
there is specific criteria for that to happen. Ms. Anderson thought that what was initially planned was
more in keeping with the Village of WestClay or Providence on Old Meridian where the parts all fit
together. Ms. Anderson said she was having trouble seeing the proposed plan for Clarian as a
“comprehensive whole,” rather than if everything west of Illinois were “lopped off,” there would be a
complete plan that could stand on its own. The part that is west of Illinois Street is not clearly integrated
and Ms. Anderson was having difficulty seeing how if the Overlay were expanded, these are the things
that need to happen—and Clarian does not fully meet that. Ms. Anderson referred to page 18 of the U.S.
31 Corridor and the following sentence: “This roadway (the arterial proposed—Illinois Street) will serve
as a boulevard bisecting the office/hotel/specialty/retail component to the east and the high intensity
residential uses to the west.” Ms. Anderson believes that this is what the residents have been saying. It is
clear that this is what the residents of the area have been saying—it is clear-cut. Page 16 says
…..”Regardless of the specific design that might be employed, several basic development standards
should be adhered to on this site if expansion of the Overlay District is to be considered.” Ms. Anderson
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said she would have trouble looking at a plan that does not adhere to one of the criteria of expansion.
Pat Rice responded with the following comments: Between page 16 and what Marilyn read, it says,
…..”A well-conceived, planned, single family, residential family community probably situated along the
western Springmill Road portion of the site. “ Continuing reading, “…..Bisecting high intensity
residential uses to the west.” This was a little confusing and contradictory.
Marilyn Anderson said the map on page 17 helped with the confusion because the words over-lapped the
lines for the roadway. What was read is why the area residents are adamant that they have been promised
and commitments made that no commercial retail go west of Illinois Street. Marilyn said it is troubling
that area residents believe that they have done over and over what is required, obtained a commitment,
and then have it ignored--Marilyn said she is not willing to do that.
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Dave Cremeans said the study identifies the northwest quadrant of 116 and US 31, it begins with a
potential expansion area and includes 106 acres, exactly the parcel being discussed. The specific
requirements of that quadrant are clearly delineated in the Comprehensive Plan.
Jon Dobosiewicz responded that the document as a Comprehensive Plan provides direction to the Plan
Commission. There have been times the Plan Commission has not followed the Comp Plan—it acts as
a guide. In terms of a rezone such as the Old Meridian Zone, there was a Comp Plan amendment that
came along with the rezone, and the Commission addressed both the rezone and the Amendment. The
Commission has the opportunity to review what is felt to be a well-conceived plan, taking into
consideration the relevant planning documents. There was also an opportunity to review the 1997 study.
The Comp Plan is a guide to be considered as a decision-making tool. The one comment heard
repeatedly is that a non-residential use west of Illinois Street is not acceptable.
Dave Cremeans said he is concerned that the Comp Plan is a little too loose and not a master plan which
is what is called for—master plan being “what project goes where.” It is not fair to the petitioner or the
City to have a plan that no one can “wrap his arms around.” Dave also said he is and continues to be
comfortable with everything proposed east of Illinois Street and most of the Committee members agree.
The hospital part of the project is wonderful.
Dave Cremeans agreed with Jon Dobosiewicz that it would be helpful to see a diagram of what could
happen on the other west side of Illinois, even though it might change.
Dave Cremeans also said that at the inception of this project, there was commercial on Springmill Road
and after so many hours of public hearing and review, we have forgotten where we came from. The loose
ends are troubling, for example, the wooded area has been carved out and left blank. Area 2A delineates
residential, area 2B has been talked about as commercial, and area 1B is of less concern. Dave said he
does not necessarily want foundations, but he wants sketches of what the end result will look like. In all
committee discussions, it has been agreed that west of Illinois Street would be residential.
Pam Williams commented that some of that has already been submitted. In particular, the most recent
version of area 2A was OK. There were issues the last time, and perhaps we need to look at area 2B
before re-visiting 2A.
