A new Meijer store is coming to Westfield, but developers are in the middle of a give-and-take with the city regarding signage.
At the Nov. 6 Westfield Advisory Plan Commission meeting, developer Woolpert Inc.’s request to allow the store to have a larger sign was unanimously voted down.
Woolpert is proposing waivers for two monument signs – one on Spring Mill Road and one on Ind. 32, a sign on the west side wall of the building facing Spring Mill Road, the primary sign on the northern/front wall and a sign on the back of the fueling station, which faces Ind. 32. Overall, the entire development would have 17 signs accounting for 1,557 square feet of signage.
“Our unified development ordinance permits 500 square feet of signage for this use, and the combined use (for this project) is coming in at over 1,500 square feet,” said commissioner Steve Hoover, the city’s council liaison to the plan commission. “Another place that really concerns me is the fueling station at 926 square feet. That’s nearly double (the UDO). While I understand why you want the signs, we have our ordinances for a reason, and we have forced other developers to follow our ordinances. I don’t think it’s fair to them or the rest of the community to allow someone to come in and set their own standards. While I think this body and the council will make some exceptions, what you’re asking for is more than I’m willing to accept.”
The commission’s unfavorable recommendation will be sent to the Westfield City Council, which has final say. The council will vote on the amendment request at a future meeting.
