Letter #1 Tammy Collins
Butler, Bric
From:bbutler@carmel.in.gov
To:Keeling, Adrienne M
Subject:RE: er: Carmel Housing Task Force
From: Tammy Collins <thecollinssix@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 8:20:43 PM
To: Finkam, Sue <sfinkam@carmel.in.gov>
Subject: er: Carmel Housing Task Force
Dear Mayor Finkham,
I read the recent article in the Carmel Current about the discussions among the Carmel Housing Task Force that has
been formed. The article and the task force does not sit well with me. I find the comments by Kryn Sausedo and some of
the others interviewees unsettling. First, the comment about the missing middle may be valid. I do not know anyone who
currently owns a home in Carmel who is looking to downsize to a duplex or quadplex. I am in that age range(61) and that
is not the type of housing that empty nesters are looking for. An empty nester in Carmel would much prefer a low
maintenance home. After living in a single family home for years, a duplex, townhouse or quadplex is not appealing. Multi
levels are not optimal for aging residents who would like a main floor master and a few other bedrooms for visiting
children and grandchildren. The same goes for first time home buyers. Who aspires to start their family in a townhouse?
Young families want some kind of yard for their children and dog to play. They want to feel like they own something of
their own and are starting their journey toward the American Dream.
After reading the article, it sounds like the members of the task force are not thinking about what is in the best interest of
the current home owners and tax payers of Carmel but rather the best interest of the builders and developers. Carmel is
not obligated to provide housing to everyone who thinks Carmel is nice and wants to live here and it is not obligated to
provide a pathway to enrich the builders. The builders can design according to the requirements set up by the city. If they
don't want to they can build somewhere else.
I was also put off by the condescending comment by Chris Pryor about the "small vocal minority". The people who do not
agree with the uncontrolled growth of multifamily homes is not a small minority. There are many, many residents who
object. They are the people who have put their money into their properties and have a stake in their investments.
I think that the solution for the proposed development at the corner of Gray Rd. and 146th St. was a good compromise
and more in line with what the residents of Carmel would like to see. Interview the missing middle and see what type of
housing they would like to purchase. My guess is that a multi family home is not what they are seeking.
I might suggest having some Carmel home owners on the task force who can intervene with suggestions that the "vocal
minority" might be willing to go along with because the minority is not really a minority.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my concerns.
Sincerely,
Tammy Collins
1