HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 1-18-11 CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
DEPARTMENT REPORT
JANUARY 18, 2011
1 -3. (V) The Center for the Performing Arts Signage
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approvals:
Docket No. 11010002V Ch. 25.07.02 -11 b): Sign types
Docket No. 11010003V Ch. 25.07.02 -11 d): Ground sign height
Docket No. 11010004V Ch. 25:07.02 -11 c): Maximum sign a rea
The site is located at the southeast corner of City Center Dr. and 3r Ave. SW. It is zoned C- l/City Center
District. Filed by the Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Redevelopment
Commission.
1 4 1 General Info:
mY� Tlie applicant seeks approval to allow
C it y C enter D r
banners and electronic message signs,
k�� i to have ground directory signs that are
R r a taller than 6 feet and to have more
y t� a� square footage for the site than what
t i the Sign Ordinance allows. These
Al 1 ,1 4' 41 :2:-.1-74,L-',44:::' r requests are necessary for
for the Performing Arts to ad equately Center
a a identify shows /concerts and guide
1� t the site.
patrons throughout
1
tt r E
1 4 9 r f Vr
Analysis:
'M 1 r r t r44 5 t The d banners are requested to announce
l r ,tea- s the different eoncert/ show themes, as
fi t
x r 1 well as to announce the grand opening
1, ceremonies and other major events.
There are three different categories of
`fi banners b reques a) Palladium
1� bs, b) Tarkington blade b
anners, H
1. an anner c all other Tarkington banners.
_�3 r i'i'_ The Palladium banners (a) will be
placed between the columns on the south entance to the building. nners roughly
ft. each. The Tarkington blade banners two banners are proposed for banners the north el will eva be tion roug of the 8' Tarx 13kington sq.
104
Building, which is directly to the south of the Palladium. These banners will state the names of the two theatres:
The Studio Theater and the Booth Tarkington Theater, as well as have graphic images of shows /dancers. The size
of these banners is 2'6 1/8" x 15'8 '/4" _39.38 sq. ft. each. Lastly, there are 9 other banners (c) proposed to go onto
the Tarkington Building.on the north, west and south elevations. No renderings or information has been provided
about what these banners will say. The sizes of these banners are shown as 120 sq. ft., 208 sq. ft. and 256 sq. ft.
The Department is concerned with the size, placement, and content of these banners. We would prefer to see these
banners reduced in size, if not eliminated. The Department feels thereis great potential for "cluttering" this
building with banners. The large size of.these banners is the reason for the variance regarding square footage for
the site,. The site is allowed 595 sq. ft. of Signage. With all these banners, the grand total for square footage is
1,955.68 sq. ft. This is 1,360.68 sq. ft. over what is allowed. The Department feels this is too far over what is
allowed on the site.
The, electronic signs requested a re 14.49 sq. ft. and 6'8 3 /4" tall. (20 sq. ft. and 5' tall is allowed by the Sign
Ordinance.) Four of these signs are requested. Three are located around the Palladium and one is located by the
Tarkington Building. The purpose of these signs is to announce to pedestrians what shows /concerts are playing
that night and upcoming shows /concerts. These signs could also have graphic images with names of sponsors and
advertisements. They will appear to look like a TV in a frame on a granite stand. These signs are considered
directory. signs for the site. The size is within the Sign Ordinance requirements, but the height and electronic nature
of the sign are not allowed, thus the variance requests.
There is a second, nonelectronic directory sign proposed as an option for the site that is over the 5' tall limit by the
Sign Ordinance. This sign is 6.39 sq. ft. and 6'6 3 /4" tall. It is unknown where this sign will be placed on the site. It
may not be the option chosen. The Department has not been provided with that info.
A larger monument sign is also proposed: it is 24.5 sq. ft. and 8'1 1/4" tall. This is over the 6' tall height restriction
of the Sign Ordinance. This sign is meant to identify the Center Green and the tenants within the Tarkington
Building. It will be located at the entrance to Tarkington Building, on the south side of the Center Green.
Findings of Fact: Sign types, Ground sign height, and Maximum sign area (a Palladium banners b
Tarkington blade banners)
1. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general
welfare of the community because: the signage being sought will help identify to the public what types of
performances are held at the Center for the Performing Arts in a modern and efficient manner.
