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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sub 09-02-03 City of Carmel CARMEL/CLAY PLAN COMMISSION SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 The Subdivision Committee of the Carmel Plan Commission met at 7:00 PM on September 2, 2003 in the Caucus Rooms of City Hall, Carmel, Indiana 46032. Members present: Dave Cremeans, Chairperson; Marilyn Anderson; Wayne Haney; Pat Rice; and Pam Williams. DOCS Staff present: Jon Dobosiewicz and Angie Butler. The Committee considered the following items: 1.Docket No. 77-03 Z; (03050030); Hearthview Residential PUD The applicant seeks to rezone a 6.5 acre parcel from R-1/Residence to a PUD (Planned Unit Development) District designation. The property is generally located at the southeast th corner of 116 Street and the Monon Trail. Filed by Joseph M. Scimia of Baker and Daniels for Hearthview Residential th Joe Scimia of Baker & Daniels, 600 East 96 Street, Indianapolis, appeared before the Committee representing Hearthview Residential. Jim Thomas and Kelli Lawrence of Hearthview Residential were also in attendance as well as Greg Rasmussen, Engineer. This Docket had initial public hearing before the Plan Commission in June and was then referred to this Committee. Hearthview has asked to be continued on several occasions in order to provide an opportunity for representatives of adjoining neighborhoods to meet with Hearthview. Hearthview has had a number of discussions with neighbors, both individually and as an association, and as a result of the process, a proposal has been developed that changes the development on this site. Initially, a group of townhouses was proposed—4 units per building, for a total number of 29 units. After discussion with the neighbors, the proposal was changed to develop a total of 21 units in the form of duplexes, two units per building. The current plan is to allow the homeowners to attend their respective HOA meetings tomorrow evening, give an update on the proposed change, and allow an opportunity for feedback. The petitioner will then submit revised packets to Plan Commission members for the October meeting. This will also allow the petitioner an opportunity to appear before the Technical Advisory Committee, although there are no issues that will change because of the current revision. The meeting this evening is more for informational purposes. However, the petitioner would like to make it clear that any suggestions made this evening will be given due consideration. 1 S:\\PlanCommission\\Minutes\\SubdivsiionCommitteeMinutes\\SubdivisionCommittee2003September ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571-2417 Previously, the plan proposed 29 total units, including the existing Davis home, for a density of 4.55 units per acre. The current Comprehensive Plan accomplished splitting this into low and medium intensity residential, approximately 3 units per acre, low, and 5 units per acre at medium density. At 4.55 units per acre, this project fit well within the medium density. The new proposal is under 3.3 units per acre and is within the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Also two units per structure as opposed to four units per structure allowed a change in the external elevations that greatly affected the southern property line that abuts the current homes. It also changed the orientation of the buildings towards the Monon. The previous proposal provided for brick lap siding; the current proposal is all brick exterior except for the gables. The plan also includes two garages per structure as opposed to four garages per structure. A previous concern was raised regarding the length of the garage protruding from the main facility—these are now stacked so that there is no more than two feet to stagger and no more than 4 feet from the exterior. This has the effect of softening the look. The previous plan provided for 1400 square foot units—we now have 1800 square-foot minimum. The homes will have porches that face the Monon Trail, but the back of the homes will look like a front. The price point is now from the high $200’s to upward of $300,000 with custom features. Also, the decrease in the number of units will have a positive effect on traffic in the area and again, the units will all be “for sale.” This particular product has actually been developed and is existing at Sycamore Springs. The developer is using earth tones in the product and those colors will be available when the information packets are re-submitted. There are two units angled at the end of the cul-de-sac, and the view the property owners have from the southern property line will be much different from before. There is also a landscape berm along the southern property line and a 30 foot rear yard, more than is required by the Ordinance. There has been a request from some property owners along the south line to put the heavy brush, shrubs, and