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Board approves expanded temporary signage for First Presbyterian Church after staff compromise
Summary
The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 13 approved a revised developmental variance allowing expanded temporary signage for First Presbyterian Church (200 E. Beardsley Ave.) under staff‑negotiated conditions that will be memorialized in the city’s upcoming UDO.
The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 13 unanimously approved a revised developmental variance allowing First Presbyterian Church at 200 East Beardsley Avenue expanded temporary signage under a staff‑brokered compromise.
The board’s action adopted staff findings and conditions that would permit up to four yard signs plus two additional signs for every 250 feet of street frontage, two feather flags per zoning lot and one banner in residentially zoned districts. Staff said the allowance will be memorialized in the city’s anticipated unified development ordinance (UDO).
Planning staff told the board the revised recommendation followed months of negotiation and multiple hearings to balance the church’s need to publicize events with existing sign standards. The staff report said the proposed compromise aligns with the zoning ordinance’s intent and includes safety provisions: temporary signs must be placed on private property, maintained in good condition, and are prohibited from the public right of way.
Bruce Carter, representing First Presbyterian Church, told the board, “We support the staff recommendations,” and thanked staff for their work after three hearings. The petitioner said the church wants to use small temporary signs and a banner to inform the public of special events and wayfinding on its campus.
Staff framed the change as a narrow relief tied to places of worship and the UDO update: feather flags and small banners, previously not permitted in some districts, would be added to the permitted temporary sign list. Staff recommended approval based on standard findings, including that the variance would not injure public health or adjacent property values and that special conditions warrant relief.
The board adopted the motion to approve the developmental variance and the staff findings by unanimous roll call. Pastor Sally Wicks addressed the board afterward to thank members for the compromise.
Next steps: the approved conditions will be memorialized in the UDO, and staff will monitor compliance with placement and maintenance requirements. No appeals or rehearing motions were filed during the meeting.
