The effort to rezone the 59-acre property located at the NE corner of 136th Street and Keystone Avenue (just east of the roundabout at Keystone) from R-1 to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) is BACK! 

A quick recap.  In 2017, remonstrators were successful in our efforts opposing a rezoning attempt by Beazer Homes resulting in Beazer withdrawing its rezoning application.  Then The Old Towne Design Group submitted a proposal to rezone the 59-acres to a PUD.  Old Towne worked with representatives from the surrounding neighborhoods, and in 2019 the two sides reached agreement on a compromise PUD that both sides could live with.  Unfortunately, Old Towne could not reach agreement with the landowner on purchase of the property and so it’s approved PUD is no longer effective.

Now, we’ve received notice that a new developer, Epcon Communities out of Ohio, has submitted an application with the Carmel Plan Commission to rezone the 59-acres to a PUD.  Epcon’s master plan for the property calls for 169 units, which significantly exceeds Beazer’s final proposal of 123 units.  

Epcon’s plan also includes several access and exit points into and out of the development at the INTERSECTION just east of the roundabout on the east side of Keystone.  This roundabout is one of the busiest in Carmel due to the volume caused in part by the traffic to and from Carmel High School.  In 2017, Carmel acknowledged the traffic issues at this location when it installed a light at the roundabout stating "those who travel through this area on school days are aware of the backups that occur."   If the Planning Commission and City Council approve Epcon’s PUD proposal for a high-density project with multiple access and exit points at the 136th Street and Keystone Avenue roundabout, such a development will certainly add to the existing traffic congestion and increase driver confusion.

The remonstrators have shown through our work with The Old Towne Design Group that we are willing and able to reach agreement on a PUD where the design variation and density of the proposed development fits with the surrounding neighborhoods and includes plans to neutralize additional traffic introduced into the area.   Unfortunately, Epcon’s PUD proposal that incorporates high density housing with architectural monotony does not follow the previous plans developed with The Old Towne Design Group and IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. 

PLEASE SIGN THIS ONLINE PETITION and tell our Carmel Plan Commission and City Council to deny Epcon’s rezoning PUD application.  The Carmel Plan Commission Committee has scheduled a virtual meeting for Tuesday, May 19 at 6PM.  The public can view this virtual meeting on the City of Carmel’s website: http://carmelin.new.swagit.com/views/1 or on Carmel TV.  Due to the Public Hearing being virtual  - letters of opposition should be sent to Joe Shestak @ jshestak@carmel.in.gov and referencing Docket No. PZ-2020-00028 PUD.

Make your voices and opinions heard and let our public representatives know that the citizens of Carmel want Epcon’s PUD application denied.