Residents urge halt to Autumn Greenway route; city says survey, public meetings forthcoming
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Summary
Multiple Carmel residents told the City Council they oppose a proposed Autumn Greenway path through a wooded pocket east of Guilford, citing tree loss, wetlands, utility conflicts and lack of neighborhood notice; Parks staff said the work to date was a feasibility survey and promised more outreach.
Several Carmel residents urged the City Council on public comment to halt or rethink a proposed segment of the Autumn Greenway that would cut through a wooded area east of Guilford Avenue.
The comments came from neighbors who said survey stakes appeared in their yards without prior notice and that the proposed path would harm old-growth trees and wildlife and require expensive work around wetlands and utilities.
The council heard multiple speakers describe local conditions and process concerns. "I think this would be an unnecessary expense," said Barbara West, a resident who opposed routing the greenway from 120 Sixth Street through her neighborhood. Scott McLaughlin said he was "opposed to the Autumn Greenway," and said the new route shortens the trip by about 0.3 miles but risks removing rare wooded areas. Mark Stevens, who lives behind the proposed corridor, told the council the stand of trees is "about 190 feet wide" at its widest point and said cutting a paved path would likely remove a large share of those trees. Chad Trento, whose Wilson's Village backyard would be affected, said he was "extremely disappointed" at the lack of neighborhood communication.
City staff and councilors responded that the markings observed on properties were part of a feasibility study, not construction. Michael Klitzing, director of Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation, told council members he believed the survey may have been completed and that the city would receive and review the data this week. A councilor apologized for a notification error, saying letters to adjacent owners were not mailed and promising a neighborhood meeting once staff have the survey results.
Council members and staff repeatedly framed the work as preliminary. The city said the Autumn Greenway concept originated from a citizen-led proposal and that bond funds have been earmarked to consider it; that does not mean construction is approved. Councilors said alternative routing and additional feasibility options are being evaluated and that further public meetings will be scheduled.
No ordinance or final council action was taken at the meeting; the discussion remained in the feasibility and outreach phase.
Less-critical details: speakers requested environmental and sight-line studies because a natural-gas utility easement and a 4-by-4-by-4 electric box are in the proposed alignment, and neighbors flagged nearby wetlands that they said would add cost and complexity.
The council did not set a date for a neighborhood meeting but committed to follow up after staff have validated the survey data.
