Townhouse project proposed along Monon Greenway

Lennar Homes of Indiana is proposing 72 new townhouses along the Monon Greenway in Carmel, but first, the builder will need to receive a slate of approvals from the city.

The builder has filed plans to build the homes on about 6.8 acres of largely undeveloped land just east of Rohrer Road and northwest of U.S. 31, known locally as Meridian Street. The site is surrounded by other neighborhoods. To the north is a power transformer.

As proposed, the 72 townhouses would be divided among 10 three-story buildings, each having between six and seven units. Garages would be built at the back, with a balcony off the second floor, rendering shows.

They would be built on two parcels owned by South Construction Co. and two parcels owned by Stewart Anderson LLC.

The land is zoned R-1, which calls for low-density, single-family residential development. Lennar has requested the site be rezoned to urban residential, which allows for higher-density single- and multifamily developments within walking distance of commercial nodes like Old Town, Midtown and City Center.

In documents submitted to the city, Lennar says Monon Crossing, the name of the proposed neighborhood, would complement surrounding neighborhoods and the Meridian corridor to the south. It would also provide a transition between the existing subdivision to the south and the power transformer to the north.

“The proposed Monon Crossing subdivision will have attractive and desired homes increasing the diversity of housing options within the region,” Lennar wrote. Documents don’t indicate how much the townhouses would sell for, and Lennar representatives could not be reached for comment.

The residences would be attractive to young professionals seeking housing near the Meridian corridor employment node and to families and empty-nesters who want to be near the Monon Trail, Lennar says.

In addition to rezoning, Lennar is seeking development plan approval; architectural design, lighting, landscaping and signage approval; and a variance approval that deals with building setbacks.

The project is slated to be heard at the June 19 meeting of the Carmel Plan Commission's technical advisory committee. A public hearing before the plan commission is scheduled for July 16.