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THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC.
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE FROM
DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS
Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals
July 22, 1996 Hearing Date
THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, INC.
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE FROM
DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS
I. Table of Contents
• 1. Explanation of Application.
2. Exhibits
A. Aerial Photograph depicting Real Estate.
B. Dimensioned Drawing of Satellite Dish
C. Photograph of Satellite.
D. Landscape Drawing
THOMSON CONSUMER SATELLITE DISH VARIANCE
EXPLANATION OF APPLICATION
One of Thomson Consumer Electronic, Inc.'s ("Thomson") recent innovations is the
Galaxy Latin America System ("GLA"). GLA consists of a small satellite dish which, after being
tested at Thomson's Carmel center for research and development, will be distributed and
marketed in Latin America countries. Essentially, the GLA system will be the Latin America
counterpart of the U.S. Digital Satellite System, which has remarkable success in bring
entertainment enjoyment to millions of Americans. In order to develop, test and perfect the GLA
system, Thomson must permanently install and utilize a larger satellite dish at the Carmel center
for research and development.
In order to obtain the requisite approvals for the permanent installation of the larger
satellite dish, Thomson filed (i) an application with the Plan Commission for ADLS approval and
(ii) an application with the Board of Zoning Appeals for a developmental standards variance.
On the 18th day of June, 1996, the Plan Commission suspended its rules and unanimously
granted ADLS approval. The hearing on the request for the developmental standards variance
is scheduled to occur before you on the 22nd day of July, 1996.
Thomson's corporate campus is located at 10330 North Meridian Street. It contains two
buildings, consisting of the administrative building and the technical center building. These
buildings are depicted on the aerial photograph included as Exhibit "A". As also indicated on
the aerial photograph, the satellite dish is located along the eastern facia of the technical center
building.
For the following reasons, the permanent installation of the satellite dish requires a
variance from the satellite ordinance ("Ordinance"):
1. Height - Included as Exhibit "B" is a dimensioned drawing ("Drawing") of the
satellite dish. The chart, on the lower part of the drawing, indicates specified
heights as a function of the elevation angle of the satellite dish. As you can see,
the height of the dish may vary from nineteen (19) feet to twenty-four (24) feet,
depending upon the elevation angle. Because the height of the satellite dish
required in order to test and develop the GLA system is larger than the maximum
thirteen (13) feet permitted by the Ordinance, a variance from the height limitation
is requested.
2. Rear Yard - The Ordinance requires that satellite dishes be located in a "rear
yard". The technical center, in the corner of which the subject satellite dish will
be placed, is surrounded by Thomson's internal streets and parking lots and,
therefore, arguably has four front yards. In order to be cautious, therefore,
Thomson also requests a variance from the requirement of the Zoning Ordinance
that the satellite dish be located in the "rear yard".
3. "80% Obscuring" - The Ordinance requires that satellite dishes be screened from
the view of adjacent property owners and public right-of-ways by screening
devices which shall be at least "80% obscuring". For reasons which are apparent,
the face of a dish cannot be both obscured and still clearly receive a signal.
While the satellite dish is substantially obscured from adjacent property owners
and public right-of-ways, it is difficult to say whether the landscaping is more than
80% obscuring and, therefore, to be cautious, a variance is also requested from the
provision of the Ordinance requiring that the landscaping be "at least 80%
obscuring".
A photograph of the satellite dish is included as Exhibit "C" ("Photograph"). Also
included as Exhibit "D" ("Drawing") is a rendering of the satellite dish within the context of its
landscaped area. The Drawing provides for the installation of additional trees and landscaping
which are not shown in the Photograph. As you can see from reviewing the Photograph and the
Drawing, the satellite dish generally cannot be seen from views other than that of a person
positioned directly in front of the satellite dish, facing due north. In this regard, the front of the
satellite dish must remain unobstructed, so that the receipt of the satellite signal remains clear.
For these reasons, Thomson is requesting approval of its satellite dish. We look forward
to presenting the application to you on July 22, 1996.
Respectfully submitted,
Very truly yours,
NELSON & FRANKENBERGER
C`h Frankenberger
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