Warsaw BZA Approves Variance For Health Services Pavilion Sign
By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — During the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held tonight, June 22, the board granted a variance for the sign located at the Health Services Pavilion, 1515 Provident Drive.
The variance request was for a larger and taller sign than allowed in a Medical-1 District. Signs are limited to a height of 8′ and 32 square feet for the sign faces. The new sign would use the existing monument, but the panel sizes for the individual businesses would increase.
“The request will not have impact on the surrounding uses,” said Johnny Latsko, assistant planner. “The lot in which the sign sits houses several different services. The current sign does not have adequate space to advertise for all of the services. An increase in size would be proportional to the number of separate offices at the location. Many signs in the area have been allowed to be larger than the sign standards in the area and this adjustment will not alter the aesthetics or character of the corridor.”
Latsko stated that the request could be viewed favorably.
Petitioner Glenn Hall, of Health Services Pavilion, was present at the meeting. He explained that in 2019, the building celebrated its 10th year at the Health Services Pavilion. Because of this celebration, the K21 Health Foundation gave the pavilion a grant to update the building.
“One of the things that were requested by the tenants was an easier, more visible sign,” said Hall. “We’re not just a physician’s office with all MD’s in it. We are 12 independently different agencies.”
Hall presented photos of other signs on Provident Drive, showing that many of the other medical facilities had similarly sized-signs.
“Our request is to have a variance from the sign ordinance so that we can adjust the size of our sign and make it more visible to those attending the pavilion,” said Hall.
Citizens who chose not to attend the meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic were still given the option to call in while watching the video’s live stream. No public comments were made.
Board Member Dan Smith made the motion to approve the request.
“Since I live over there, for years I have put up with incompetent drivers who can’t see the sign. I’m in favor of doing something so that they can read it and turn in.”
The board voted unanimously to approve the variance request.