[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6196907,"mediaKeyId","3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0","parentId",3855615,"title","Plan commission approves 12‑unit Avant townhomes subject to utility coordination and a setback variance","audioSeconds",918,"startMs",337000,"endMs",1255000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0&start=337&end=1255","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0/thumbnail_337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196907/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Plan-commission-approves-12unit-Avant-townhomes-subject-to-utility-coordination-and-a-setback-variance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196907-d4dcf778142722858ac4939d343f6516/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445410&Signature=CUe4HoCcJTkdqAtvDCpYNWqMYmXdYNyebIzAoMiS3tj-8gLnbf5sm7xjg7y9GYXN7aHcCMScLs6C9ifewEq-OduIFt4FMeKGsha5G0bPLmv2kXvH9Y0Hi187GU2hWNT~VAKx1A98obIfg9sxvXiSS8-0zcfDJTXR2ma-yX9jvYEDLKFAy7zsgp8~5CY43AqZfSN2PkLJWYBHyneT2n8bCqnhOQB6gDb9XSiXq-hJQTntorR5WeMmYQax--viAIR9Fsuwl6jFxzSNIEfAR5YJhAHTMQL-SO6M01OUGGWthjb9MUxFIeckKzCgRIgsvHC1VY-JmCLKvwnJ~RL0obeFpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Carmel IN","date","2025-06-16T23:44:51Z","article","The Carmel Plan Commission on June 17 approved a development plan and ADLS for Avant Townhomes, a proposal for three buildings totaling 12 townhome units at 1260 Fairfax Manor Drive, conditional on final utility coordination and approval of a front‑setback variance by the Board of Zoning Appeals hearing officer.

Architect Jeff Desmit of Studio Access presented the project on behalf of the applicant and described the design: \"There are 3 blocks of 4 units ... all of these are 4 story units ...\" He said the buildings will use masonry (cast stone, brick) for three floors, board‑and‑batten siding on upper floors, glass railings at the front and picket railings at the rear, and that each unit includes two‑car garages and elevators. Builder John McKenzie said starting prices would likely be \"a little north of a million and go from there. Probably top out at a million 3 or 4.\" Planning staff recommended the item be sent to committee but noted outstanding coordination with utility providers and that the Urban Forester approved landscape plans.

Commissioners asked questions about setbacks, parking and optional fourth‑floor configurations. The petitioner said easements constrained westward shifting of the buildings and explained the fourth‑floor terrace could be an enclosed two‑story interior option on three units. After a brief discussion, the commission suspended its rules to take a vote that evening and approved the Avant Townhomes with conditions: utilities must be finalized and the setback variance must be granted on June 23 by the BZA hearing officer.

The approval was recorded on the record as contingent on those conditions and the commission congratulated the applicant.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Carmel Plan Commission - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Carmel Plan Commission approved the Avant Townhomes development plan and ADLS for 12 townhomes at 1260 Fairfax Manor Drive, subject to utility approvals and the grant of a front‑setback variance by the board of zoning appeals.","taxTitle","Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana","taxId",3929,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196911,"Plan commission forwards certificate‑of‑occupancy UDO change to committee to add change‑of‑occupancy inspections",684,4181000,4865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0&start=4181&end=4865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0/thumbnail_4181000.jpg","/articles/6196911/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Plan-commission-forwards-certificateofoccupancy-UDO-change-to-committee-to-add-changeofoccupancy-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196911-d46cb863740291be383401b82d62626b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445410&Signature=QjGI8~G~bncBxycDH0MNVrB0fRskeA5G3-wULknx3tQpZ2dUVny7qXBRRI8YTdTvnB8CVwlyEFQEz784E4u5QVRm~eeoKqZY9KaEZBRd1oGrcwoP1vTQ9K5GwHuzvdYaIt~0DaWV9kwmUUuVugHHU2yT0qRL-2dB8Pyiom2nslNr8U0kL16eWkqifbc~E8nVb-HamoKz3s7Q0zYsY0ZmK10P9lKiTov2QWVBrGhlQWGpAwGXUOhKBB9cw8bzJFdBNh2XAeqroo0NndXVwT1VfQFZRm84~Zzy2JZsx~6m71xOuVNnYSq~wsDulVLvQYZIL2sTeZI0Oh3dJ6150kui4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Plan Commission on June 17 voted to send a short amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that modernizes certificate‑of‑occupancy language, adds definitions and creates a change‑of‑occupancy inspection to the Committee of the Whole for final action.

Department of Community Services Director Mike Halibaugh described the amendment as a staff‑initiated, short update to align the UDO with current building‑safety practice and to add a specific change‑of‑occupancy review. \"The change of occupancy requirement is new ... this is a new inspection that will allow whenever a commercial space empties out before it gets reoccupied, they wanna do a safety inspection,\" Halibaugh said. Halibaugh said the amendment also clarifies that building‑safety officials will administer inspections and updates inspection language to reflect incremental inspections during construction.

