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Board approves billboard spacing variance on US 30 despite one dissent
Summary
The Merrillville BZA approved a variance allowing a new static 14-by-48-foot billboard at 1710 W. 80th Ave, finding the spacing variance appropriate for this petitioner; the vote was 4-1 with one member dissenting.
The Town of Merrillville Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance of developmental standards to allow a new off-premise advertising sign at 1710 West 80th Avenue (case Z5V1-0325). The vote was 4 in favor, 1 opposed.
TJ Simpson, assistant general manager for Lamar Advertising of Northwest Indiana, told the board the property owner asked Lamar to place a billboard on the site and that demand and sale conditions made the location desirable. Simpson said the sign would be static (not electronic) and 14 by 48 feet in size and that the request is a spacing variance because the code requires a larger separation between off-premise signs.
A staff report said the petitioner sought relief from section 21-192(c)(2) to allow the proposed sign to sit 1,525 feet to the west of an existing off-premise sign and 1,139 feet to the east of another existing sign on U.S. 30. The report noted surrounding uses are highway commercial and that the proposed sign would match sizes of other boards in the corridor.
Several board members raised concerns about potential visual clutter and driver distraction along U.S. 30. Simpson replied that company and industry studies have not shown a causal link between billboards and driver distraction. "There's been no proof that billboards distract drivers," he told the board.
No members of the public spoke during the open comment periods. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the board approved the variance 4-1 with one member voting no.
The approval is limited to the petitioner and the site; the petitioner must comply with applicable engineering, height and installation regulations. The record indicates staff will coordinate any required permitting and that the item proceeds to Town Council as part of the normal process for final approvals.
