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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS DEPARTl\IENT REPORT November 26, 2007 2-3h. Medford Place - Sign age The applicant seeks the fol1owing development standards variance approval: Docket No. 07100018 V Section 25.07.02-09 b Ground sign not facing RO\V Docket No. 07100037 V Section 25.07.02-09 b Number of signs per tenant The site is located at 10485 N. Michigan Rd. and is zoned B-3. Filed by Paul Reis of Bose McKinney and Evans. General Info: Medford Place is a multi-tenant ground floor commercial building fronting Michigan Rd. However, access to the site is through the private drive to the rear of the building, running parallel to Michigan Rd. The petitioner is requesting to have a ground sign constructed next to this private drive so that customers may have proper identification of the tenants within the building. Analysis: The proposed 1TfOund sign structure will be 7.5' wide by 5' tall and just over 2' deep. The actual sign area is only 8.93 sq. f1. This space is proposed to house six tenant panels. The area allowed by the Sign Ordinance is 60 sq. ft. The name of the building, Medford Place, will be located on the bottom of the sign structure. The tenant panels will he internally illuminated. Their background will be white and the letters are shown in a red font. This will be finalized at an ADLS Amendment approval hearing in the next couple months. Because (one-way) access to the building is from the private drive to the east (rear of the building), the Department understands and helieves there is a need for this ground sign. Even though this is a private drive, it is the main access point for the multiple retail establishments to the east of Michigan Rd. Due to this, it should be treated as a public road and allow necessary identification signage for the tenants located along this private drive. Medford Place does not have any wall signs on the rear of the building, nor are they requesting it. They are requesting one ground sign for all six tenants. We feel this is u modest request and one that will not compromise the safety of consumers nor the aesthetic quality of this development. While the department is in support of the variance for the sign, there are design issues that need to be worked out with the applicant when they apply tor ADLS Amendment approval. It is within the size requirements of the Sign Ordinance; however, the Department is concerned with readability of the sign to drivers passing by. Findings of Fact: Ground sign not facing right-of-way ]. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community because: The proposed sign will help identify the tenants in the retail center to mcmhers of the pubic without injury to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare of the community. 2. The use and value of the area ad.iacent to the property included in the variance will be not affected in a substantially adverse manner because: The ground sign will enhance the retail center's value without et1ect or impact on the adjacent area. 3. The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will result in a hardship in the use of the property because: A significant amount of traffic uses the service drive behind the Center to access and leave the Super Target. The' Retail Center tenants are unable to identify themselves to this traftlc and potential customers without this proposed sign. Findings of Fact: Numbe.' of signs per tenant ]. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety~ morals, and general welfare of the community because: The proposed sign will provide additional identification for the tenants in the retail center to members of the public\vithout injury to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare of tbe community. 2. The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will be not affected in a substantially adverse manner because: The additional signage will increase the business of the tenants which will enhance the retail center's value without effect or impact on the adjacent area. 3. The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property will result in a hardship in the use of the property because: A significant amount of tratTic uses the service drive behind the Center to access and leave the Super Target. The Retail Center tenants are unable to identify themselves to this traffic and potential customers without this additional identification signage on the proposed ground sign. Recommendation: Tbe Ocpt. ofColl'ununity Services recommends positive consideration of Docket Nos. 07100018 V and 07070037 v.