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Ms. Anderson said she does not see the same type of coherency between the parcels on this proposal as
she has seen on the Village of WestClay and Providence on Old Meridian. This particular proposal still
seems to be pieces arbitrarily put together rather than pieces that naturally complement each other in ways
we see in other places. This is really a hospital plan with some other service tacked in—the bulk of it is
not services for the residential component. Marilyn reiterated that she really had trouble with the
community believing that they got commitments regarding an important issue and trouble saying that that
part can be overlooked because there is conflicting information and to disregard it.
Jon Dobosiewicz commented that the Department and the petitioner should act first, rather than
responding to public comments.
Joe Scimia of Baker and Daniels appeared before the Committee representing the applicant. Mr. Scimia
struggled for words because he felt he had been led down the path and “bushwhacked!” However, Mr.
Scimia said he was willing to address issues. The applicant has addressed issues, made corrective
changes, and negotiated with neighbors. Based upon that, we came back with plans to address each
issue, and then more issues were raised. Now, we are to a point where a plan believed to address each
issue does not address a new issue of concern.
Mr. Scimia spoke about the Comprehensive Plan dated 1997 being a living document. The Plan is no
more than a statement of objectives, policies, and issues considered in making actual decisions. By State
Law, the Comprehensive Plan says it is a document that is to be given reasonable regard. No one has ever
been cited sued. The Plan is a very good document and the applicant falls within its parameters. Ms. Rice
asked to see the plan and then approve it. The process requires a development plan to be presented
before any development occurs in addition to ADLS review. The problem is, the Commission wants all
of the detail up front.
Following page 24 of the Comprehensive Plan, it makes it very clear that there are two types of situations
where the Overlay Zone would be expanded. The overlay boundary is where non-residential
development is to occur. It basically says that in the event the north/south road is not exactly 600 feet
from the highway, the actual Overlay will be where that road is. The Overlay is between wherever Illinois
and Meridian Street are. In other words, it should be the greater of 600 feet or the distance between the
highway right-of-way and the parallel roadway. Overlay boundary expansion areas should be considered
for expanded development if the criteria design guidelines outlined in Section 4 of the report are met.
This means it should go beyond Illinois Street if they are met. If that is not clear narrative, the map that
is attached clearly identifies expansion area all of the way to Springmill Road.
The logical step is that the Overlay would initially start out at Illinois, but if the criteria were met and
satisfied, it would go all of the way to Springmill Road. There are some contradictory statements, but all
of those things pointed out were present on the first day.
Secondly, it is agreed that the Clarian plan should meet all the design criteria set forth in Section 4. Page
18, the first full paragraph recites …”Approval of development in this expansion area, the area between
Illinois Street and Springmill should be contingent upon the City receiving a proposal that addresses
these criteria and that demonstrates excellence in overall design. The use of a Planned Unit Development
zoning designation with a sunset clause for receiving the development proposal could be used to obtain
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this. The zoning comes before development plan approval occurs. No one will spend the hundreds of
thousands of dollars you have to spend in Carmel to get a Development Plan approved without knowing
the zoning is there. It is logical to get zoning first, then seek proposals, bring in plans, and you don’t have
to approve any of them until the criteria are satisfied. Clarian has created the framework for area 2 that
says: “These are your basic guidelines, these are the pictures.” At this time, Mr. Scimia could not give
road circulation because if the buildings look different than proposed, the road will not look the same
internally.
We have now talked about providing a plan for a 107-acre project that will be built tomorrow. The level
of detail is not done up front, ahead of time—you let the normal process take place. It is as hard as a leap
of faith, but you have done it, for example, with the Carmel Science & Technology Center. The
Comprehensive Plan says that. Zone it first and return with a full Development Plan. This project is
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The statement referred to Ms. Anderson is in the Plan and
makes perfect sense if you don’t expand it. If you don’t expand the area to Springmill, then that would
be the dividing line. How can you talk about expansion and say Springmill will still be the dividing
line—then you have just said there will be no expansion.