Fire Marshal Chris Roren told the commission the change will address recurring life‑safety problems that appear when tenant spaces change hands. Roren said inspectors commonly find blocked exits, unlit exit lights, out‑of‑date fire extinguishers and added cooking equipment that lacks proper hood protection. \"That kind of thing happened over and over and over again,\" Roren said. \"This kind of helps to nip all that in the bud right from the get go.\"

Staff and counsel also noted the Indiana legislature recently amended state law on private inspections for certain building classes; legal staff said a separate amendment aligning city rules with the state law effective Jan. 1, 2026, will follow. The plan commission voted to send the certificate‑of‑occupancy UDO amendment (PZ‑2025‑00104) to committee with final voting authority.","The Plan Commission moved June 17 to send a short UDO amendment on certificates of occupancy and a new change‑of‑occupancy inspection requirement to committee for final action; staff and the fire marshal said the provision will help catch life‑safety issues when tenant spaces change uses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196915,"Plan commission favors UDO updates to development‑plan and ADLS rules, sends recommendation to council",544,2915000,3459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0&start=2915&end=3459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6196915/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Plan-commission-favors-UDO-updates-to-developmentplan-and-ADLS-rules-sends-recommendation-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196915-460d51de7cb7f65dcddae090db2fee65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445410&Signature=b8uhHpbanPoH39j919Kp-LZMKuNyQJcJI1sxWbXnAVRe4oGDNsQq6X38LBSWO2kK4uemUntUfE6dNize5IDHszTvFPAYZVLhZ~w~eXU13nmBXsiCN3kkZCuYuObM5PxnRfsP73SnsYiGYPaXbHiJ-7x-5H~L3AVBbq7QjMNwCw6SLUicl7aAeK4HyvFzaBx5V0CP4tn5aGbXjCnkhpkCVfMabsXIkIA0TICGHe4YESR9iu7DJIRmVq7JT4GM663lKf9-MJFhejxcKmFOVOWwbMS1JT2uS9SFpuFdfiFITML9ZvJ6PlSQNdgQEieoqQbpTXun~BKpiiNz~436RRHyqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Plan Commission on June 17 gave a favorable recommendation to a city‑council‑initiated amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that reorganizes and clarifies requirements for development plans and ADLS approvals and requires development plan review in B‑1 and B‑2 districts.

Office of Corporation Counsel attorney Sergei Grishkin summarized the purpose of the ordinance, describing it as the first installment of a larger UDO review: \"This ordinance amends UDO articles 2.2, 2.21, and 9 0 3 relating to development plan architectural, design, exterior lighting, landscaping, and signage requirements, application consideration, and approval processes.\" Grishkin said the draft moves some items between development plan and ADLS so each procedure is consistent, adds submission and technical‑review rules (including a 30‑day staff review clock once an application is complete), and incorporates criteria plan commissioners already consider — for example vehicle and pedestrian circulation, stormwater and erosion control, and signage references maintained by Urban Forestry.

Staff and commissioners said the changes primarily clarify and modernize existing practice: bringing B‑1 and B‑2 districts under development plan review because many such parcels are redevelopment sites; adding explicit requirements for traffic/transportation plans and best management practices for stormwater; and codifying ADLS criteria such as materials, massing, lighting, landscaping and signage. The department recommended committee consideration but commissioners moved to suspend rules and act; plan commission then voted to send the amendment to city council with a favorable recommendation.

The Plan Commission record shows the amendment now advances to city council for final action; staff noted the item is the first of several UDO revisions that council and staff plan to bring forward.","The Plan Commission on June 17 voted to forward a city‑council‑initiated UDO amendment to standardize and clarify development plan and ADLS (architectural design, landscaping, signage, lighting) rules, giving council a favorable recommendation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":44,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196920,"Plan commission approves CRC resolution amending Old Town EDA allocation areas",142,195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0&start=195&end=337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0/thumbnail_195000.jpg","/articles/6196920/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Plan-commission-approves-CRC-resolution-amending-Old-Town-EDA-allocation-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196920-c838e10a909cca61ea6e6ce5d96f58f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445410&Signature=UF-l-tcjz9k3d~S7YiFgI4LhFeIo7n7e-akBnxfgAorg1xH0AKm96yR-g1qAhoZJvRmbd2JcrENTktYecXKgPAzejkl2SOczEi3xbLuBqfkNl-P8T~FrtkOErOO8dSFzfC7B-XrdbT-IBzOqGGWzrA8FzFScyGSRZqKB6J-GSNqSm17BlQKL5Oeu3q718VhsyW4n8HTBb2F1UJA1yOHYHUjjQvvfIOZ3bOwDqz5YYNamNlOmS5AnsR25Owm5dtEvxWTMDyhux-2B8PykEZWiuIb9BdJNIqca9F8OSblLNRPM2hJDVJY7r9qRbI6defLhAuAkBqRyT9ZgLtXZ6TXGzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Plan Commission on June 17 approved a resolution finding the Carmel Redevelopment Commission’s amendment to the Old Town Economic Development Area in conformance with the comprehensive plan, a required step in the TIF amendment process.

