City Council Update 01/09/25
Hello Neighbors! Here to give you an update of the most recent council meeting, land use meeting and exciting happenings in Carmel.
Please join me as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in collaboration with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation, commemorates Religious Freedom Day with a panel of noteworthy members of the Indy interfaith community. The event will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in the Pershing Auditorium at the Indiana War Memorial Building from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are free!
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2vw57dm7
CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES from 12/16/24
Special Recognition
Carmel High School senior Eesha Singh shared that Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS), a Hindu American society, is holding its annual “Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon” event. From January 18th to February 2nd, the HSS invites participants from all nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, and faiths to participate in the Yogathon to increase awareness of yoga’s health benefits. Join the HSS Carmel Chapter on February 2nd in Founder’s Park to celebrate the final day. Thanks for sharing, Eesha!
Committee Announcements
Councilor Aasen announced the creation of the Nominating Committee which will be led by Councilor Tony Green
Councilor Snyder and I will sit on this committee (recommended by yours truly.) The point of this committee will be to solicit applications for boards and commissions, then give recommendations to the Council. I believe this Committee will create a more transparent and open process that allows the best and brightest in Carmel to serve our wonderful community.
Councilor Ayers was named Chaplain
Councilor Green was named Parliamentarian
Land Use Meeting
The land use meeting opened with a discussion on our approach to reviewing the City of Carmel’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). We will work with the Department of Community Service to identify the most critical issues and review those first.
We spent the majority of our meeting discussing Lennar’s 146th development proposal. The developer made significant changes to the project, adding more single-family ranch-style homes, preserving the wetland area, and creating park areas within the development.
There was a robust discussion regarding density.
Pocket parks and more trees were added to the proposal.
The issue with any new project in Carmel is the high cost of land, which makes it challenging to meet the needs of all citizens. The desire to limit the number of townhomes means that the average price of these homes may be higher.
The 750k+ range is simply unattainable for many older Carmel residents looking to downsize or for young families trying to return to their hometowns. Lennar understood the neighbors’ concerns and is taking another look at this project.
I am genuinely pleased to see how hard we all are working to ensure that the best possible project is brought to fruition.
For more information on this topic, I would encourage you to take a look at the Housing Task Force’s Findings and Recommendations Report
Ordinances & Resolutions
Ordinance D-2740-24: Amends Chapter 2 Article 1 sections 2-1,2-3,2-6,2-10,2-12,2-13 & 2-14 of Carmel City Code
Clarifies the duties and components of government
This was approved
Ordinance D-2741-24: Amends Chapter 2 Article 6 sections 2-302,302 and 303 of Carmel City Code
Ordinance amending the budget procedures of the City of Carmel
Remains in Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee
Ordinance Z-694-24: Establishes the Towne 146 Planned Unit Development District Ordinance
Would rezone the real estate from S-1 Residential to a Planned Unit Development district allowing the development of a mixed-residential neighborhood laid out in the style and character as depicted on the Concept Plan which includes single-family homes and townhomes.
Remains in the Land Use and Special Studies Committees
Ordinance Z-694-24: Amends Chapter 2, Article 3, Sections 2-51, 2-52, 2-54 and 2-55 of the Carmel City Code
Amends the PTO and leave policy
Approved
Public Hearings:
First Reading Ordinance of Ordinance D-2754-25: Approves and adopts an interlocal agreement
Adopts and interlocal agreement with Hamilton County, IN, regarding the US 31 Ramps Economic Development Area
Approved
First Reading Ordinance of Ordinance D-2755-25: Amends Chapter 3, Article 1, Division II, Section 3-30 of the Carmel City Code
Amends the order of business for the Carmel Common Council agenda by adding the Finance Department’s quarterly budget reports
Sent to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee
Resolution CC-01-06-25-01: Approves certain matters in connection with the Old Town Economic Development Area
Creates a new Main and 4th Avenue Allocation Area within the Old Town Economic and Development Area, including an economic development plan supplement and a related City of Carmel Plan Commission resolution
Approved
Resolution CC-01-06-25-02: Approves certain matters in connection with the North Illinois Street Economic Development Area
Creates a new Frontage Hotel Allocation Area within the North Illinois Street Economic Development Area, including an economic development plan supplement and a related City of Carmel Plan Commission resolution
Approved
Resolution CC-01-06-25-03: Approves certain matters in connection with the North Illinois Street Economic Development Area
Creates a new Meridian Hotel Allocation Area within the North Illinois Street Economic Development Area, including an economic development plan supplement and a related City of Carmel Plan Commission resolution
Approved
Mayoral Appointments
Nick Kester, Bill Sanders and Matt Uber appointed to the Carmel Historical Preservation Commission
City Council Appointments
Two appointments of the Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability will be sent to the newly-created Nominating Committee for recommendation
I have proposed one of these candidates Dr. William Bennett who is a long-time Carmel resident, parent of a child with disability, and has a stellar resume.
There are many exciting things going on in Carmel!
Check out the 2025 Festival of Ice from January 17th to 19th from 10 am to 6:30 pm. There will be ice carving demonstrations, free hot chocolate, and a chili cook-off!
The 2025 Carmel Winter Games will take place at the Ice at Carter Green. Participate in or cheer for games like Ice Trike Relays, Human Curling and Human Hungry Hippo, while supporting Carmel Area Food Pantries.
The Ice at Carter Green will hold a Sensory Skate Day for children with sensory issues all day on January 29th.
The New Year is a time to reflect and to look forward. As I look back on my first year serving you as City Councilor, I’m so proud of accomplishments like presenting Carmel’s first official Diwali celebration, being named Interfaith ambassador by the Center for Interfaith Cooperation and facilitating the distribution of free sunscreen in Carmel parks.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m thrilled to spend this year making Carmel a safer, smarter and more sustainable community!
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!
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