Carmel approves more funds to quiet chiller, increases park impact fee by 64 percent

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The Carmel City Council met Nov. 18 for a four-hour meeting that included transferring funds for a project to quiet a loud chiller, increasing the park impact fee, approval of waterworks bonds and discussion of residential developments.

What happened: The council approved transferring $275,000 from the general fund to the 2019 building operations budget.

What it means: The funds will go toward a $374,000 project to reduce noise generated by a $238,000 chiller installed in 2017 near the Mezz 42 apartments used to cool nearby buildings and The Ice at Center Green. Residents have complained about the noise since its installation, and in May 2018 the Carmel Redevelopment Commission spent approximately $30,000 to install a wrap to reduce noise, which worked to some extent.

What’s next: Carmel Director of Administration Jim Crider told the council that this solution should solve the noise problem.

 

What happened: The council approved setting the park impact fee at $4,882 through 2025.

What it means: The impact fee is collected for each new dwelling unit built in Carmel to fund park expansions and improvements directly related to increasing capacity to serve a growing population. The 64 percent increase will set Carmel’s fee as the highest in the Indianapolis area. City leaders pointed out that Carmel does not charge a road impact fee, as many other cities do, although its park impact fee is higher than the combined fees for Zionsville, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield.

What’s next: The new fee will go into effect June 1, 2020.

 

What happened: The council approved issuing $17 million in waterworks revenue bonds.

What it means: The bonds will fund installation of water lines to serve Home Place ($6.4 million) and residents on the west side of town ($3.1 million), solar panels ($1.8 million) and the purchase of the second floor of the Lurie Building ($1.5 million) for the Carmel Utilities office.

What’s next: The bonds will be repaid through revenue generated by the utility.

 

What happened: The council approved the rezoning of 23 acres on 141st Street west of Shelborne Road from S-1 to S-2 residential.

What it means: The rezone allows for increased density for the 39-home Troy Estates neighborhood development by Lennar Homes. The homes are expected to sell for $450,000 to $600,000.

 

What happened: The council discussed a proposal for 60 townhomes on 6.8 acres on the east side of Rohrer Road along the Monon Trail.

What it means: Attorney Jim Shinaver, representing developer Lennar Homes, said several changes have been made since the project was first proposed, including reducing the number of units from 64 to 60 and increasing the setback from Rohrer Road. The townhomes are expected to sell for $275,000 to $350,000.

What’s next: The council’s Land Use and Special Studies Committee will review the proposal. A meeting date has not been announced as of press time.


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