Pat Rice said she too had raised the question about expansion. It isn’t that Ms. Rice wants ADLS handed
to the Commission now, but she didn’t want a blank check either. There is a compromise. Ms. Rice again
questioned the term “expansion” and asked the City Attorney why that term would be used if this area
were going to be residential. It could be an oversight in how the Comp Plan was written.
John Molitor responded to Ms. Rice’s questions. The Comprehensive Plan is a guide and it is not unusual
for a Comprehensive Plan to have language that looks like it contradicts itself in different locations. The
only thing required to be in the Comprehensive Plan are thee elements: 1) The Statement of Objectives
for future development (the jurisdiction) 2) A Statement of Policy for the land use development of the
jurisdiction and 3) A Statement of Policy for the development of public ways and other infrastructure.
(Section 502 of the State Statute. The next section of the law gives at least 25 optional elements that
communities may include in their Comprehensive Plans if they choose. The one that would be the most
particular would be the maps, plats, charts, and description material presenting information about land
use. To some extent, they say two different things.
Pat Rice then commented that is why there is confusion. The shaded map calls it expansion, but the
narrative says “Not past Illinois.”
John Molitor concurred. The legal effect of the Comprehensive Plan is to state that each governmental
entity shall give consideration to the general policy and pattern of development set out in the
Comprehensive Plan when you adopt Ordinances, Rezones, etc. If you do not give any consideration, if
you do something arbitrarily, then you are probably acting unlawfully. But, if you give consideration and
then have a reason for making a different judgment, that is lawful. We don’t have any case law where
communities have been reprimanded by the courts for failing to follow their Comprehensive Plan. Other
states are much more strictly regulated than Indiana.
Pat Rice said it is quite clear that the Committee has given a lot of consideration to this application, and
there is still no good road map.
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Jon Dobosiewicz reported for the Department. Can it be interpreted through the Comprehensive Plan
and this study that it is not intended for commercial use to be on the west side of Illinois Street? The
answer is “Yes.” Does the plan proposed by the petitioner conform to that which could be interpreted to
the plan? “No.” Is the Plan Commission able to forward a recommendation after considering all of those
things to the City Council? “Yes.” Does the Council have the ability to approve a rezone that is not
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan? “Yes.” Should they? That is left to be decided and the Plan
Commission will make a recommendation to the Council and the Council will deliberate the same things
being deliberated this evening. The Council will ultimately make the decision because they are the final
arbiter. The Plan Commission’s role is to examine the document and make a recommendation to the
Council.
Pam Williams referred to the statement on page 18 in the Comp Plan, specifically the “high intensity
residential uses to the west,” would appear to support whatever is west of wherever Illinois is placed.
Comparing the statement on page 18 with the second bullet point on page 16 which says “a well
conceived planned, single family, residential community probably situated along the western portion of
the site, means something different. In applying the second bullet to the plan before the Commission, 2A
seems to meet that, if you are interpreting this “probably situated along the western portion of
Springmill.” Assuming it does meet the criteria, what does that leave for the rest of the parcel, 2B? What
else falls into high intensity residential uses? It becomes less clear as to what types of residential uses
would be west of Illinois and does that second bullet narrow that in anyone’s mind?
Dave Cremeans said he never envisioned this being large lot, single family homes. A well conceived plan
for a residential community can be brownstones, townehomes, owner/occupied, and be very high
intensity because there is very little green space.
Pam Williams wondered whether the bullet suggesting that type of use along the western portion of the
site then opens the door for a different kind of use along the eastern potion of the western portion, (west
of Illinois Street.) Is it just another ambiguity?
Marilyn Anderson responded that it doesn’t define where the western portion starts. Whether the
western portion is along the plan in being or along Illinois Street, the bullet point does not address that.
Marilyn Anderson reiterated that she has troubling with people believing they have commitments, and
then the commitments are not followed. What the neighbors fought for from the 20/20 Vision Plan
through various Plans, it is a problem to go against that.
