HomeMy WebLinkAboutDept ReportCARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
HEARING OFFICER: DEPARTMENT REPORT
Sept. 26, 2005
5-7d. Hamilton Heights, Lot 37: Home Occupation Sign
The applicant seeks the following development standards variances:
Docket No. 05080002 V ZO Chapter 25.07.02-03.aresidential sign type
Docket No. 05080003 V ZO Chapter 25.07.02-03.cresidential sign size
Docket No. 05080004 V ZO Chapter 25.07.02-03.b# of residential signs
The site is located at 2050 E 96th St. and is zoned S-2/Residence. Filed by Michael Godfrey.
General Info:
The petitioner is seeking variance
approval to have an additional home
occupation sign on the property. The
petitioner runs a real estate and insurance
business from his home. The Sign
Ordinance states that a Home Occupation
can have one 3 sq ft wall sign. The
petitioner would like an additional sign
that is a 15 sq ft ground sign. The
petitioner currently has a 3 sq fi wall sign
on the house.
Analysis'.
The lot is zoned residential, and currently has a 3 sq ft home occupation wall sign. The proposed
ground sign is 5 times the allowable size of a home occupation sign. The property is located along 96th
Street, a heavily traveled corridor, which could become a business corridor in the near future. The
Department is currently working with a consultant to formulate a growth plan for this area. The
Thoroughfare Plan shows this stretch of 96th Street has having a 60-ft half fight of way (measured from
the center of the street). A sign must be set back 5-ft fi'om that line (to be 65-ft from the center of 96th
St.) This puts the sign location halfway to the house from the street, approximately. The petitioner will
need to apply for a sign permit if the variances are approved. Currently, it is assumed that the petitioner
is keeping the wall sign. The Department recommends only having 1 sign on the property.
Findings of Fact: Sign size/type
1.) The approval of this variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals,
and general welfare of the community because: the ground sign will be 15 sq ft in area,
providing adequate visibility to drivers along 96th Street, possibly providing enough time for
drivers to slow down and use their turn signal.
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 ground sign will be 15 sq ft in area, providing adequate visibility to drivers along 96th
Street, possibly providing enough time for drivers to slow down and use their turn signal.
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'
patrons of the site may have a hard time finding the location on a growingly busy 96th Street,
possibly causing hardship on drivers of the road with traffic delays.
Findings of Fact: total # signs
1.) The approval of this variance may be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and
general welfare of the community because: a home occupation on a residential property is
only allowed 1 sign.
2.)
The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance may be
affected in a substantially adverse manner because:
a home occupation on a residential property is only allowed 1 sign.
3.)
The strict application of the terms of the Zoning Ordinance to the property may not
result in practical difficulties in the use of the property because:
a home occupation on a residential property is only allowed 1 sign.
Recommendation'.
The department recommends positive consideration o£ Docket Nos. 05080002V and 05080003V with
the condition that the wall sign be removed, and that the ground sign will have no lighting.
The department recommends negative consideration of Docket No. 05080004 V (total number of
signs).