Variance for Billboard Requested and Defeated

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The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers.

Variance for Billboard Requested and Defeated
by Norman Pace
[McANA Director for Warren Township and Chairman of Land Use Committee]

A “Variance for a Billboard” petition was heard on December 16^th at the Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals in the City of Lawrence. This is the first request for a “Variance for a Billboard” since the newly revised sign ordinance on Billboards went into effect on December 1^st, 2003.

A recap: With Mayor Bart Peterson’s endorsement, McANA supported a Moratorium on new construction of Billboards in order to focus our attention on revision of the Sign Ordinance on Billboards and other signage problems affecting the quality of life of the citizens and the neighborhoods of Indianapolis. The Metropolitan Development Commission and the City-County Council adopted a six (6) month Moratorium on new billboards permits which was scheduled to expire on December 1^st, 2003. The Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) established a 20-member Signage Committee representing all interested elements of this issue. A proposed Revision of the Sign Ordinance for Billboards was developed and submitted to the MDC and the City-County Council, which adopted it on November 17th, 2003.

This new sign ordinance on billboards is now in effect. However, this does not stop billboard companies from requesting variances for new billboards or variances for old ones that have to be removed because of widening of interstates, roads, streets, buildings, etc. The billboard companies still have the option to request variances to install new billboards and replace old billboards, regardless of what our newly revised ordinance says. The variance option is a state law and any change would have to be approved by the Indiana State Legislature.

Where does that leave neighborhoods now? It means that neighborhood organizations have to be ever vigilant in monitoring all requests for “Variances for Billboards”. McANA position is to continue to oppose variances for billboards in line with McANA’s Position Paper. So, if a request for a variance for a billboard appears in your mailbox, be sure to contact me for McANA’s assistance in your remonstrance.

Back to the Hearing: Oh, I got sidetracked on the issue and I forgot to tell you of the outcome of the Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals, City of Lawrence. Ms. Nancy Meade, Board Member of Greater Allisonville Community Council (GACC) and Board Member of McANA representing Lawrence Township; Tom Williams, President, Citizens Against Billboard Blight (CABB), Mark Rumreich, President, Indiana Lake Improvement Association; and Jerry Reighley, Oaklandon Community Development Association, plus Anne-Marie Predovich, Director, Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFÉ), and I all spoke in opposition to the proposed “Variance” for a billboard to be relocated along Pendleton Pike because of the widening of the highway. Ah, “Strength in Numbers”! The Lawrence Board of Zoning Appeals of Marion County voted six (6) “NO” to Zero “Yes”. The remonstrators won. Thanks to all of those who attended and voiced their opposition. With your support, we will continue to fight for a higher “Quality of Life” for all neighborhoods. CHARGE-E-E-E-E-E! ! ! ! !