Pat Rice again commented that the Commission is looking at a “possible” use. There is a proposed
collector road coming off of Springmill, but the narrative says absolutely nothing coming off of
Springmill—the Thoroughfare Plan does not show that, but the map shows it as proposed. Ms. Rice said
the Committee does not have all materials needed.
Dave Cremeans thought they had adequate materials for review. At this point, the petitioner should be
given some clear direction rather than changing the rules.
Marilyn said they had talked about trading retention ponds east of Illinois for some of the non-residential
uses west of Illinois Street, and that did not happen. That is one of the things that violate commitments
made to the neighbors in the area that only residential would be west of Illinois.
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In response to questions from Pat Rice regarding the re-location of the ponds, Joe Scimia’s recollection
was a request for more residential and less commercial development. Previously, the plan was for 16
acres of residential development and 19 acres of commercial development. This has now been reduced
significantly to provide for over 26 acres of residential development. Physically, the pond cannot be
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moved for less than one million dollars; the outflow is at the corner of the site at 116 Street and US 31.
The water would have to be moved all the way around the site and then, to get it to that corner would
require a huge underground pipe, and you cannot build on top of the pipe. We reduced the commercial
down to 12-14 acres from over 20 acres. We actually took eight acres, the size of the pond, out of
commercial so the effect would be the same as if we had moved the pond.
Pat Rice asked for clarification. The owner of the project, the petitioner plans the whole project, not
necessarily builds it, but plans the entire project. Ms. Rice was not sure that this is actually what is before
them at this time.
Jon Dobosiewicz said there have been approximately six or 7 PUD’s over the last eight years the Plan
Commission has forwarded to the City Council for ultimate approval. Of those, there was only one
project the Commission knew exactly what was going to built there at what it was going to look like at
the time of zoning—that was Lowe’s. The other petitions such as Village of WestClay, Providence at
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Old Meridian, came in as a PUD. Parkwood West along Springmill at 96 Street, showed a layout of
what could happen, then they returned to the Commission with their DP/ADLS approximately one year
after zoning approval.
Pat Rice was concerned about a coherent plan and wanted to see what the area would not look like. The
woods is now an excluded area, but it is something else if it comes back with the woods stripped and
residences planned on the ground.
Jon Dobosiewicz said the petitioner could file a subdivision plat, and the Department would review it as
they do all subdivision plats. The petitioner is not asking to change the zoning tomorrow. Someone
could file a subdivision plat on that acreage. What the petitioner is saying is that tomorrow, you have the
same expectation you do today. Jon thought that Pat Rice was asking for a layout similar to a layout on
1A, of what 2A and 2B may look like in the future. If that would happen to change in the future, the
petitioner would return and submit a final Development Plan that may not conform to a preliminary.
What the petitioner does know today is that area 1A reflects what is before the Committee today. If the
Committee would like the layout attached to the PUD as an exhibit that provides that information, the
petitioner could probably submit that. In reality the petitioner is taking a big risk—they are saying here
are the general uses and the development standards to be employed, but the risk being taken is there are
a million ways to get there. The one presented to the Plan Commission in a year may not be the Plan
Commission’s vision, and the Plan Commission is the ultimate arbiter.
Marilyn Anderson commented that if the petitioner were to come forward with more detailed drawings
for those areas, it would be the same when a developer comes before the Board and says “Here is what
the houses will look like.” We know they may not look like that because they are not locked into that.
The uses are what really count here—what the permitted uses are. When the petitioner returns with their
final plan, and if the Commission does not like their plan, the Commission can object. But, if the use is
permitted—it’s done—we can’t object to a use that we say is permitted.
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Dave Cremeans said the Committee would be a lot more comfortable with S-2 Residential on the west
side of Illinois Street, rather than high intensity residential.
Pam Williams requested more information from the petitioner this evening.
