Letter #3 Erica Hendricks
Butler, Bric
From:Erica Hendricks <ica4001@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, March 20, 2024 6:14 PM
To:Butler, Bric
Subject:For task force consideration
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
Hello Bric,
I’m writing to express my thoughts on the future of Carmel development in hopes that someone will
listen. It feels like it’s impossible to have our voices heard even with the new task force in which there are
more groups represented in the build-it camp than not. It doesn’t feel like it’s starting from a position of
objectivity. In a recent Current in Carmel article, the city and Mike Hollabaugh said the dissent for
development is coming from loud minority. I think if leaders will stop and listen, this minority is larger
than you realize. I also think that many folks, myself included, aren’t completely against continued
development for our city. We simply request a more thoughtful outlook on development where space,
trees and existing communities are more protected.
For example, I find it appalling that the development at 111th and Penn was approved with 95% lot
coverage by ONE single hearing officer. How can one person have that much power? This shows zero
respect for the land and the existing neighbors surrounding it. Why on earth would the standard lot
coverage of 80% not be sufficient to make this a successful development? I think this is an example of
what continues to frustrate people. Another example is trying to ram a 5 story hotel into the tiny lot north
of the Ritz Charles. The “parking study” provided by the developer was a joke and easily refuted with a
boots on the ground tracking of actual parking availability at peak times. Another example is trying to
approve a 10,000 sq ft daycare in JG village - this space was meant and promised to that community to
be small village style walkable retail and restaurants and not intended for a 10k building. My antenna is
up on this too because who approves and builds a daycare without outdoor space for children to enjoy?
This feels to me like a long term play for the land where a daycare moves on and something else can go in
its place. 3 prime examples of ridiculous and unthoughtful consideration to development in Carmel.
Also, the new task force is expected to make their recommendation by the end of July. When will the
community survey results be available to them and to the community for viewing? Will it be before the
task for makes their final report? I respectfully request that no major decisions are made until the surgery
results are available.
In closing, the continued over development of retail and apartments puts at risk some of the major
reasons we chose to live in Carmel - less traffic and congestion, quieter neighborhoods, better streets
without potholes, more homeowners who value and take care of their properties. We chose Carmel
because we don’t want to live in overdeveloped vinyl box villages with massive sprawling apartments and
retail or unsafe, pothole ridden communities.
Please consider a lower density thoughtful approach to keeping the charm that is Carmel.
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Thank you,
Erica Hendricks
Erica Hendricks
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