HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept Report 2-1-05CARMEL/CLAY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
HEARING OFFICER: DEPARTMENT REPORT
February 1, 2005
ld. Penn Mark Plaza, Bldg 3
Petitioner seeks the following development standards variance approvals:
Docket No. 05010024 V Chapter 27.05.02-10.b number of signs
Docket No. 05010025 V Chapter 27.05.02-10.b 2 signs oriented west
The site is located at 111455 N Meridian St, and the site is zoned B-6/Business within the US 31
Overlay Zone. Filed by Zeff Weiss of Ice Miller for Three Penn Mark Plaza, LLC.
General Info:
The petitioner is requesting variance approval to
have three total signs on the building, when
having only two road frontages allows for 2
signs. The second variance request is to have
two signs facing the US 31 street frontage, while
the ordinance only requires one sign per
frontage. This building is part of Penn Mark
Plaza, comprising of three buildings.
Analysis:
The building faCade along US 31 has the
greatest amount of visibility on the site. The
building is designed with a curved wall on the
southwest fagade, which allows for even greater
visibility by northbound traffic on US 31. This
site is optimal for a wall sign. The second best site for a wall is anywhere else on the west fagade of
the building, which faces US 31. And. Of course, the third best site for a wall sign is on the east faCade,
which faces Pennsylvania Street. The petitioner would like approval to have three signs on the
building, so that the tenants get adequate visibility from the roads for tenant identification.
Findings of Fact: Signage
1.) The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals,
and general welfare of the community because: The sign location may allow drivers on US
31 to recognize the site earlier and be able to make better driving decisions when changing
lanes and turning.
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 location on the west faCade fits the architecture elements of the building and will not
affect adjacent property values in this area.
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 strict application of the Zoning Ordinance may result in practical difficulties in the use of
the property due to fact that the owner might have to place a tenant's sign on the Pennsylvania
Street frontage, which has substantially fewer amounts of traffic and visibility. Or, the owner
would not be able to place the third sign on the building, where the tenant would not be able to
notify the public of its location.
Recommendation:
The department recommends positive consideration of Docket Nos. 05010024 V and 05010025 V.