Joe Scimia thought the discussion as it relates to the Comprehensive Plan was over. We have all
acknowledged that there are things that can be construed differently. Joe Scimia’s only point was that if
the Commission decides no residential on the west side of Illinois Street, then the expansion discussion,
the map, everything is emasculated, taken out, because it would not make any sense. If you can’t have
residential on the other side, you cannot have expansion.
Dave Cremeans offered his opinion—Illinois Street should move westward.
Joe Scimia said some people feel that the separation between Illinois and Springmill should be looked at
again. The road could be bumped out and move all of the way to Springmill, but then, you are back into
the discussion if Springmill should be the major road.
Pat Rice referred to the map and the location of the landscape buffer. Joe Scimia thought it suggested
the buffer between residential and commercial, and everything on the east side of the buffer would be
commercial—otherwise it is buffering residential from residential.
Dave Cremeans was of the firm belief that Illinois Street should definitely be the dividing line. West of
Illinois Street should be residential—east of Illinois Street should be commercial. The Committee was
more comfortable with area 2A, 2B, and the excluded area were all the same zone designation. Illinois
Street could then fit the petitioner’s needs. Dave Cremeans was adamant that something had to be done
to soften this project west of Illinois Street; the general opinion of the hospital itself was favorable.
Pam Williams commented that the petitioner really has no control over the location of Illinois Street—the
City will have to “sign off” on where the road is located.
Dave Cremeans agreed and said the City Engineer would be involved. Also, the road is delineated on the
Thoroughfare Plan as a serpentine boulevard and it will meander and wander and by design, not look like
an interstate. Who is to say that part of the snake can’t “bulge out” a little? The road moves probably
150 street to where it goes into the Ritz Charles property.
Jon Dobosiewicz clarified Dave Cremeans’ comments. If Illinois Street were to become the dividing line
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between area 2A and 2B, and shift closer to Springmill at the intersection on 116 Street, area 2B could
still exist as long as it was on the east side of Illinois, closer to Meridian Street—not on the other side of
Illinois Street. If that were to occur, when the Pittman property south of the proposed Clarian site came
in for development, we would be having this exact discussion—the location of Illinois Street. As long as
everything on the east side of Illinois Street is NOT residential and everything on the west side of Illinois
IS residential, that is OK. If that is the situation, then why is there an Overlay boundary expansion on this
property and not anywhere else. Jon said he was having trouble in interpreting what the intent was in the
Development Strategies document that paid special attention to this site. If the intent along the whole
corridor was that everything on the west side of Illinois was residential and on the east side, commercial,
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then it is OK everywhere. But, at this particular location, there is an expansion, but for no reason.
John Molitor modified Jon’s comments. The Comp Plan seems to speak of the possibility that the
Overlay Zone can be expanded beyond the 600-foot line of demarcation in three places. Two of those
places are at I-465 and have already been dealt with; the other one is here at the northwest corner of this
interchange—it would not apply to the southwest corner. There is no support in the plan to expand the
Overlay Zone beyond 600 feet. It doesn’t matter where Illinois Street goes, it could be 900 feet from US
31, but there is no support to expand the Overlay Zone beyond 600 feet once you get out of this parcel.
Dave Cremeans again gave his comments that the intent and vision of the 1997 Comp Plan was that there
would be residential on Springmill and commercial towards US 31, and that it would all fit together.
Theoretically, Simon could file a plan for a shopping mall there, but it probably would not be approved.
However, that would still fit the requirements of the Overlay Zone and we could expand it to Springmill.
Dave Cremeans said he would like to see the hospital at this location and that it could bring industry,
jobs, and lots of positives for the City. Medical technology is certainly a good thing.
