HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 05-21-07
CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
DEPARTMENT REPORT
May 21,2007
5-13h. Merchants' Square - Signage
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval:
Docket No. 07020030 V Section 25.07.02-09.b number of monument signs
Docket No. 07020031 V Section 25.07.02-09.b all tenants not on sign
Docket No. 07020032 V Section 25.07 Sign Chart A sign height
Docket No. 07020033 V Section 25.07 Sign Chart A square feet of monument sign
Docket No. 07020034 V Section 25.07.02-11.b number of directory signs
Docket No. 07020035 V Section 25.07.01.04 off-premise sign
Docket No. 07020036 V Section 25.07.01.04 off-premise sign
Docket No. 07020037 V Section 25.07 Sign Chart A setback
Docket No. 07020038 V Section 25.07 Sign Chart A setback
The site is located at 2160 Keystone Way and is zoned B-8/Business.
Filed by Amanda Gate of Sign Craft Industries.
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traveled corridor.
General Info:
The developer seeks multiple variance for center
identification monument signs and directional
signs for the entire Merchants' Square
development. Please refer to the info packet for
additional detail on each variance request. This
item was tabled at the April 23 hearing.
Analysis:
These multiple variance requests are being made in
the hopes of updating signage in the shopping
center site. However, two proposed signs will be
off-premise and within the road right of way.
Currently, there is an off-premise sign that is not
very tall, and fits into its context by not being too
tall or large in square footage.
The directional signs will be 4.33 feet tall and the
monument signs will be 7.98 feet tall. The
petitioner is seeking to add tenant panels to the
shopping center identification signs. Currently,
there are shopping center ID signs that do not need
to be changed. There is also a 39-[00t 7-inch tall
multi-tenant pylon sign with an electronic reader
board along Keystone A ve/SR 431, a highly
Findings of Fact: number of monument signs
1.) The approval of this variance will be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and
general welfare of the community because: The site currently has many shopping center ID
signs, including the very tall sign along Keystone Ave., with the electronic reader board.
2.) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will be
affected in a substantially adverse manner because: The site currently has many shopping
center ID signs, including the very tall sign along Keystone Ave., with the electronic reader board.
3.) The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will not result in
practical difficulties in the use of the property because: The site currently has many shopping
center ID signs, including the very tall sign along Keystone Ave., with the electronic reader board.
Findings of Fact: size & height of monument signs
1.) The approval of this variance will be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and
general welfare of the community because: the signs will be very tall in height and large in
square footage. The location of this shopping center along US 431 does not warrant sizes of this
size and height.
2.) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will be
affected in a substantially adverse manner because: the signs will be very tall in height and
large in square footage. The location of this shopping center along US 431 does not warrant sizes
of this size and height.
3.) The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will not result in
practical difficulties in the use of the property because: the signs can be made to the
requirements set forth in the Sign Ordinance and will be just as readable.
Findings of Fact: not all tenants represented on the sign
1.) The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and
general welfare of the community because: the petitioner owner will decide which tenants get
represented on the monument sign. This is a deal to be worked out with the petitioner and each
tenant. The less tenants on the sign, the greater each tenant panel can be, allowing for better
readability within the parameters set by the Sign Ordinance.
2.) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be
affected in a substantially adverse manner because: the petitioner owner will decide which
tenants get represented on the monument sign. This is a deal to be worked out with the petitioner
and each tenant. The less tenants on the sign, the greater each tenant panel can be, allowing for
better readability within the parameters set by the Sign Ordinance.
3.) The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will result in
practical difficulties in the use of the property because: all tenant of this larger shopping center
will have to be represented on a monument sign of a certain square footage, possibly negatively
affecting the readability of all tenant panels on the monument sign.
Findings of Fact: number of directory signs I
1.) The approval of this variance will not be injuripus to the public health, safety, morals, and
general welfare of the community because: the directional signs within the site will help patrons
of the site navigate more easily within the developrrient.
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2.) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be
affected in a substantially adverse manner because: the directional signs within the site will
help patrons of the site navigate more easily within the development.
3.) The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will result in
practical difficulties in the use of the property because: the petitioner will not be able to place
the number of directional signs within the site that would make it easier for patrons to navigate,
possibly making the shopping experience more stressful.
Findings of Fact: 2 off-premise signs within the road right of way
1.) The approval of this variance will be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and
general welfare of the community because: the large signs will be imposing on the traffic of the
highly traveled Carmel Dr and 116th Streets at the AAA Way intersection. They will not be to
scale with the other signage along these two streets, and they will be very close to the streets.
2.) The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will be
affected in a substantially adverse manner because: the large signs will be imposing on the
traffic of the highly traveled Carmel Dr and 116th Streets at AAA Way. They will not be to scale
with the other signage along these two streets, and they will be very close to the streets.
3.) The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will not result in
practical difficulties in the use of the property because: The monument signs can be placed on
the site, itself, which has high visibility from 116 Street, AA Way, and Keystone A vel SR 431.
Recommendation:
The Dept. of Community Services recommends positive consideration of Docket Nos. 07020031 V and
07020034 V after all questions/concerns are addressed.
The Dept. of Community Services recommends negative consideration of Docket Nos. 07020030-33 V
and 07020035-38 V after all questions/concerns are addressed.
If approved, the signs within the road right of way will need "consent to encroach" approval from the
Board of Public Works/Engineering Dept. to be located within the road right of way.