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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes BZA 07-27-98 CARMEL/CLAY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS JULY 27, 1998 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Carmel/Clay Board of Zoning Appeals was called to order by the vice president at approximately 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Carmel, Indiana. Members present were: Jay Dorman; Dick Klar; Earlene Plavchak; and James Quinn. Director Steve Engelking, Terry Jones, and Mark Monroe were present representing the Department of Community Services. John Molitor, Counsel, was also present. The minutes of the June meeting were approved as submitted. H. Public Hearing: lh. Batteries Plus Sign (V-28-98) Petitioner seeks approval of a developmental standards variance of Section 25.7.02-8(b) of the Carmel/Clay Zoning Ordinance to allow an additional wall sign fronting on Westfield Boulevard. The site is located at the southeast corner of Westfield Boulevard and East 116th Street. The site is zoned B-3/Business. Filed by Warren Johnson of Citgo. Warren Johnson, 4416 King Arthur Court, Carmel appeared before the Board representing the petitioner. The site is a combination convenience store and gas station. Batteries Plus is a business geared strictly to batteries--batteries for cars, watches, cell phones, pagers, power tools, etc. Mr. Johnson intends to convert the existing kitchen and seating area into a Batteries Plus store. The petitioner is requesting permission to install a "Batteries Plus" sign on the west side of the building which would allow for identification for the business. Mr. Johnson is proposing to remove the existing "Food Mart" sign, never to be put up again, in exchange for the 'Batteries Plus" sign. In addition, Mr. Johnson is willing to commit to never install the additional car wash sign that was approved five years ago. Members of the public were invited to speak in favor or opposition to the proposed signage; none appeared and the public hearing was closed. Mark Monroe reported that the Department is recommending denial of the Batteries Plus sign in that the property currently has adequate signage for existing tenants and potential tenants that might locate at this site. In addition, the current ground signs, by Ordinance, would allow for identification of additional tenants within the building. There are currently two ground price signs for the gas station that could also identify additional tenants in the building. s:ABZA\minutes\bza1998ju1 1 Jay Dorman asked for clarification of the 5 signs that were previously approved and the signs currently in existence. Mr. Johnson reported that at this time, the following signs are in use: a car wash "exit" sign, a "Food Mart" sign, and the two existing price signs, one on 116th Street and one on Westfield Boulevard. Jay Dorman requested that the level of neon illumination not be excessive; the petitioner agreed. Dick Klar moved to approve Docket No. V-28-98, Batteries Plus Sign, seconded by Jay Dorman. APPROVED 3 in favor, Jim Quinn opposed. At Mark Monroe's suggestion, Warren Johnson agreed to submit a copy of the agreed commitments in recordable form to the Department. Mr. Johnson's attorney will prepare and forward to the Department. 2h. Citgo Signs (V-29-98) Petitioner seeks approval of a developmental standards variance of Section 25.7.02-8(b) of the Carmel/Clay Zoning Ordinance to allow additional canopy signage. The site is located at the southeast corner of Westfield Boulevard and East 116th Street. The site is zoned B-3/Business. Filed by Warren Johnson of Citgo. Mr. Johnson stated that he is formally withdrawing this request and will be taking these signs down. WITHDRAWN by the petitioner. I. Old Business: li. Medcheck Sign (V-8-98) TABLED at the request of the petitioner. 2i. Marsh Sign (V-26-98) Petitioner seeks approval of a developmental standards variance of Section 25.7.02-9(c) of the Carmel/Clay Zoning Ordinance to allow an increase in the size of the wall sign from 150 square feet to 222 square feet. The site is located at 2140 East 116th Street within the Merchants' Square Mall. The site is zoned B- 8/Business. Filed by Jim Nelson of Nelson and Frankenberger. Jim Nelson, 3663 Brumley Way, Carmel, appeared before the Board representing the petitioner. This item was presented to the Board last month to permit the placement of two words under the existing "Marsh" sign at its new store in Merchants Square--"super- market," and "pharmacy." The inclusion of these two words increases the size of the sign by 72 square feet and in excess of the size permitted under the Sign Ordinance. sABZA\minutes\bza1998ju1 2 The petitioner made an oral commitment which was reduced to writing, stating that if the variance were granted, Marsh would forego its right to install a sign to which is it entitled on the west facia of the building facing AAA Way. The Marsh sign itself is more than adequate to identify the facility; however, the two additional words of"supermarket" and "pharmacy" under the Marsh identification sign will help persons identify Marsh as a grocery store and the "pharmacy" as operating within the facility for having prescriptions filled. By agreement, Marsh will be the only prescription pharmacy within the entire center. Members of the public were invited to speak in favor or opposition to the proposed signage; none appeared and the public hearing was closed. Mark Monroe reported that the Department is recommending denial on the basis that the building and the store currently have adequate identification and do not need additional identification. Jim Quinn commented that the "supermarket" and "pharmacy" signs would not be visible by motorists from 116th Street. Jay Dorman asked if the signage on Keystone would reflect "supermarket" and "pharmacy." Jim Nelson's response was negative. Jay Dorman moved for the approval of Docket No. V-26-98, Marsh Sign. APPROVED 3 in favor, Jim Quinn opposed. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. Earlene Plavchak, Vice President Ramona Hancock, Secretary s:\BZA\minutes\bza1998juI 3