The Carmel City Council on June 17 approved the rezoning of seven parcels on the southeast corner of Range Line Road and City Center Drive, a block that includes the Mohawk Landing retail center, White’s Ace Hardware and two homes on Pawnee Drive.
The parcels are bordered by City Center Drive to the north, Range Line Road to the west, Winona Drive to the south and Pawnee Drive to the east. The city purchased the retail center in 2017 for $2.8 million in part to make way for a roundabout at the intersection.
Carmel Planning Administrator Adrienne Keeling said the city has received several questions about what the rezoning means for the future of Ace Hardware.
“This is not a proposal by Ace Hardware, however it’s not a proposal in order for the city to move or force Ace out of Carmel,” she said. “There is no specific site or building plans to look at at this time.”
At the council meeting, Councilor Tony Green read a statement from Steve White, president of White’s Ace Hardware.
“White’s Ace Hardware is committed to maintaining its store in the thriving downtown Carmel area,” the statement read. “The proposed rezoning of our property does not harm our business at its current location. It simply provides additional options should our property be redeveloped in the future.”
White stated that he has had discussions with a local developer about relocating the store elsewhere on the Range Line Road corridor but that he may also make improvements at the current site.
The new C2 zoning allows the CRC to review proposed projects and ensure unified development across the seven parcels.
C2 zoning allows for a maximum building height of 35 feet, the same building heights allowed in the neighboring residential area.
