Committee continues North End/Old Town and Viva Benet dockets to May; trailhead, Monon screening and architectural revisions remain
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Summary
A set of 11 dockets covering the North End/Old Town and Viva Benet projects — including multifamily Viva Benet, Old Town townhomes and associated plats — was continued to the May 6 committee. Petitioner teams presented architectural revisions, EIFS reductions, a proposed Monon trailhead and a plan to screen parking from US‑31.
The committee continued 11 separate dockets for the North End / Old Town and Viva Benet projects to the May 6 committee meeting after detailed presentations on architectural revisions, trailhead design and landscape/lighting comments.
Dan Moriarty of the petitioner’s design team presented updated elevations and material changes for the Old Town townhomes and for Viva Benet’s multifamily building, including reduced use of EIFS in favor of lap siding and consistent window headers and base materials. Viva Benet development partners said they expect to meet or exceed green‑building standards used for multifamily projects and that elevated landscape and screening treatments will be provided for exposed garage facades.
On the Monon Trail connection and the proposed trailhead, Old Town and Viva Benet representatives said they are coordinating with Carmel Clay Parks. Justin Moffat (Old Town) said Parks will have the final say on detailed trailhead design and the petitioner expects to use a combination of graded mounding and planting to screen the parking and US‑31 from Monon Trail users. “One of the goals was to provide additional screening and landscaping and mounding to again, hide the parking, but also hide US 31,” Moffat said. The petitioner showed a concept trailhead with a small gathering overlook, a fitness‑equipment area and connections into the project’s internal sidewalks and the Monon Trail.
Staff told the committee the petitioner supplied a number of new project‑docs responses, but planners need time to review the uploads and follow up on wetland waiver items and landscape details along US‑31. Staff also asked for additional specificity on garage screening materials and for a finalized photometric lighting plan; the petitioner said cut sheets and a full photometric will be uploaded as part of the next submittal.
On parking, the petitioner reiterated prior approvals and noted that some urban‑residential variances were requested because of the site’s geometry and a small portion that touches the Monon overlay; the petitioner requested variances for setback, building footprint limits and parking counts consistent with prior North End approvals. Petitioner representatives confirmed they are committed to building a public trail connection and community‑oriented stormwater and BMP features required under previously adopted proof and parks agreements.
Votes at a glance Motion: Continue the 11 docket items for the North End / Old Town / Viva Benet packages to the May 6 committee meeting for further review. Tally: Ayes 5, Nays 0 Outcome: Continued to May 6 committee meeting.
The committee asked the petitioner to provide revised landscape plans, photometric lighting details, examples for garage screening, and finalized trailhead plans coordinated with Parks prior to the May meeting. The petitioner confirmed intent to deliver updated materials via ProjectDocs for staff review.