At this time, members of the public were invited to speak and offer comments; the following appeared:
Judy Hagan, Township Trustee, said the whole point of this expansion of this property and the other two
is because it is a single-owner property with an opportunity to do a master planned, integrated project so
that development is not done piece-meal. The problem is there is no master plan in front of you for 106
acres. This petitioner has been asked consistently during this process to provide that and has not or is
unable or what has been presented is not acceptable. The Commission does not have to approve
this—there are or will be other petitioners who will be very happy to meet the requirements of this
Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan done in 1997 that addresses this site. It is a very important,
significant, expensive corner. Do not be afraid to say “No.” Ms. Hagan suggested that if the Committee
wished to discuss this further, they might want to follow through with the rest of the language regarding
the PUD. Perhaps give the petitioner a one-year PUD with an opportunity to come back within that year
with a preliminary development proposal for the entire site. If they are serious about the site, they will
get their act together and come back with a plan. The reason the expansion language is written the way
it is, is because of Springmill. It continues to include residential and that is specifically listed in the bullet
points referenced tonight and it took into account the history, the neighbors, etc. There is nothing wrong
with the document—the petitioner does not meet the intent of the document.
Dave Cremeans responded that this could be approved, and they have one year to come back with their
master plan development.
Judy Hagan said that is potential, they could, and if they do not meet the criteria, the rezone (PUD) goes
away. Ms. Hagan wanted to go on record with the following comments: “As Township Trustee and as
an appointing authority to this body, I am dismayed that this document (the Comp Plan) was not in front
of you immediately and initially when the petitioner came before you. I cannot begin to tell you how
irritated I am—this is a total failure of this system. It seems to me the short solution is to cut it loose and
start over again with everybody plugged in and a workshop with all the basics covered by Staff before a
petitioner comes back. We have had a number of pieces of property in this community where there have
been two or three petitioners in that were not successful. Don’t worry about that, deal with the issue
before you. In my opinion, this petition does not meet this expansion area, and I think that is why you are
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all struggling with it. You are trying to make it work, trying to give him suggestions, and it gets more and
more cobbled up the longer you go because more and more questions get raised. Those questions need
to be raised in a training session as to what your Ordinances means and you need to have that in front of
you when a petitioner comes in. That way you can hold him accountable and we don’t get down the pike
with everybody struggling with it and it doesn’t feel right but we don’t know why. No Harm in Cutting
Them Loose.”
Kathy Statler, 349 Mallard Court, Carmel, said she was not opposed to the revised PUD as it is being
offered today with the 500 plus feet of woods excluded. The woods have been excluded from the
proposed PUD Ordinance, and therefore in good faith, we are not remonstrating. Ms. Statler was not in
favor of moving Illinois Street any farther to the west. Ms. Statler thanked Clarian and Steve Valinet for
working with the area property owners and continuing to do so to create a conservation area by deeding
it to the Parks Department and the City of Carmel. The woods are important to the community and the
Mayor is in support of preserving the woods. We look forward to the woods becoming a future nature
preserve.
Dave Cremeans asked Ms. Statler if there were written commitments in existence for deeding the
property and a future nature preserve. Ms. Statler said the residents were hoping for that.
Joe Scimia said there is no commitment, but Mr. Silvers had talked with Clarian about finding a way to
dedicate the tree area and make it park-like. Mr. Scimia said it depended upon whether or not it would
count as open space for a cluster development. There is no commitment, but Mr. Silvers would like to
see that happen.
Jerry Golden 308 Springmill Court in Springmill Place, said he agreed with all comments made by Judy
Hagan. Mr. Golden said he had attended meetings for two years regarding Illinois Street and buffer
issues. The key issue here is Illinois Street and residential west of Illinois Street. There is amendment
language regarding the size of buffer between Illinois Street and residential as well as the buffer on the
other side. There is not consistency between the map and the narrative in the Comp Plan. The key is in
terms of the language of the document. The neighbors being talked to are all developers; the residential
neighbors have not been approached. Mr. Golden felt that if this property were rezoned, it would have
the domino effect—the key is not to allow the rezone and not allow commercial west of Illinois Street.
Mr. Scimia responded to the public comments saying they have worked a long time to get to this point
and have followed the directions of the Committee. If they could move Illinois Street, they would do so.
Mr. Scimia said they have worked with the Dept of Public Works and with Kate Weese, City Engineer.
