07-23-12 Council Agenda & Packet

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JOHN W. BYORNI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LARRY MAGLIOZZI DEPUTY DIRECTOR AREA PLAN COMMISSION OF ST . JOSEPH COUNTY, iN 227 W. JEFFERSON BLVD., ROOM 1140 CQUNTY-CITY BUILDING, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46601 (574) 235-9571 May 25, 2012 Area Board of Zoning Appeals common council Attn: Janice 125 S. Lafayette, Suite 100 4`)' Floor County City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 South Bend, TN 46601 RE: Area Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Dear Board Members: The following comments are being made concerning some of the items to be heard at the Area Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The absence of comments on any particular item should not be construed to mean that the staff agrees with the request. Variances A variance from any of the development standards of the Zoning Ordinance may only be approved upon the Board of Zoning Appeals making a written determination and adopting appropriate Findings of Fact, based upon the evidence presented at a public hearing, that: (1) The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community, (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, and, (3) The strict application of the terms of this Chapter would result in practical difficulties in the use of the property. 112. The petition of Air Park South Bend, LLC. The staff recommends denial of these variances. As part of the 2004 update of the City of South Bend Zoning Ordinance, the sign ordinance was significantly revised. The intent of the sign ordinance is to eliminate excessive and confusing sign displays; maintain and im rove the appearance of the City of South Bend as an attractive place in which to live and conduct business; and safeguard and enhance property values by minimizing the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and to avoid sign clutter. The desire of the petitioner to place these additional signs defies the very intent of the sign ordinance and the effort the City took in establishing the standards. The staff would find it difficult to find a sign ordinance in a large city that would allow such excessive signage. A comparison would be to then allow every multi-tenant commercial/industrial center in the City to have a street sign for each of the tenants. The sign ordinance accommodates the needs SERVING ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, SOUTH BEND, LAKEVILLE, NEW CARLISLE, NORTH LIBERTY, OSCEOLA. & ROSELAND W W W.StJOSEPNCOUNTYJNI)kANA.COM