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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes SpecStdy 03-06-12City of Carmel Carmel Plan Commission SPECIAL STUDIES COMMITTEE March 6, 2012 CAUCUS ROOMS, 2 "a FLR CARMEL CITY HALL ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, IN 46032 6:00 PM Members Present: John Adams, Steve Lawson, Alan Potasnik, Woody Rider, Steve Stromquist DOCS Staff: Director Michael Hollibaugh, Alexia Donahue -Wold, Rachel Boone; Legal Counsel John Molitor Also Present: Ramona Hancock, Plan Commission Secretary The Special Studies Committee considered the following items: 1. Docket No. 12020006 ADLS Amend: The Fraternity of Alpha Kappa Lambda — Signage The applicant seeks approval to place one new ground sign on the property. The site is located at 354 Gradle Dr. and is zoned I -1 /Industrial. It is not located within any Overlay Zone. Filed by Keith Gilchrist of Alpha Kappa Lambda. Present for Petitioner: Keith Gilchrist, Secretary of Alpha Kappa Lambda Foundation, owner of the property; the property is leased to the fraternity. At this time, the Fraternity is requesting signage. The Foundation is a 501c3 public charity in the business of fund raising, scholarships, and leadership development. • Ground Sign located in front yard of bldg • Sign materials are brick to match existing bldg & high density foam to mount letters to structure • Sign will be 4 feet tall and 6 feet 8 inches wide — Sign area is approximately 11 square feet • Open item is lighting — preferred to be solar powered, but problem finding dependable solar power unit — may forego ground lighting on sign. • Sign contains the Fraternity Coat of Arms. Dept Report, Rachel Boone: • Sign color background is white, brick will match the bldg • Brick sides, aluminum background, limestone caps • Letters pin- mounted • Sign should not obstruct view /sight • Dept is comfortable with sign — it meets allowable size 1 • Sign is a good addition to neighborhood • Petitioner has worked with Sign -A -Rama on the sign • Sign Company will submit up -dated drawings to Dept showing language & location of street number • Dept recommends positive consideration Committee Questions /Continents: • Sign text? -- will later include "national headquarters" • Street number on sign? (at end of sign or on building is OK with fire marshal) • Solar lighting is ineffective over a period of time Motion: Kevin "Woody" Rider to approve Docket No. 12020006 ADLS Amend, The Fraternity of Alpha Lambda — Signage; however, if solar power is not found, petitioner can run power to the sign and not have to return to Committee for additional approval The motion was seconded by John Adams, approved 3 -0. 2. Tabled to March 29, or later: Docket No. 11120027 Z: Highpointe on Meridian PUD. 3. Docket No. 11090004 OA: Sign Ordinance Update. The applicant seeks approval to amend Chapter 25.07: Sign Ordinance of the Zoning Ordinance in order to update and revise the regulations for signage. The applicant also seeks to update Chapter 3: Definitions, Chapter 19: B-/Business District, Chapter 20E:C -1 /City Center District, Chapter 20F:C -2 /Old Town District, Chapter 20G: OM/Old Meridian District, Chapter 23B: US Highway 31 Corridor Overlay Zone, Chapter 23C: US Highway 421— Michigan Road Corridor Overlay Zone, Chapter 23D: Old Town District Overlay Zone, Chapter 23E: Home Place District Overlay Zone; Chapter 23F: Carmel Drive — Range Line Road Overlay Zone, Chapter 23H: Monon Greenway Overlay Zone, Chapter 24: Development Plan and Architectural Design, Exterior Lighting, Landscaping & Signage Regulations, Chapter 25: Additional Use Regulations, and Chapter 29: Administration in order to update other chapters containing sign standards. Filed by the Carmel Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission. Present for Petitioner: Rachel Boone, Dept of Community Services. Members of the business community in attendance: Mo Merhoff, Carmel Chamber of Commerce; Barbara Carson, Eden Designs Members of the public in attendance: Ila Badger Overview: • Creating a Visual Guide with examples & text • Permanent Signs — proposed changes discussed • Temporary Signs — proposed changes discussed • Sign Charts -- Proposed Changes discussed 2 • Goals are to address the business community's concerns wherever possible by:: o Making the Sign Ordinance more fair /equal across the board o Making it easier to understand by condensing sections & utilizing consistency in language & terminology o Provide links to definitions & maps /overlay zones • Maintain key provisions which set Carmel apart from other cities • Re- arrange & condense sections of Sign Ordinance to be clearer /easier to read & understand • Eliminate repetition within the Sign Ordinance Open Discussion regarding: Real Estate Signs Commercial Properties/Business Zones Residential Zones Identification Signs Signs dictated by lot size Political Campaign Signs Signage for Temporary Uses/Banners—Grand Opening Banners Temporary Sign Structures to be addressed Yard Sale & Open House signs Miscellaneous Temporary Signs Next Committee Meeting will cover Size Chart, Visual Guide, & General Provisions —First Section. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM Steve Stromqui t, Chai 'erson 3