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Hunters Glen condo association proposes vinyl fence to replace failing brick wall; commission asks for alternatives and forwards item to Aug. 4 meeting
Summary
Hunters Glen Condo Association asked to replace a failing brick perimeter wall with a 6‑foot vinyl fence, citing replacement quotes of about $131,000–$198,000; commissioners expressed concern about vinyl along East Carmel Drive, encouraged alternative materials and landscaping, and forwarded the item for further consideration on Aug. 4.
Hunters Glen Condo Association’s request to replace a deteriorating brick perimeter wall with a tan 6‑foot vinyl privacy fence drew pushback from Carmel Plan Commission members on July 27, who asked the association to explore alternatives (precast panels, wrought iron with landscape buffers, matching brick columns) and agreed to hear the item again at the next committee meeting on Aug. 4.
Larry Schultz, representing the Hunters Glen Condo Association and identifying himself as the association’s vice president, told the committee the brick wall is “falling apart,” with the face brick chipping and sections leaning; he said two contractor quotes to replace the wall with new brick were roughly $131,000 and $198,000 and were beyond the association’s budget. Schultz said vinyl was proposed because it fit within the budget and that existing wrought‑iron sections would remain. Staff recommended considering repairs, matching brick, wrought iron or adding brick columns between vinyl segments, and noted the Historic Preservation Commission may offer a grant to help cover brick repair costs.
Resident Bruce Shire, representing Hunters Glen neighbors, described the wall’s condition and said temporary repairs likely would fail within two to five years. Commissioners questioned whether city infrastructure work nearby (a planned roundabout) would affect the wall; staff and residents said only a small corner of the property would be impacted. Several commissioners said they were hesitant to approve a long stretch of vinyl along an important corridor and encouraged the petitioner to investigate precast simulated‑brick panels, reuse of existing footings, landscape buffers (e.g., evergreen shrubs), or mixed materials to preserve privacy and street character.
A motion to table the item and allow the petitioner time to explore alternatives was proposed but later withdrawn; the committee agreed to forward the matter to the next committee meeting (Aug. 4) for further consideration and staff agreed to connect the petitioner with Historic Preservation resources. No final approval was given on July 27.
