HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept ReportCARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Hearing Officer DEPARTMENT REPORT
Apri127, 2009
2-3d. (V) Carmel Friends Church - Signage
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approvals:
Docket No. 09040011V 25.07.02-OS (b) Number of signs
Docket No. 09040012V 25.07.02-OS (b) Three signs facing north ROW
The site is located at 651 W. Main St. It is zoned R-2 Residential.
Filed by Jon Dobosiewicz of Nelson & Frankenberger on behalf of Carmel Friends Church.
General Info: The petitioner is requesting permission to place an
additional sign on an existing suspended sign post. This would put the
total number of signs facing W. Main St. at 3 signs. Only 1 is allowed.
Analysis: Per the Sign Ordinance, Institutional uses are permitted one
30 sq. ft. sign per street frontage with 16 sq. ft. allotted for changeable
copy. The petitioner has this sign and it was approved originally in 1986,
with the changeable copy added in 1998.
The existing Preschool sign that is 6 sq. ft. (on a suspended ground sign
format) does not have a permit. This sign should not have been installed
without variance approval. That is what the petitioner is attempting to
resolve. The Petitioner would also like to add a new sign for the Coram
Deo Academy.
This would put the total number of signs at 3 and the total square footage
for the site at 44 sq ft. This is only 14 sq. ft. over what is allowed. The
Department is in support of this request.
Findings of Fact: Number of Signs & Three signs facing north ROW
1. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general
welfare of the community because: the proposed signage addition will only help to identify the schools
that are located within the Church building.
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 proposed signage addition is in character with what is
already there. It will look aesthetically pleasing and give proper identification at the same time.
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 Coram Deo Academy would not be able to
appropriately identify itself to its students and the Church congregation.
Recommendation:
The Dept. of Community Services recommends positive consideration of Docket Nos. 09040011-12 V
after all concerns have been addressed.