Elkhart BZA defers First Presbyterian Church sign request after 2-1 vote

First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart sought permission from the Elkhart Board of Zoning Appeals on Sept. 11 to install 12 small temporary yard signs and one banner to promote seven recurring church events, asking for up to 70 sign-days per year. The three-member board did not reach the required unanimous decision on a compromise motion and the petition is continued to next month.

The petition, filed as 25BZA20, asked the board to allow three signs on each side of the church property at 200 E. Beardsley Ave. and ten days of display per event for seven events (70 days total). Church representatives told the board the signs are the most effective local outreach channel for youth and community programming and said they plan to continue using revocable permits from the Board of Works to place signs on the parkway (city right-of-way).

The request drew testimony from Bruce Carter, who said he "represent[s] First Presbyterian Church," and from Reverend Dr. Sally Wicks, who said small yard signs are often how neighbors learn about the church's programs. Andrew McCasky, an elder who oversees outreach and technology for the church, told the board yard signs plus QR codes produce higher conversion to event signups than other channels such as email, postcards or social media.

City staff told the board the new sign ordinance under development would limit temporary signs on corner and street-facing lots to four signs and 30 days; staff recommended a more limited allowance than the church requested. Board members questioned the use of city right-of-way for private signage, public-safety and visual-clutter implications, and the precedent this case could set for other property owners.

Board member Dave moved to grant the petition with conditions but to reduce the church’s requested 70 days to 60 days; another board member seconded the motion. Roll call produced two votes in favor and one opposed (Mulvaney: Yes; Osborne: Yes; Lightman: No). Because the board was operating with a three-member quorum and the rules require unanimous votes to take action in that circumstance, the motion failed for lack of unanimity and the case was continued to the next meeting with no action taken.

The church said it will work with the Board of Works for revocable event permits and indicated willingness to pursue a longer-term permit after the sign-ordinance issue is resolved. Staff noted some residents had called to complain but that no written opposition letters within the 300-foot notice radius were on file.

With the BZA unable to act because of the unanimity requirement for a three-member panel, the church's petition will return to a future hearing when the board is fully seated, at which point a final determination or new compromise may be recorded.