Attorney Brad Bingham, representing Barnes & Thornburg and filling in for Henry Vostetzky, presented the CRC resolution (PC61725A) and described the change: \"This amends the declaratory resolution and development plan for the Old Town Economic Development Area by removing parcels from the Smoky And Monon Phase 2 allocation area and creates a new allocation area to be known as the North End Phase 3 allocation area. Pursuant to section 39 of Indiana code 36 dash 7 dash 14 and, lastly, adopts a supplement to the economic development plan.\" Bingham said the CRC had negotiated separate incentives tied to changes in project costs and that the amendment is the second step in the four‑step TIF amendment process.

Legal counsel explained the four‑step sequence: a CRC declaratory action, plan commission conformance review, city‑county council consideration, and final CRC action. The Plan Commission asked no substantive questions and approved the CRC resolution by voice vote; no opposition was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The action clears the plan commission step in the statutory process; the item will next proceed to the full city‑county council for consideration and then return to the CRC for finalization.","The Plan Commission voted June 17 to find the Carmel Redevelopment Commission’s amendment to the Old Town Economic Development Area in conformance with the comprehensive plan. The amendment creates a new North End Phase 3 allocation area and removes parcels from the Smoky and Monon Phase 2 allocation area.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6196925,"Carmel plan commission sends group‑home UDO changes to committee after public hearing",1567,1338000,2905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0&start=1338&end=2905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3855615-7c3149394c47a9ed06b745a738b380e0/thumbnail_1338000.jpg","/articles/6196925/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Carmel-plan-commission-sends-grouphome-UDO-changes-to-committee-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196925-63853f8fb6409ecd1e2741ab3d24c111/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445410&Signature=D3MMFBxHgmvtaXEWFTbHzI0ZVVCTuXvuK8tIFtbd8L9LWMMX-T5G15H9q168th4sY55xwosr-tRQgwFYC43-ami8QfpSRm4aj7U1ag6d3cUIyyHynNivZVC38PK1bzA9BR3RE4vqit1HTOwo4nAt9~zdpCwn9MTQFlNV7xArivAgYjHIhF60OF0IqTZ-tz5JkX3sMLwBVpZnOR1zjWDaT~FO1H1wxU5q4LbRbqevCAoQlYgjPHLLK~5EzwwcAxM-dQyToVQ-fQUCKKrHgamHmcZ83Evh6rR1UoFLj1PVCD0TZAN6cOk~C5-nEsJytjAq~MzkRsQCISXbmzC9tLPiuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Plan Commission held a public hearing June 17 on a city‑council‑initiated amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that would revise definitions, approval procedures and standards for group homes and then voted to send the draft to the Committee of the Whole with the committee having final approval.

The ordinance would: add state certification requirements for some group‑home types; cap the number of unrelated residents in certain residential districts; move most special‑exception hearings from a BZA hearing officer to the full Board of Zoning Appeals; and require the director of community services to advise applicants about building classification issues under the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Supporters of the changes said the amendments respond to recent litigation and aim to give the BZA clearer standards. Office of Corporation Counsel attorney Sergei Grishkin summarized the most substantive changes: \"The first amendment ... incorporates additional requirements for certain types of group homes, specifically group homes housing persons with developmental disabilities. They have to obtain appropriate certification from Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services and also, group homes housing individuals living with psychiatric disorders or addictions ... would have to obtain appropriate certification from Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.\" Department of Community Services staff noted the ordinance was initiated by the city council and that the plan commission has a 60‑day window to make its recommendation back to council.

Commissioners and council representatives asked questions about how the ordinance would work in practice. Grishkin said the draft would limit group homes in S‑ and R‑districts to no more than eight unrelated persons: \"The 8 ... came up ... it's probably one of the most common sizes of group homes that we see across Indiana and the country.\" He and others emphasized the ordinance remains subject to federal requirements such as reasonable‑accommodation provisions of the Fair Housing Act and that any proximity analysis of other group homes should be decided case by case.

Plan Commission members asked how many group‑home applications the city typically sees; staff said Carmel receives a \"small handful\" — generally fewer than five per year. Department staff also said some technical, minor edits will be proposed before committee to remove obsolete references to paper submissions.

The commission voted to send docket PZ‑2025‑00101 to the Committee of the Whole with the committee granted final voting authority; the motion carried with no recorded opposition.

The committee will consider minor draft edits suggested by staff and the legal department before returning the ordinance to the city council.","The Carmel Plan Commission on June 17 held a public hearing on a city‑council‑initiated amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that tightens certification, occupant limits and BZA review for group homes, and voted to send the draft to committee with final authority.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Plan commission approves 12‑unit Avant townhomes subject to utility coordination and a setback variance

Plan commission forwards certificate‑of‑occupancy UDO change to committee to add change‑of‑occupancy inspections

Plan commission favors UDO updates to development‑plan and ADLS rules, sends recommendation to council

Plan commission approves CRC resolution amending Old Town EDA allocation areas

Carmel plan commission sends group‑home UDO changes to committee after public hearing