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Strong Towns group urges Autumn Greenway, transit and "missing‑middle" housing to help Carmel reach climate goals
Summary
At the July 22 Climate Action Advisory Committee meeting, Jordan Cole of Strong Towns Carmel told the committee the group supports completing the Autumn Greenway, adding public transit options and legalizing smaller housing types to reduce vehicle trips and greenhouse gas emissions.
Jordan Cole, a Carmel resident representing Strong Towns Carmel, told the City of Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee on July 22 that three local priorities — improving the PATH/trail network, adding public transit and legalizing more housing choices — would help the city meet goals in its Climate Action Plan.
"Improving our PATH network, adding public transit, and legalizing more housing choices," Cole said, summarizing the group’s recommendations.
Cole said transportation accounted for about 40% of Carmel’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, citing the Climate Action Plan, and argued that short trips now taken by car could shift to walking, biking or transit if alternatives are made safe, efficient and low‑stress. He described the Autumn Greenway, a trail included in last year’s bond program, as a near‑term connector that would link Old Meridian, Midtown and the PATH network to the Monon Trail.
The group has discussed the Autumn Greenway corridor with city parks staff and volunteers have sketched possible connections along Autumn Drive and across Guilford to the Providence complex to create a continuous path to Third Street and the Monon, Cole said. He added that the idea grew from a resident project rather than a formal study: "we haven't done any studies," Cole said, noting Matthew Snyder and local parks staff had reviewed the concept.
Cole said Strong Towns Carmel supports small, incremental housing types — backyard cottages, duplexes and small starter homes — as "gentle density" that can add housing choices near downtown without major demolition of existing neighborhoods.
Committee members asked that neighbors along the proposed Autumn Greenway remain engaged. "We want to make sure that they are included," said a committee member, urging continued outreach to adjacent neighborhoods as the city refines the corridor.
No formal action was taken at the meeting on the group’s recommendations; the presentation was received as public comment and staff and committee members discussed possible coordination.
Why it matters: committee members noted transportation is the largest local source of emissions in the 2018 inventory and that building safe, connected walking and biking routes, paired with transit and more nearby housing, could reduce short car trips. The Autumn Greenway is already listed in a city bond program and is in preliminary stages, according to Cole.
What’s next: Cole invited committee members and residents to Strong Towns Carmel’s monthly meetings and directed listeners to strongtownscarmel.org for more information. Committee members said they would continue conversations with parks staff and other departments on neighborhood engagement and project feasibility.
