Sep. 21—The Logansport Board of Zoning appeals held discussions Monday about two businesses moving into the city when the sign manufacturer for the long-anticipated Wendy's and the owners of a proposed event center asked for zoning variances.
Doug Mann of Custom Sign Center, Inc. requested variances from the city's developmental standards for signs at the new Wendy's restaurant, which will be located at 3419 E. Market St.
The BZA approved the installation of three additional signs last year when the land was owned by a different petitioner, but the company is asking for four more signs to be situated on the building. Developmental standards allow for one sign, but Wendy's plans to have seven.
The signs include the restaurant's name and logo, signage to direct customers to the delivery and pickup area, and two additional signs that state "Quality is our recipe" and "Made fresh to order." Even though the signage is the preferred style for the corporate brand, the Logansport Wendy's will still be unique.
"This happens to be the very first design in this style of building for Wendy's," Mann said. "There is no other Wendy's like this yet."
The request also asked for two additional "way finder" signs that denote the business's entrance and exit. The city's current standards allow for two way finder signs to be placed at least 10 feet behind the curb. However, Wendy's asked for two additional signs so there are two signs each for the entrance and exit. The request also asked for the signs to be placed five feet from the curb instead of 10 feet.
"These are little three foot signs — no one will see them," Mann said.
He added that the franchise owner expects Wendy's to open before the end of the year.
After thorough discussion, the BZA voted to approve the requests with conditions.
Troy and Angela Janes also submitted a variance request to the BZA. The couple is currently in the process of purchasing the historic Pollard Nelson House, and they plan to turn the first floor into a reception hall/event center.
"All of those spaces on that first floor move into each other with a nice flow, so we feel like we will be able to hold relatively large groups," Angela said.
However, the Janes said gatherings will not exceed a certain number of people. The size of gatherings will be determined after the fire marshal determines the building's maximum occupancy.
In their request, the Janes wrote that their employees will consist of their family. The building will be open for events Monday through Saturday and will be closed on Sundays. They told the BZA that they will also include kitchen space for caterers.