HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 02-24-25
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CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS REGULAR MEETING
DEPARTMENT REPORT
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025
(V) Tom Wood Powersports Sign Variance.
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval for additional signage:
4. Docket No. PZ-2024-00224 V UDO Section 5.39(H)(2)(a) 2 signs allowed (2 existing wall signs), 5
requested (4 wall signs, 1 ground sign total). The site is located at 3006 E. 96th St. and is zoned B3/Business. Filed
by Kyle VanDeman of Riley Sign Shop on behalf of Wood Lexus R E LLC, owners.
General Info:
• The Petitioner seeks variance approval for 5 total signs, when only 2 are allowed.
• The east-facing wall sign for this building was approved through Docket No. 11060015 ADLS Amend.
• The site is not located in any subdivision.
• The site has frontage on one public street – 96th Street. (Day Drive to the west is a private drive/street.) And, Keystone
Pkwy is one parcel away to the east.
• The building is located approximately 170 feet back from the 96th Street right of way.
• Surrounding this site are office/commercial uses.
• Please see the Petitioner’s info packet for more details on the variance request.
Variance Requested:
Number of Signs -
• There are 2 existing wall signs approved. Now, 5 total signs are requested: 4 wall signs and 1 ground sign.
• Proposed Sign Locations:
o 1 ground sign will be right at the driveway entrance along 96th Street.
o 3 wall signs to face south towards 96th St., and 1 wall sign to face east towards Keystone.
• Proposed Sign Sizes:
o Ground sign will be 6-ft tall, and around 30 sq ft in area overall, with an 18.95 sq. ft. sign panel.
o The east facing Honda (with wing logo) wall sign will be 68.45 sq ft in size.
o The south facing Honda (with wing logo) wall sign will be 48.3 sq ft in size.
o The south facing Tom Wood wall sign will be 18.88 sq ft in size. (16” x 169.93”)
o The south facing Service wall sign will be 15.14 sq ft in size. (16” x 136.25”)
• Proposed Sign Designs:
o The wall signs will read as Tom Wood, Service, and Honda (with a wing logo). They will be flush mount red
letters.
o The ground sign will read Honda (with wing logo) and Powerhouse, with an aluminum silver/gray panel and
routed out red letters and logo (where the panel will be opaque, and the letters and logo will shine red at night).
(Currently, the ground sign does not meet the UDO design requirements. For example, no masonry base or
delineated cornice, and, no landscape plan for the sign base.)
• The Petitioner lists reasons for wanting so many signs; again, please review the BZA Info Packet.
Final Comments:
• The Petitioner has not been willing to compromise on the sign designs or number of signs. (For example, if the
‘Service’ wall sign could be reduced to 3 sq. ft., then it would be considered an Exempt/incidental sign.)
• Planning Staff is not supportive of this variance request. The two existing wall signs adequately identify the
company’s name/location to the public and to their patrons.
• There is no practical difficulty or hardship with complying with the Sign Ordinance regulations.
• If the Petitioner chooses, they can install Traffic Directional Signs on the site at the driveway entrances from the
streets. These Exempt Signs can be up to 3 feet tall and 3 sq. ft. in area. That is additional ‘free’ signage.
Findings of Fact:
• The BZA attorney will write up the negative Findings of Fact.
Recommendation:
• The Dept. of Community Services (DOCS) recommends negative consideration of the variance request, with adoption
of the Findings of Facts to be written up and submitted by the BZA attorney.