HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept ReportCARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
DEPARTMENT REPORT
JANUARY 25, 2011
1 -2. Pilgrim Lutheran Church
The applicant seeks the following special use amendment and development standards variance approvals:
Docket No. 10110009 SUA Ordinance Chptr 5.02: Church in S -1 district
Docket No. 10110010 V- Ordinance Chptr 5.04.01: maximum building height
The 19 -acre site is located at 3650 W. 106' Street and is zoned S1/Single-Family Residential. Filed by
Gerald Powell of Pilgrim Lutheran Church of Indianapolis, Inc.
General Info Analysis
The petitioner seeks special use
amendment approval in order to
expand upon the special use
approval of the church use and
conceptual site plan approved
by the BZA in 2002. The
petitioner also seeks variance
approval to exceed the 35 -ft
height limit by almost 12
inches. Lastly, the petitioner
seeks approval of a 100 -ft tall
bell tower /church steeple.
Nearby land uses are a fire
station, church, neighborhood
common area, and several
residences. Please view the
petitioner's info packet for
more detail on the plans and the
history of this project.
Findings of Fact: Special Use, Church use on residentially zoned land.
1. The premises in question is particularly physically suitable for the proposed Special Use because: The
church special use and a concept plan was previously approved in 2002. The large area of land is suitable for a
church. It is near the street intersection of Shelborne Rd 106"' St. and will be adjacent to a fire station. Also, the
comprehensive plan supports this land use in a residential area and sees it as complementary to the existing uses in
the area.
2. The Special Use will not injuriously or adversely affect economic factors, such as cost /benefit to the
community and its anticipated effect on surrounding property values because: The comprehensive plan
supports this land use in a residential area and sees it as complementary to the existing uses in the area. The church
use and its concept plan was previously approved in 2002.
3. The Special Use will be consistent with social/neighborhood factors, such as compatibility with
existing uses and those permitted under current zoning in the vicinity of the premises under consideration
and how the proposed Special Use will affect neighborhood integrity because: The comprehensive plan
supports this land use in a residential area and sees it as compatible to the existing uses in the area. The church use
was previously approved in 2002.
4. The Special Use will not injuriously or adversely affect the adequacy and availability of water, sewage
and storm drainage facilities and police and fire protection because: all utilities are already in place. This
portion of the township was annexed in the summer of 2010. The comprehensive plan supports this land use in a
residential area. The church use was previously approved in 2002.
5. The Special Use will not adversely affect vehicular and pedestrian traffic in and around the premises
upon which the Special Use is proposed because: A pedestrian/bicycle path will also be installed along 106"' St.
Being located near the street intersection of Shelborne Rd 106"' St. will make it easy to navigate to by car. Also,
the comprehensive plan supports this land use in a residential area and deems it a compatible land use. The church
use was previously approved in 2002.
Findings of Fact: Variance, height of building bell tower.
1. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general
welfare of the community because: the variance of height for the main building is almost a foot. Also, the bell
tower or church spire height is permitted by the zoning ordinance upon approval by the appropriate authority.
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 variance of height for the main building is almost a foot. Also the
bell tower or church spire height is permitted by the zoning ordinance upon approval by the appropriate authority.
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 building height will have to be lowered, possibly negatively
affecting the overall architecture, use, and aesthetics of the building.
Recommendation:
The Dept. of Community Services recommends positive consideration of Docket No. Docket Nos. 10110009 SUA
and 10110010 V, after all concerns have been addressed.