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 sign package was designed by-a, nationally recognized firm with
prior experience designing for cultural centers similar to the Center for the Performing Arts. The sign package
is proposed at the highest quality standard and will compliment the surrounding uses and blend in with other
signage in the City of Carmel.
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: It does not allow the Center for the Performing Arts to install
the necessary signage to promote and easily located the performance venues and the commercial tenants. This
complex is large with a number of different performance venues and commercial tenants that will need to be
identified. These variance requests will greatly assist in making way finding throughout the site easy.
Findings of Fact: Maximum sign area (c all other Tarkington banners)
1. The approval of this variance will be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare
of the community because: the request for nine banners at 1,432 sq. ft. is completely out of character for the
City of Carmel and does not respect the other businesses within the City that adhere to the Sign Ordinance
requirements. These banners also propose a possible safety threat with billboard size banners on the side of
the building distracting drivers 'as they pass by.
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 size and quantity of these banners will dwarf all other business
signs and advertising messages. They will also negatively impact the aesthetic quality of the building and the
views of surrounding businesses, patrons and drivers.
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: there are many identification and advertising signs proposed
for this site >40 signs). Patrons will be aware of what performances are coming up and will be able to
navigate their way through the site with ease.
Recommendation:
After all concerns have been addressed, the Dept. of Community Services (DOCS) recommends positive
consideration of Docket Nos. 11010002 V and 11010003 V. Also, DOCS recommends the Hearing Officer split
the maximum sign area request into.3 a) Palladium banners, b) Tarkington Blade banners, and c) all other
Tarkington banners where he would positively consider a) and b) and negatively consider c).
Conn, Angelina V
From: Conn, Angelina V
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 4:57 PM
To: Accetturo, John V; Brainard, James C; 'Bruce Smith'; Carter, Ronald E; Griffiths, Joe; 'Hal
Espey'; 'Indianapolis Star'; 'Indianapolis Star (calendar @indystar.com)'; 'Marnin Spigelman
'Richard Heck'; Rider, Kevin D; Seidensticker, Eric; Sharp, Rick; Snyder, Luci;
'heather.gillers indystar.com'
Cc: Tingley, Connie S; Heck, Nancy S; Martin, Candy;' Boone, Rachel M.; Worthley, Matthew D;
Olds, Les
Subject: Jan. 18 BZA hearing officer meeting I dept. report
Attachments: BZA Dept Report 01- 18- 2011.pdf
Good afternoon,
Attached is the Jan. 18 BZA hearing officer meeting department report.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Angie Conn, Planning Administrator
City of Carmel Planning Zoning Division
Dept. of Community Services
1 Civic Square, 3rd Fir.
Carmel, IN 46032
0: 317- 571 -2417 1 F: 317 571 -2426 1 E: aconnOcarmel.in.gov
W: www.carmel.in.gov /services /DOCS /DOCSDOPZ.htm
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
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Conn, Angelina V
From: Conn, Angelina V
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 4:56 PM
To: Tingley, Connie S; Boone, Rachel M.; Plavchak, Earlene; Earlene Plavchak
(eamplav @sbcglobal.net)'; 'Ephraim Wilfong (ephraimwilfong @gmail.com)'; Haney, Douglas
C; Hollibaugh, Mike P; Hawkins, James R; 'James R. Hawkins (hawkinsjamesr @yahoo.com)';
'John Molitor'; Broach, Kent; 'Kent M. Broach'; Dierckman, Leo J; 'Leo Dierckman
Cc: Rider, Kevin D; Martin, Candy; Mindham, Daren
Subject: Jan. 18 BZA hearing officer meeting dept. report
Attachments: BZA Dept Report 01- 18- 2011.pdf
Good afternoon,
Attached is the Jan. 18 BZA hearing officer meeting department report. Leo is the hearing officer for this one.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Please let us know if you would like a hard copy.
Angie Conn, Planning Administrator
City of Carmel Planning Zoning Division
Dept. of Community Services
1 Civic Square, 3rd Flr.
Carmel, IN 46032
0: 317 571 -2417 F: 317 -571 -2426 I E: aconnOcarmel.in.gov
W: www.carmel.in.gov /services /DOCS /DOCSDOPZ.htm
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
1