The road has already been designed and the petitioner would not have proceeded if they had not been
told generally where the road was to go. In fact, Clarian used the same consultant the City employed.
If you move the road to the west, you end up with a parcel, particularly 2A, with major frontages—one
on Springmill and one on Illinois. That makes it difficult to develop when flanked on two sides by a major
road.
Mr. Scimia said he actually agreed with a number of comments made by Judy Hagan. One of the
comments made by Ms. Hagan was the suggestion to approve the PUD, give the petitioner time to bring
in plans, and if the Commission does not like the plans—the petitioner cannot build it. That is exactly
what is before you! If the east side is OK but the west side doesn’t muster, then you would say no to the
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plan! It has been six months reviewing the plan, and Mr. Scimia said he had no way of measuring how
close they were—this is a good process and a good product will come out of it. You must remember that
this is Clarian’s front door too, and we would not let something happen there that is not compatible with
the project.
Mr. Scimia said they had met with the adjacent property owners directly affected by this project. Mr.
Pittman, Mr. Hilbert; correspondence has been received from Mr. Frenzel in support of this plan. Mr.
Frenzel has the most to risk because he is on the other side of Springmill Road—that is all of his
property—the full length of our frontage. Mr. Frenzel will be in attendance at the full Commission
meeting later this month. It is always a tough decision to rezone. This is a big piece of property and a
valuable piece. You have to weigh the benefits of the entire community against the impact it has on a few,
and the people most directly impacted adjacent to the project are not opposing this.
We have walked through this Ordinance page-by-page and at that point, everyone was comfortable with
what was in there—the objectionable uses have been pulled out. If we don’t provide something in 2B that
would be acceptable, then you would not approve it. However, we have totally encapsulated that piece
of ground with residential development. The effect or impact has been diminished by what has been
required as far as encapsulated by residential. It is impossible to make everyone happy.
Following a short recess, the Committee continued with its review.
Joe Scimia continued with his comments. There have been significant changes, some of which we have
already talked about. The entire wooded area west of Illinois Street that is now the area marked
“excluded” was excluded based upon negotiations and discussions between Greg Silver who represents
the property owners to the north as well as Clarian. Mr. Silver said single family residential that would
back up to Springmill and conform to S-2 zoning would be preferable in this area. Because the wooded
area is separate, it is a possibility, but Mr. Scimia said at some point, he believed it would be combined
with Area 2A and there would be a development plan to cover the entire parcel. Given the open space
requirements and residential zoning classifications, there are provisions that would make it a successful
development if the wooded area could be counted as open space toward the density requirements toward
the cluster concept. However, the neighbors say that until that happens, they are uncomfortable and they
want to make sure that the whole process will occur if that were to be done. That would require a rezone
plus the development plan approval process.
th
When it was realized that the pond along 116 Street could not be relocated in a practical or economical
way without creating some chains, and that there would have to be a canal in that area to run water to the
corner, the area that is wooded, and the area that would be picked up by relocating the lake would be
approximately the same. It because clear that the smart thing to do would be to make the partial area
smaller and also help the people to the north. We could make 2A include the excluded area, but it was
the neighbors’ desire to exclude it altogether. Based upon that and the fact that the amount of
commercial area was being increased, Clarian agreed to exclude the area. The result of the exclusion was
that it gave the property owners to the north what they wanted, and it decreased the amount of
commercial development.
Early on, there was a desire that said the entire project should be encapsulated by residential and isolated.
Clarian has accomplished that by basically excluding the area and leaving it S-2 and making parcel 2A
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larger and decreasing 2B. The point was that we could control the buffering around the entire
commercial area in a way that would meet the design criteria of the Comprehensive Plan as well as the
PUD Ordinance. It would ensure that anything surrounding or contiguous was touching residential.
Clarian also took to heart some of the suggestions regarding the height of the structure. Area 2B has been
reduced to 60 feet. By lowering the height, the visual barrier would be created that would maintain the
residential character along Springmill. The parking is now behind the building and not on Illinois Street.
