Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Signs And Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves Mid City Supply variance to allow perforated window film with advertising
Summary
The Michigan City Board of Zoning Appeals approved a development-standards variance for Mid City Supply at 1501 East Second Street to install perforated window film with product graphics, subject to limits that the signage occupy no more than 10% of the wall and a combined total not exceed 100 square feet.
Douglas A. Merritt, representing Mid City Supply, told the Michigan City Board of Zoning Appeals on June 9 that his company is renovating its building at 1501 East Second Street and wants to apply perforated window film to the windows facing U.S. Highway 12. "You can see out of the building from the inside of the interior, but the exterior is obscured," Merritt said, adding that the film reduces glare and interior heat and that the company would include product images on the film.
The planning department reported that window film containing advertising is treated as a wall sign under the zoning code for the M2 parcel, and recommended approval of the development-standards variance with two area conditions: the sign must not cover more than 10% of the wall facade and the total combined signage may not exceed 100 square feet. The staff report noted the site already has other wall signs and that approving the film would permit more than one wall sign on that facade if the board finds the variance standards met.
Board attorney summarized the sign rules and voting options and noted the board could approve, deny, or continue the petition. After a brief question-and-answer exchange about how the film functions and whether staff review applied, board member Kathy Stransky moved to approve the petition with the staff conditions; Brent Clender seconded. The motion passed on a roll call of members present (Ricky Jackson, Brent Clender, Kathy Stransky). One member had indicated he would abstain based on his late arrival.
Merritt thanked staff and the board; the record shows he acknowledged assistance from Dr. Dominique Edwards, the city's planning director, during the application process. The board's approval is conditioned on the size limits specified in the planning report; the petitioner must comply with the existing sign-area limits and any other standards in the ordinance.
The board did not receive public comment on the petition. The petitioner may proceed with permitting consistent with the board's conditions.
