HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 09-23-246 of 14
CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
DEPARTMENT REPORT
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
(V) Tru Hotel Sign Variance.
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval:
7. Docket No. PZ-2024-00141 V UDO Section 5.39 (F)(5)(d)(iii) Projecting and Blade signs: Shall
not extend more than five (5) feet from the face of the Building; ten (10) feet requested.
The 1.13-acre site is located at 12164 N. Meridian Street, immediately north of the Ritz Charles. It is zoned
MC/Meridian Corridor and is not within any overlay district. Filed by John Hafner of Cities Edge Architects on
behalf of the owner, Dora Hotel Group.
General Info:
• The Petitioner seeks approval for a new blade sign.
• Variance is requested for the blade sign depth off the wall.
• The site is located in Medical Arts Pavilion subdivision; there is no OA (Owner’s Association).
• It is directly north of the Ritz Charles, zoned MC/Meridian Corridor. North of the hotel site is the Carmel
Medical Arts Pavilion. West across Illinois Street is the Spring Lake Estates neighborhood zoned S -
2/Residential.
• Related Plan Commission project is Docket No. PZ-2024-00070 ADLS: Tru Hotel Carmel, approved in June.
• The pending sign permit is S-2024-00227.
• Please see the Petitioner’s info packet for more detail on the variance request .
Variance Requested:
Blade Sign Depth -
• The UDO requires that Projecting and Blade signs shall not extend more than five (5) feet from the face of
the Building; ten (10) feet is requested. This is a variance of 5 feet.
• Site Signage Details:
o A projecting artistic sculpture will be added to the east side of the building for the purpose of hanging wall signs.
o This sculpture will act like a “blade” sign facing east towards US 31.
o The signs will each be 52 sq. ft. The entire Tru circle logo will light up yellow and blue. “By Hilton” will light up
white.
o These wall signs meet the 85% width requirement at 66.3% and the 70% height requirement at 19%.
o A variance is needed to exceed the 5’ projection/width requirement for a blade sign. Even though this is not a
traditional blade sign, Planning Staff is classifying it as one.
o While the size at 10’ wide is proportionate to the building, it still exceeds the 5’ projection allowed.
o The Tru Hotel name will also be added to the Carmel Medical Arts entry/directory ground signs.
o No other signage is proposed.
• The building is oriented west/east, fronting onto Meridian Street.
• The building design was significantly revised, prior to Plan Commission Approval.
• Substantial landscaping will exist, to comply with the Commercial Landscape regulations.
Remaining Review Comments:
• All Planning/Zoning review comments have been addressed.
Final Comments:
• The Planning Dept. supports the variance request; the sign will be sized appropriately to fit the building
design and not appear too large or too small. Staff is also supportive of the variance required, as it is a unique
element for this building and for Carmel.
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, and
with adoption of the Findings of Fact submitted by the Petitioner.