Faith Over Fear

Hello neighbors,  

Happy New Year! I want to thank you all for your continued collaboration, enthusiasm, and friendship. May 2026 be an incredible chapter in the story of your life! I’d like to briefly highlight some of the things I’ve been up to this year (so far). 

Faith in the Face of Fear

I recently had an opportunity to speak at the Indiana Faith Voices for Justice’s Faith in the Face of Fear Rally at the statehouse. The event brought together diverse faith communities to stand for democracy, compassion and truth because moral courage grows stronger when we’re together.  

Happy birthday, Carmel!

The most recent Council meeting was unusually special because we got to celebrate the four remaining members of Carmel’s first City Council: David Coots, Jim Garretson, Jane Reiman, and Fred Swift. Fifty years ago, these outstanding citizens navigated Carmel through the transition from town to city with vigor, wisdom, and insight. 

Their contribution cannot be overstated; because of the foundation they laid 50 years ago, Carmel is now the greatest city in the world. I’m so honored to take up the torch they lit back in 1976 and represent all of you. This is just the beginning of our 50th anniversary celebrations, and I’ll be sure to keep you updated through my newsletters and social platforms about upcoming events.

Land Use Committee

I am excited to be Chairing the Land Use and Special Studies committee for Council this year. I take this responsibility very seriously and look forward to your help, support and attendance at these meetings as we work through projects and plans for the City of Carmel.

Our first meeting began with moving forward with a positive recommendation on Ordinance D-2762-25 the 15 minute parking spots on Main street that will allow for short drop off and pick ups in this busy small business district. 

We also spent a great deal of time discussing the Subarea plan for the US 31 corridor.  We have heard feedback from constituents over the last several meetings about their concerns regarding areas adjacent to neighborhoods. I have requested that Yard & Co work with our DOCS department to draft an amendment that will address those concerns. We look forward to seeing what solutions they come up with and how we can continue to work together on creating a plan that will lay the foundation for thoughtful redevelopment in this area.

As always, you can watch the entire City Council meeting here. 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES

Public Comments

• Jack Feldman is disappointed about current discussions to move public meeting times to work hours. 

  • If the city moves forward with this change, he suggested we create a more robust public comment system, perhaps in the form of an app.

Council Comments

• Boy Scouts Troop 112 joined us today–it’s so important that young people get exposure to local government so that they might be involved, informed citizens. 

• This year, I want to encourage you to bring your students, family members, Scout troop, or youth group to a City Council meeting to share with them how their voices can shape their community. 

  • Additionally, your fifth grader can be the deputy mayor for the day at one of our meetings! Reach out to me here if you know a candidate. 

Mayoral Comments

• Speaking of deputy mayors, Ariv Shah, a 5th grader at Smokey Row Elementary, was ours for this meeting! He let us know that:

  • Carmel drivers can now receive alerts about emergency vehicles on the Waze app.

  • The City received a grant to expand access to the arts in 2026

  • Our MLK Day Commemoration will take place on January 12 from 7 pm to 8 pm at Three Carter Green. Join us as we celebrate Dr. King’s life through a program of speeches, dance performances, singing, and spoken word.

  • January 16 and 17 will be our 2026 Festival of Ice. Come for professional ice carving demonstrations, a chili cook-off, ice skating, and more family-friendly fun. 

Deputy Mayor Ariv Shah

Land Use Committee

• Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday Feb 4th at 5:30 at the Carmel Public Library Board Room on the 3rd floor

Redevelopment Commission 

• As expected, redevelopment projects are doing well. I wanted to highlight a few updates:

  • A Ben & Jerry’s opened in Muse at the Corner, located at Westfield Boulevard and 116th Street. Yum!

  • The Redevelopment Architectural Committee, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officers approved the final component for the AT&T Redevelopment Project: 8 for-sale condos. 

Old Business

Ordinance D-2762-25

• Land Use voted to return this back to Council for the February 2nd Meeting with a positive recommendation

• This ordinance establishes 15-minute parking spaces at the beginning of each block along Main Street from Knoll Ct to 1st Ave SE, regulates parking on Range Line from Main Street to 1st Street, and removes inconsistencies and duplications in the code.

• The City completed the parking study but we as a council have not yet received the results. When we do, I  we will use this study to create a more robust make a decision two weeks from this Wednesday. 

  • We will discuss valet parking, parking garage use, and other important issues over the next two weeks. 

Ordinance Z-702-25

• Approved

• This ordinance amends the filing fees in Article 1, Section 1.29 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

  • Updates square footage fee, acreage fees, application fees, and permit and building inspection fees

  • It will also provide dozens of new services to Carmel residents

• The team working on this project has done an incredible job of overhauling fees, a task that hasn’t been done for decades.  

Public Hearings 

Petition to Vacate a Public Way

• Approved

• This vacates a public way at 310 2nd St. NE to Joshua A. Orendi.

• Comes with a positive recommendation from the City. 

Petition to Vacate an Easement

• Approved

• This vacates an easement at 751 Oswego Road to Thomas and Merilee Klootwyk.

Composting Update

• Carmel residents are eligible for discounted participation in a community composting program as part of a new partnership prompted by City leadership.  

  • Through a partnership with Earth Mama, Carmel is providing residents with a convenient way to adopt more sustainable practices, reducing the volume of organic material that enters landfills and lowering methane emissions in a way that supports Carmel’s Climate Action Plan goals. 

  • Learn more about this initiative here.

Events Around Carmel

• Bring the family to skate on the Ice at Carter Green every Wednesday through Sunday until February 1. 

• Visit the Carmel Winter Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm. 

• Carmel’s MLK Day Commemoration is on January 12 from 7 pm to 8 pm at Three Carter Green.

• On January 16 from 4 pm to 8 pm, the Arts and Design District is hosting an ice carving demonstration as part of the 2026 Festival of Ice.

  • On January 17 from 10 am to 9 pm, the Ice at Carter Green will have additional demonstrations, a chili cook-off, a DJ, and more.  

Thank you all for reading this recap. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in 2026!

Caring for Carmel,

Dr. Anita Joshi

If you have a fifth grade Carmel student who would like to give the mayoral update at a council meeting next year please reach out to me and I will be happy to put your student's name forward.

As always if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to me. I’m always here to listen and advocate for you. If you wish to review the details of our city meeting, the recording is available here, and the meeting agenda is available here! If you’d like to attend a City Council meeting, committee hearing, or other council events, please visit our website for the calendar!