HAND proceeding with plans for Home Place

Construction is expected to begin this summer on Home Place Gardens, a 10-unit affordable housing community HAND plans to build along 106th Street in Home Place.

The Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-1 on Feb. 27 to approve a zoning variance for the project. Next, the Technical Advisory Committee will review the development proposal.

Plans call for building a total of six structures on 2.4 acres east of College Avenue: four 1- and 2-bedroom duplexes for seniors and two detached 3-bedroom homes for clients referred by Prevail Inc. of Hamilton County.

The zoning variance allows HAND to erect all of the buildings on a single parcel, rather than platting six separate lots. With 4.2 residential units per acre, Home Place Gardens meets the density requirements of the existing R-3 zoning; the ordinance allows as many as 5 units per acre.

Next month, HAND will submit its development plan to Carmel’s Technical Advisory Committee. TAC members, who represent utilities and various municipal agencies, identify any issues that must be addressed.

HAND already has agreed to tweak some details of the $2.3 million-plus project after receiving feedback from neighbors during public meetings held in November and January. Trash will be collected from residential toters, for example, rather than a commercial dumpster. The organization also is working to improve the look of the two duplexes that will face 106th Street.

Construction will begin after TAC approval, likely by mid-summer. The project does not require Plan Commission review, according to Carmel’s Department of Community Services.

Founded in 2003, HAND addresses the housing needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The organization owns six properties in Hamilton County, providing a total of 96 rental units. Most are restricted to residents ages 55 and older.