Submitted by Indiana Forest Alliance
Editor’s note: The following information was submitted to the Reporter by the Indiana Forest Alliance. Click here to read an information packet from the Carmel Plan Commission.
An 18-acre parcel of old forest in Carmel has been rezoned and approved for development without the proper and legal notification of nearby residents.
The property, located at Interstate 465 and Spring Mill Road, was rezoned for high-density development with a planned unit development (PUD) approved without proper input from neighbors. The forest there has stood for at least a century and is an important wildlife corridor along Williams Creek. The forest also protects residents from the harmful noise and air pollution of I-465.
Indiana Forest Alliance thinks Carmel City Council should hear residents’ concerns to protect forests like this as parks for the future. Carmel residents consistently voice this concern at Council and Plan Commission hearings, and it’s time the city hears and takes measures to protect Carmel’s remaining forests.
Local laws and ordinances require notification within 660 feet or two property ownerships of the development. Hamilton County failed to include all residents within these parameters, thwarting the community’s right to be heard. Indiana Forest Alliance has submitted a letter requesting a hearing and re-vote on the zoning due to the failure to notify neighbors as the law requires.
The letter and corresponding emails are here:
Because so few residents were notified before the re-zone, public comment was minimal, and the Carmel City Council passed the proposal in a 5-3 vote. Councilors Hannon, Green, and Nelson voted against the proposal. Once word got around, at least 39 letters of opposition were submitted to the Plan Commission who are now discussing the PUD’s design in the Residential Committee, which will meet Nov. 1. These letters as well as the development packet can be viewed at SpringmillForum.com.
The proposed development, ironically named “Flora on Springmill,” would cut down 80 percent of the trees and replace them with 120 high-density homes in what is now a low-density residential area. Residents have raised concerns about traffic congestion, noise, exhaust pollution, impacts to Williams Creek and wildlife, and how contrary the development would be to Carmel’s Comprehensive and Climate Plans as well as property values.
Photo provided by Indiana Forest Alliance
Carmel resident Nancy Tatum pleaded at the Plan Commission, “Where will the wildlife go? They will be killed on 465 and crushed by bulldozers. Please save the woods or at least let us survey the forest to save den trees and other important wildlife habitat.”
Another local Carmel resident and former biology teacher Mark Dewart is concerned about losing forests in Carmel and stated, “Carmel needs more forested parks. When the owners of the last large forests like this one are ready to sell their land, Carmel can’t match the offer the landowners receive from developers. We will lose all of the remaining large forests in Carmel unless more money can be found for purchasing land for parks.”
Indiana Forest Alliance Development Director Jennifer Christie challenged the notification process at the Plan Commission citing the lack of notification to several neighbors.
“We would have seen an outpouring of letters from the public at the rezoning had they been properly notified. A project of this scope deserves abundant and redundant notification. It will change the community forever.”
Carmel also recently passed a Climate Plan. Cutting 18 acres of mature forest is completely contrary to the recently passed Climate Plan – mature forests are Carmel’s best method for sequestering carbon and protect against flooding, heat, and other effects of climate change. This forest also provides the largest remaining habitat to wildlife along Williams Creek.
This forest is worth more standing.
About Indiana Forest Alliance
The Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA) is a non-profit, statewide organization founded in 1996 dedicated to preserving and restoring Indiana’s native hardwood forest ecosystem for the enjoyment of all. Learn more at this link.
About Forests for Indy
Forests for Indy is an initiative to establish a network of urban forest preserves in Indianapolis. Forests provide environmental, ecological and social services that make our neighborhoods more resilient in the face of an uncertain future. Forests cool the air, reduce flooding and serve as natural areas that contribute to mental and physical health, as well as improved property values and quality of life. Forest preservation strategies recommended by IFA include setting aside some forests for carbon sequestration, protecting forests near waterways, engaging neighborhood associations to preserve forests, enforcing tree protection ordinances and zoning plans and generating funds for acquisition. Learn more at this link.
Take a look at the huge swaths of central Carmel woods that were 100% CLEAR CUT with NO restrictions, NO studies. NO watching that deer families and fox families lived there and contribute to the food chain. Look at the overheads. These are forests and woods that provide carmel with fresh air. Have you see the amount of carbon that lands on our houses and cars from US31??? Take a real look.
And these developers have CONTINUOUSLY gotten away with it. Ask for forgiveness later and get a slap on the wrist and MAYBE an “operating cost” fine.
It is all built into their profit models. They do not care. They do not live here. They just want money. They do not care about the city.
They just cut every tree they can. Since a tree cannot make them money, they want them all gone.
This is extremely upsetting…I didn’t know this was in the works…so sorry, how it’s not too late to turn this around!
Would the landowners consider not selling to a developer? Contact the Carmel Parks to see if they would be interested. This area of Clay township has always been a beautiful site on up to the hills of 106th Street. For heaven sakes Carmel must you concrete every inch of Clay township?
The city response ; ” we’ve met all minimum legal obligations regarding notification, sue us if you disagree ”
At least they’re consistent on these matters.
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Does anyone really believe that city officials care about what the citizens think?