Earlham Board of Adjustment fails to approve variance for 149‑square‑foot sign at 535 N. Chestnut Ave.

The Earlham Board of Adjustment on Aug. 26 declined to approve a requested variance that would have allowed a 149-square-foot, lighted sign at 535 N. Chestnut Ave.

Public Works official Gordon told the board he initially told the sign company the school property was zoned residential, where only a small sign (described as a two-by-two) was allowed. Gordon said the applicant first reported 67 square feet, then submitted an application for 149 square feet, saying, "he has 67 square feet, but then came back with 149 square feet and that is when he had to deny it." Gordon also said the sign would be lighted and that the school is handing over naming rights to the Earlham Wrestling Club, with a sponsor identified as "Ebank" providing naming rights for 15 years; the wrestling club is building a room and then donating it to the school.

The proposal prompted concerns about conflicts of interest among board members. Chair Jim Lemon said that "since it is school property Tiemeyer can not vote due to a conflict of interest" because Tiemeyer's spouse sits on the school board; Lemon also noted that he and Arnburg may have conflicts as property owners, raising the possibility that too many members were conflicted to form a quorum. Schulte asked whether the display should be treated as one 149-square-foot sign or as four separate signs that would total 67 square feet.

Board member Schulte moved to approve the variance treating the display as a single 149-square-foot sign; there was no second to that initial motion. Schulte moved again and Russell seconded. The meeting record shows that "Zeke" abstained and Chair Lemon abstained; the motion did not pass due to lack of quorum. The board did not record a final approved variance or any amended conditions for the sign.

The meeting proceeded to adjourn. A motion to adjourn by Schulte, seconded by Tiemeyer, passed by unanimous voice vote and the meeting ended at 7:58 p.m.