HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 07-24-233 of 14
CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
DEPARTMENT REPORT
MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023
(V) Dovetail - Koehler Sign Variance at Village of WestClay.
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval:
4. Docket No. PZ-2023-00152 V VOWC PUD Ordinance Section 18.3(E) Projecting Sign
limited to one sign for each ground floor business establishment; Sign for upper floor businesses
requested. The site is zoned Village of WestClay PUD/Planned Unit Development. It is located at 12805
E. New Market St. (Village of WestClay subdivision, Section 3004, Block D part). Filed by Elizabeth
Stewart of Dovetail Group, on behalf of Dovetail Group and Koehler Law LLC.
General Info:
• The Petitioner seeks approval for a Projecting Sign (Blade Sign) for upper floor businesses/tenants.
• The site is located in the Village Center Area (Primary Area).
• Surrounding this site are retail/office buildings, a parking lot, and the meeting house.
• Village of WestClay Owners’ Association approval has been granted.
• The tenants also have approval from the landowner.
• Please see the Petitioner’s info packet for more detail on the variance request.
Variance Requested:
Projecting Sign for upper business -
• The Village of WestClay PUD Ordinance states that a Projecting Sign limited to one sign for each ground
floor business establishment. And a Projecting Sign for upper floor businesses is requested.
• The blade sign will be located within a courtyard area between two buildings.
• The non-lit blade sign will be 6.25 sq. ft. in. area and will be located 8-ft above the ground.
• The sign design will be a black background with white text/logo.
• The one sign will list two upper floor business names on it.
Remaining Review Comments:
• The Petitioner addressed all planning/zoning review comments.
Final Comments:
• Planning Staff can be supportive of a sign variance for the blade/projecting sign, if the existing wall directory
sign is moved to the inside of the building, into the 1st floor lobby area (or similar).
• The sign will be located off the main sidewalk corridor but will help to identify businesses on the upper
floors, whose front door is located off the courtyard area. It will act like a kind of wayfinding sign.
Findings of Fact:
• Please refer to the Petitioner’s Findings of Facts included in their BZA Info Packet.
Recommendation:
• The Dept. of Community Services (DOCS) recommends positive consideration of this variance request with
the Condition of the Petitioner moving the existing wall directory sign to the inside of the building, into the
1st floor lobby area (or similar), and with adoption of the Findings of Fact submitted by the Petitioner.