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Evansville BZA approves multiple variances, requires 10% dusk‑to‑dawn dimming for electronic signs
Summary
At its Oct. 17 meeting the Board of Zoning Appeals approved several variances across residential and commercial petitions — including billboard and church electronic signs conditioned to dim to 10% from dusk to dawn — and handled multiple driveway, pole‑barn and fence requests.
The Evansville Board of Zoning Appeals approved a slate of variances on Oct. 17, 2024, addressing signage, driveway widths, accessory‑structure lot coverage and fence height across the city.
Key outcomes recorded at the hearing: - VAR‑2024‑071 (Lamar Advertising): Approved with the condition that the electronic off‑premise message sign be dimmed from dusk to dawn to 10% of normal brightness and that Lamar respond to brightness complaints; roll call recorded 4‑0 in favor. Applicants Shane Pollard and Andy Morris said they had met with the Jacobsville Neighborhood Association and offered community advertising space. - VAR‑2024‑076 (Trinity Lutheran Church): Approved to retain/update three on‑premise signs including an electronic message sign; the board required a dusk‑to‑dawn 10% dimming condition (4‑0). - VAR‑2024‑072 and VAR‑2024‑073 (Gen 3 Contracting): The board approved a 32‑ft driveway variance (Palomar Drive) 4‑0. A separate 38‑ft driveway request (Shire Court) produced a 3‑yes, 1‑no recorded vote and—per the clerk’s statement in the transcript—was continued to the next meeting for further handling. - VAR‑2024‑078 and VAR‑2024‑079 (pole barns): David Snyder and Kevin Swadner received variances to increase accessory‑structure lot coverage for personal agricultural use (each approved 4‑0). - VAR‑2024‑080 (Journey to Enterprises LLC, Buchanan Road): Approved the variance to reduce front green space to 0' and to allow gravel parking instead of paved parking; the board denied the requested buffer‑screen variance and set a 42‑inch opaque buffer requirement by condition (4‑0). - VAR‑2024‑066 (Seibert) and VAR‑2024‑082 (Boiler Investment Group, Main Street): Both granted (4‑0) — the latter allowed an 8‑ft front‑yard fence to enclose outdoor dining at the Main Street venue; the board discussed aesthetics and suggested painting or a neutral mural (not advertising).
Board members repeatedly sought firm commitments on electronic sign lighting. For the Lamar site and other digital signs, applicants committed to an automated ambient‑light dimming system and to a 10% brightness limit from dusk to dawn if required. Staff agreed to provide contact information and follow‑up procedures for brightness complaints.
Votes at a glance (selected items): VAR‑2024‑064 (5104 Hogue Road) — approved 4‑0; VAR‑2024‑066 (9525 Moats Road) — approved 4‑0; VAR‑2024‑071 (Lamar billboard) — approved 4‑0 with 10% dimming; VAR‑2024‑072 (2926 Palomar) — approved 4‑0; VAR‑2024‑073 (2011 Shire Ct) — vote 3‑1 and noted as continued in the transcript; VAR‑2024‑076 (Trinity Lutheran) — approved 4‑0 with 10% dimming; VAR‑2024‑078 and VAR‑2024‑079 — approved 4‑0; VAR‑2024‑080 — mixed outcome approved/denied per variance element; VAR‑2024‑082 — approved 4‑0.
Next steps: approvals permit applicants to proceed with permitting and building‑department reviews; electronic‑sign dimming conditions and any site‑plan conditions will be enforced through staff and building authority oversight.
