Green
Finkam
On Tuesday, Carmel mayoral candidate Sue Finkam and City Council South Central district candidate Tony Green proposed updating the Home Place Overlay Zone.
Zoning overlays are used by cities to more effectively address special features and other aspects of the community deemed important to municipal goals and to protect the welfare of the neighborhood.
Finkam and Green ask that the Home Place Overlay Zone be revised to protect the character, the natural habitat, and the affordability of the area. Specifically, the revised Home Place Overlay Zone should:
- Provide a process for demolitions of single-family homes
- Disincentivize corporate rentals that ruin the character of neighborhood
- Ensure developments are not proposed that take out blocks of homes
- Ensure development, when it does occur, is compatible with existing homes
Finkam said updating the overlay zone is critical to maintain Home Place’s character.
“Strong, vibrant neighborhoods are a major reason Carmel is so special,” Finkam said. “As mayor, I will ensure development doesn’t endanger our community’s one-of-a-kind character, protect access to affordable single-family homes and work with residents to improve drainage, lighting, sidewalks, curbs, and amenities. This overlay zone is an important part of keeping that promise.”
Green said the first step is to update the overlay zone.
“For years I’ve advocated for increased investment in Home Place to improve quality of place,” Green said. “However, as we invest in street infrastructure, we must protect neighbors from being pushed out of their existing homes. Updating the overlay zone is the first step.”