The Chamber serves as the voice of the Carmel business community and is committed to defining and advocating legislative issues of importance on behalf of our members. Through its Business Issues Committee, made up of representatives from member businesses, the Chamber develops and adopts an annual policy agenda that recommends action on issues that impact businesses. In addition, the Committee reviews issues brought forward by our members, monitors the progress of the agenda and keeps members informed throughout the process.

Our goals are to create a vibrant environment in which businesses can thrive and to enhance the quality of life for the entire community. We encourage our members to become familiar with our business issues policy agenda and engage in our efforts to keep our business community competitive.


2010 Carmel Chamber Business Issues Agenda Items

The Chamber supports:

Efficient Transportation and Public Transit

• The completion of US 31 in Hamilton County
  
  • As soon as possible.
  • With design elements that will favor good business mobility, maintain the attractiveness of the corridor to businesses who have already made a commitment and those who may in the future.
  • It’s essential that the city’s investment in the US 31 corridor be maintained and enhanced through context-sensitive design and attention to East-West connectivity
• Long-range Transit Planning and a Regional Transit Plan
  • Businesses planning expansions/acquisitions/moves need the knowledge that land will not be acquired in the future for roads or transit.
  • Long-range planning minimizes land-acquisition costs.
  • Future regional transit is a strong economic development tool.
  • Working as a region makes the best economic sense.
    Other issues in this area that we will be looking at but have not made decisions on at this time include the renovation of the 96th and Keystone interchange, and the completion of Illinois Street South of 116th to 106th Street

• Revision of the Current Sign Ordinance
  • The chamber supports the revision of the current sign ordinance to streamline most sign approvals, provide a user-friendly document for businesses wishing to obtain a sign and minimize time spent at the committee level on routine sign requests.
• Obtaining a sign for a business should be possible, in most cases, without hiring professional assistance. Consistent, clear directions and examples should be available on-line. Sign criteria should be as objective as possible and avoid vague terminology and subjective requirements.
• The development of Clear Development Standards
  • The Chamber supports the development of and reliance upon building and development standards that provide directions that are as specific as possible.
    The development of specific standards minimizes the opportunities for inconsistency and subjectivity, both for applicants and approval bodies. Obtaining City approval for a new business should be possible without a protracted approval process. A consistent process and clear directions should be easy to find on-line. The development criteria should be as objective as possible and avoid vague terminology and subjective requirements.
    
• High Performing Schools
  • The chamber supports the Carmel Clay School Board’s referendum request for $12 million. Adequate funding is essential to ensure the continuing excellence of Carmel Clay Schools, which serve as a major economic development tool in our community.
• The on-line posting of all ordinances a week prior to the meetings when those ordinances will be addressed.
  • Businesses and citizens should be able to easily inform themselves of the details of upcoming ordinances prior to meetings. Links to ordinances should be available on the city’s website early enough to provide those interested with the time to educate themselves on proposed issues potentially affecting their businesses.
    Other issues in this area with remaining discussion include Smart Code zoning, water protection issues, township government and other Kernan/Sheperd recommendations, and upcoming city council redistricting.