Also, the hotel, conference center, and sit-down restaurant totally out of the west side of Illinois Street
and it would be confined to the east side of Illinois. Only professional office/medical office would be on
the west side; any retail would be on the lower level. Use and Development Standards, landscaping, etc.
have been incorporated into the plan. Out of 5 or 6 PUD’s approved in the last year, only one had the
entire plan for the entire site set out, and that was Lowe’s. The plans for Buckingham Properties were
conceptual, and they are now coming back before the will actually build. Clarian will bring back what
they will actually build and the Commission will have a change to vote thumbs up or thumbs down.
The Hamilton County Assessor was asked to do a pro-forma on the benefits of this facility. The total
assessed value applied at the current tax rate provides for an annual tax total on Clarian of $1.6 million
annually. As a comparison, the entire Parkwood Development, corporate headquarters complex, pays
annual taxes of $1.2 million. The figures are computed on area 1A only that has been proposed for
development.
There is no one in Area 1A that will create a burden on the schools. Those dollars will be pledged to pay
for infrastructure until those are paid off. You can do a lot with $1.6 million annually in debt service.
US 31 will be going forward with their limited access plan. At some point, all of that traffic will have to
go somewhere. If Illinois Street is not built before the limited access plan is in effect, the traffic will end
up on Springmill Road. Clarian does provide the benefit and impetus to get that started.
The other issue was the traffic analysis, and this will be gone into further next week. The proposed
development results in the decline of a number of trips at AM peak hours of over 680 trips. At PM peak
hour, the decline is over 2,000 trips—that means there are 2,000 less cars coming and going I the evening
as a result of this plan as compared to the originally submitted plan. There was a question with the
original plan as to how long it would work. John Myers of Parsons Brinckerhoff said the plan would
work initially but he was concerned at build-out if an automatic signal at one of the intersections would
be necessary. The situation has improved, and Bill Fehribach of A & F Engineering believes the
round-about will work.
Stephanie Blackman asked for clarification on the traffic analysis.
Mr. Scimia said the original plan had retail components and a lot more office components. At the worst
case scenario, the highest intensity level generated in the morning was 1936 trips; in the evening, 3,493
trips were generated. The new plan decreased both of those, morning and evening, round trip, by the
numbers referenced earlier. That means 1253 in the AM and 1429 in the evening—a major decrease.
Pat Rice asked what would happen if this complex were to go to a not-for-profit in terms of the tax base.
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Mr. Scima responded that two things would happen. During the T.I.F. period that bonds are utilized,
Clarian would guarantee those.
Dave Cremeans further clarified that the $1.6 million annually will go to retire bonds and infrastructure.
Taxes will not be paid to the City until the bonds are retired.
Pam Williams suggested reviewing the PUD beginning with 2B on page 16 and focus attention on that
area, since that appears to be the issue.
Dave Cremeans was firm in that area 2B would be black-lined and become part of area 2A. All of the area
west of Illinois Street would become 2A. Joe Scimia said he did not have the authority to accept that.
Regarding a daycare, the Spring Lake HOA was concerned about this facility and Clarian agreed not to
put in the daycare until they came back and showed the HOA how it would be positioned and what the
transition would actually be.
Dave Cremeans clarified that the vote this evening would be on the proposal, as is.
Marilyn Anderson moved to forward Docket No. 29-03 Z, Clarian North Hospital Campus PUD, back
to the full Plan Commission with a favorable recommendation. The motion was seconded by Pam
Williams and voted 2 in favor, 2 opposed. The MOTION FAILED.
Docket No. 29-03 Z, Clarian North Hospital Campus PUD
Pat Rice moved to forward to the full
NO RECOMMENDATION
Plan Commission with . Following a second by Marilyn Anderson, the
APPROVED
motion was 4-0.
Dave Cremeans took a “straw vote” and the Committee was in favor of eliminating the 2B area.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM.
_______________________________
Dave Cremeans, Chairperson
___________________________________
Ramona Hancock, Secretary
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