HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report COM 02-04-201
Carmel Plan Commission
COMMERCIAL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Department Report
1. Docket No. 19090004 ADLS Amend: John Kirk Furniture - Sign Package
The applicant seeks approval for a new sign package for a Multi-Tenant Ground Floor Building. The
proposal includes wall signs. The site is located at 12345 Old Meridian St. It is zoned UC/Urban Core &
UR/Urban Residential and is not located in an overlay zone. Filed by James Wheeler of Coots, Henke &
Wheeler, on behalf of the owner.
The Petitioner seeks approval to install a new sign on the John Kirk building. The proposed Ovation sign is a channel
letter, internally illuminated sign mounted via an orange raceway structure.
Site History:
The John Kirk building was original constructed in 1969 and over the years various additions have been built. Previously,
signage approval was piecemealed together for the site and a single guiding document for signage was never in place.
Currently, two Wall signs (Floor Crafters and Royal Gallery of Rugs), one Ground sign, and one of the last remaining
large pylon signs left in Carmel exist on the site.
Previous Variances Granted:
Two variances exist allowing both the Floor Crafters and Royal Gallery of Rugs signs to not face a Street Frontage
(07110022 V & 19080007 V respectively).
Architectural Design:
The building is reminiscent of traditional late 1960’s architecture. There is not a traditional fascia for sign placement
meaning signage facing Old Meridian must be installed on the shingled, curved, mansard roof.
Signage:
One sign per tenant space is permitted by the UDO for a Multi-Tenant Ground Floor Building. The petitioner is proposing
to install an internally illuminated channel letter sign mounted on a raceway structure. The proposed sign is 79.38 sq. ft.
and utilizes 53% of the Spandrel Panel height and 56% of the Spandrel Panel width. Up to 70% of the height and 85% of
the width is allowed. Because of the roof curvature it is difficult to install a channel letter sign flush to the building.
Therefore, Staff is comfortable with utilization of a raceway structure, even though it differs from the existing Wall signs
on the building. Both are flush mounted, internally illuminated, channel letter signs. However, Staff has concern with
the orange color of the raceway structure. It is Staff’s policy for sign structures to blend or match materials and colors
with their respective buildings. This includes raceway structures and Ground sign bases for example.
DOCS Remaining Comments/Concerns:
Staff works to make architecture the focal point of a building. This includes removal of exposed light sources, reduction
of additional signage, movement away from franchise architecture, and blending of materials and colors used on
accessory structures and signage. Inclusion of the orange raceway structure is a step away from blending a raceway
structure to the building façade, which historically has been a policy of the Department. Staff has suggested to the
petitioner to utilize orange on other parts of the sign, such as the sign faces or trim caps, achieving the Petitioner’s
goal to use orange, as well as removing orange from the raceway structure.
Additionally, raceway structures on roofs or curved facades have utilized a triangular support structure to support a
raceway structure. Examples can be viewed on the next page. Staff requests the proposed raceway structure is also
reduced in size so it is less prominent and does not extend past the sign copy.
Recommendation:
The Department of Community Services recommends the Commercial Committee votes to Deny this item this evening
2
Big Red Liquors sign and support structure cross-section view (2290 E. 116th St.)
BMO Harris Bank sign (270 Merchants Square Dr.)