HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 08-26-13CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
DEPARTMENT REPORT
AUGUST 26, 2013
3. (V) First Merchants Bank,,EIFS percentage.
The applicant seeks the following development standards variance approval for the amount of EIFS on a new bank
along Michigan Road:
Docket No. 13070014 V ZO CH: 23C.09.K.2.e EIFS not to exceed 10 %, 13.25% requested
The site is located at 102t0 North Michigan Road. The site is zoned B -2 /Business within the Michigan Road
Overlay. Filed by Jon Dobosiewicz with Nelson & Frankenberger, on behalf of First Merchants Bank.
General Info:
The Petitioner requests Variance approval, as a part
of a new bank, to increase the percentage of EIFS
permitted on the facade of the building. The site is
located along Michigan Road south of the approved
,Outback Steakhouse. The petitioner has already
received DP /ADLS approval as well as approval for
2 other variances. Please refer to the petitioner's
information packet for more details.
Analysis:
The Michigan Road Overlay requires building
facade walls to be constructed of any combination
of red brick or stone, however, it also permit other
materials to be applied as trim details as long as
they do not exceed 10% of the non- window facade
area. The petitioner proposes EIFS as a trim
material, but requests it to be 13.25% of the facade
area.
This increase in EIFS will allow trim details that better replicate the Italianate architectural theme that the building design
is based on. The Department believes the building is well designed and is consistent with the Michigan Road Overlay. If
the EIFS were reduced to meet the 10% limitation, the design of the building would he less appealing.
The Department is in support of this variance as the proposed architecture and materials provide a better result than
limiting the EIFS to 1O%, and it should not have a negative effect on the surrounding properties.
Petitioner's Findings of Fact:
1. The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general
weltare of the community because: the proposed combination of building materials are consistent with and
replicate the Italianate period of American architecture more accurately with a higher percentage of the
decorative frieze detailing (which is constructed of the EIFS material) just below the roofline.
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 modestly increased EIFS area will have no perceptible impact on
the use and value of the area adjacent to the subject property.
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 would create a
practical difficulty in designing the building with a more limited EIFS facade area while still meeting the
intended Italianate architectural style.
Recommendation: The Dept. of Conununity Services recommends approval of Docket No. 13070014 V.
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