Carmel Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 12, 2026
Carmel Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 12, 2026
The Carmel Historic Preservation Commission met on March 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Members present included Fred Swift, Nick Kessner, Emily Ergott, Barry Simich, Matt Uber, Mark, and Alex. The meeting addressed a demolition delay request, budget updates, scheduling changes, preservation planning, and other business.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 12, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public provided testimony.
Discussion Items
- Financial Report: Alex reported a current budget of $42,018.99 and a non-reverting fund balance of $233,434.64. These figures are subject to change pending finalization of a previous project. Alex also noted that an invoice for commission services had not yet been submitted.
- Demolition Delay – 1013 Almond Drive West: Patrick Chittenden, the applicant, presented a request to demolish the existing structure. The property is identified as individually significant in the city's survey, but the surrounding Almond Drive neighborhood was not designated as a historic district due to extensive demolition and deterioration (approximately 50% of homes had been demolished). The demolition delay hold (submitted January 20, 2026) expires March 20, 2026. Chittenden stated he plans to build a roughly 3,000-square-foot, two-story home similar in style to recent infill construction in the area, though no specific plans or renderings were provided. He indicated the property is deteriorating and that he intends to move forward promptly. Commissioners expressed concern about vacant lots if building does not occur, but ultimately staff recommended allowing demolition. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation passed unanimously.
- Meeting Date Change: The commission will begin meeting on the fourth Monday of each month starting in April 2026, in the caucus room. Due to Memorial Day, the May 2026 meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26 (the day after the holiday). Recording equipment in the caucus room will be tested.
- New Survey Properties: Alex reported that a resolution to add newly surveyed properties to the official inventory is being drafted with the city attorney. Approximately 500 mailings have been sent for the facade grant program.
- Rangeline Road Preservation Plan: Staff are continuing historical research and reviewing a draft plan. A key discussion focused on coordinating with existing overlay requirements to streamline the review process for property owners. Commissioner Emily Ergott noted that some exceptions to overlay rules have allowed inappropriate alterations. Staff will meet with city officials to propose a unified design review process.
- Other Business: Mark received a call about the Blue School (historic structure), but the caller did not leave a name; a voicemail was returned with no answer. Discussion ensued about the school's potential relocation to Hazeldell Landing Park, which is being considered by the parks department. This is not yet confirmed. Additionally, Matt Uber raised questions about the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process for his own designated property at 13725 Grisham Drive. He plans to submit a COA for exterior changes (railing, garage) at a future meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes: Approved as written.
- Demolition Approval: Motion passed to allow demolition of 1013 Almond Drive West.
- Meeting Schedule: Changed to fourth Monday of the month starting April 27, with a special Tuesday meeting on May 26. Venue shifted to the caucus room.
- New Survey Properties: Resolution to be drafted and brought before the city council for adoption.
- Rangeline Road Plan: Ongoing work; staff to coordinate with city attorney and land use committee to simplify the review process.
- Blue School: No new action; staff will follow up on the call.
- COA Process: Matt Uber to bring a COA application for his property at the next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Yep, yeah. All right, Mark, let's get started at six o'clock. And our roll call, we have Fred Swift, Nick Kessner, Emily Ergott, Barry Simich, Matt Uber, and well Fred. Oh, Fred, you're the first one. I already said you. And then Mark and Alex are in attendance. Um approval of minutes from the February 12th meeting. Would anybody any comments on that or anybody see any? I move that we accept the minutes has written. Second. Okay, and um in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. All right. Um then let's move. Did you want to move up the almond drive up to here? I would say let's go through like the basics. Yep. Okay. Okay. Certificate of appropriateness review. Anything? None? Okay. Report on staff approvals. None of those. None. Nope. Financial report, Alex. Um, yes. So the uh most up to date numbers are the budget is 42,018 and 99 cents. With a non-reverting fund of 233,434 and 64 cents. Oh, these numbers are subject to change because um I just saw um Matt's final project for the last year's spring round. So try to think how do you know if I'm sure you you would have no better. What was your amount you'd be approved for? Okay. So that would obviously take a chunk out of the numbers I just said. But those are the numbers as of tonight. Okay. Um I'll just also add real quick. We still this is on me, still have not filed an invoice yet for our services. Um I should have I should have done that by now and I haven't. So we're still here tonight as a freebie. Okay. That sounds good. Well, we'll get that figured out. And I think did we have any other communication from them about trying to make sure if there's any other things that we could do to make sure that our money is uh the yeah. I mean, it's just sort of it is what it is.
openpublica.com