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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS DEPARTMENT REPORT August 25, 2008 12h. Sales Diesel - Sign age The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval: Docket No. 08070017 V Section 25.07J)2-05 (b) Number of signs facing right-of-way The site is located at 11590 N. Meridian St. It is zoned S-2/B-6, Light commercial and office uses adjacent to limited access highways. Filed by Amanda Gates of Sign Craft Industries. General Info: The Petitioner is requesting a variance to allow an additional wall sign to face US 31. This building is located in Fidelity Plaza at the SW comer of I 161h St. and US 31 . Analysis: The sign will be 87.68 sq. n. in area. which is under the permitted 90 sq. ft. It will be ivory in color and have bronze returns and trim caps. It will be internally illuminated and will appear ivory both during the day and at night. This meets the sign package tor this center. Approving this variance request would allow for two signs to face US 31 on this building. While the building has many facades and angles, it is still only allowed .one sign per public street. This building is allowed three signs. The proposed sign should face Illinois St. for it to be in compliance with the Sign Ordinance. If you look to the blown up version of the building (to the left), the red line is where the Petitioner is proposing the new sign. The blue line to the north and the orange line to the south is where the existing signs are located. Illinois St. is slated to be completed (connected from 1161h St. to L06th St.) within the next few years, according.to the Mayor. The Department foresees the buildings along this corridor wanting signage to face Illinois S1. once it is constructed. If this variance request is approved now, the Department anticipates more variance requests for additional signs to faee nfinois S1. in the future. The Department would prefer not to deviate from the Sign Ordinance in this request. One sign per street frontage is allowed. This sign would have Department support if it were proposed to face Illinois St. Findin~s of Fact: Two signs facing ROW 1.) The approval of this variance will be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community because: the Sign Ordinance dictates that only one sign per public street frontage is allowed. This helps to lessen visual "sign clutter" along the US 31 Corridor. Allowing an additional sign on this building fa<;ade adds a potential distraction to drivers and takes away from the building and the other signs already featured on two of its facades. 2.) ~he use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will be affected in a substantially adverse manner because: allowing an additional tenant sign on this fa9ade would take away from the officelbusiness corridor and begin to give it a more "retail" feel. Otlices locate along US 31 for its professional environment. Adding more and more signs to the exterior of the buildings takes away from that atmosphere. 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 building is all owed to have three signs, one facing Meridian, 116111 S1. and Illinois S1. It is located within a well known office park and has very good visibility. Recommendation: The Dept. ofConul1unity Services recommends negative consideration of Docket No. 08070017 V after all concerns have been addressed. .