material with height, perhaps deciduous trees, closer to the neighboring homes. This particular design is more compatible with the homeowners to the south. The Davis Home on the property will be retained together with the bronze structure located to the rear. The detention area has not changed, and the planting strip along the Monon Trail will be preserved and supplemented. The planting strip to the west will remain as previously proposed. A connection to the Monon Trail has not yet been approved by the City, but the desire of the residents is to th locate that entrance as close to 116 Street as possible, and that will be done. Ultimately, that will require approval from the City. Some of the homes that are oriented north/south will enter from the west side or east side. All homes are brick structures, other than the gable. Nothing is requested for approval at this time and nothing final has been prepared until the neighbors have the opportunity for approval. At this time, the petitioner is asking the Committee to keep this item at the Committee level for final review, but in the interim, asks that this item be forwarded to the full Commission for other members’ input. Department Report, Angie Butler: The Department is recommending this item be forwarded to the full Plan Commission at its meeting of September 16, 2003 for additional input. Note: The Committee concurred with the Department’s recommendation. There were a number of persons present from the public, but the Committee thought it was appropriate to delay additional public input until the entire Commission had had a chance to offer their input. 2 S:\\PlanCommission\\Minutes\\SubdivsiionCommitteeMinutes\\SubdivisionCommittee2003September ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571-2417 Pat Rice questioned the ingress/egress limited to one access point. Joe Scimia responded that they had met with the Carmel Fire Department regarding this design, and the road has been reconfigured based upon their recommendations; the petitioner does not own the property to the east. 2. Docket No. 116-03 Z; (03070012); Fee Schedule - Ordinance Amendment Petitioner seeks a favorable recommendation on proposed changes to the Fee section of the Ordinance. Filed by the Department of Community Services. Mike Hollibaugh appeared before the Committee representing the Department of Community Services. Building Commissioner Jeff Kendall was also in attendance. The proposed Fee Schedule was discussed and fee structures from the surrounding communities were distributed and compared with the current proposal. Some of the definitions in the current proposal were explained further and questions entertained. Some of the points of discussion: 1) A permit requirement for the destruction of 25 trees or more on an acre of property--felt to be a very positive inclusion in the proposal. 2) Base Line Inspections and each additional inspection/project fees—case-by-case basis. 3) Residential inspections, fees for accessory buildings, commercial inspections. 4) Annual report review and late fees. Mike Hollibaugh commented to the Committee that the fees really do not reflect the amount of time spent—there is no hourly rate applied. In the past, the City has not looked at fees and decided to adjust them upward to justify administrative assistants or city planners. Historically, there has been a 3% increase in the overall budget annually, and for a budget that is $1.5 million, that is not enough to hire even one person. We would like to end up with more than a 3% increase, and one way to adjust it is to increase the fees overall. Pat Rice agreed, but thought the increase would still not be enough to cover the expenses involved. Dave Cremeans commented that the inspections are routed and not as if they are over and back from the farthest part of the township. However, what is being said is that the inspections have been running at a deficit. Mike Hollibaugh responded that if there were any major, unseen events, (such as “9-11”) it would affect the Department’s ability to generate revenue and at least cover costs. This proposal would allow the Department to meet its needs. th Both Dave Cremeans mentioned a sign violation at the southwest corner of 116 and Keystone Avenue; Marilyn Anderson mentioned signs on Michigan Road that are non-conforming, illegal signs. Mike Hollibaugh said the Department is constantly policing Michigan Road—it is a never-ending battle of sign violations! Marilyn Anderson moved to recommend approval to the Commission of Docket No. 116-03 Z, (03070012), Fee Schedule, Ordinance Amendment, seconded by Pat Rice, APPROVED 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM. _________________________ _______________________________ Ramona Hancock, Secretary Dave Cremeans, Chairperson 3 S:\\PlanCommission\\Minutes\\SubdivsiionCommitteeMinutes\\SubdivisionCommittee2003September ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571-2417