HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3459-K Staff AnalysisSEPTEMBER 30, 2019
ITEM NO.: B
File No.: Z -3459-K
Owner: Home Depot USA, Inc.
Applicant: Jill Hopkins, Anchor Sign
Address: 11 Mabelvale Plaza Lane
Description: South side of Mabelvale Plaza Lane at Mabelvale Pike
Zoned: C-3
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section
36-555 to allow a ground -mounted sign with increased height.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Commercial (Home Depot Store)
Proposed Use of Property: Commercial (Home Depot Store)
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
No Comments.
B. Staff Analvsis:
The C-3 zoned property located at 11 Mabelvale Plaza Lane is occupied by an
existing Home Depot development. A large commercial building with outdoor
garden center is located within the south half of the property. Paved parking is
located with the north half of the property. Three (3) driveways from Mabelvale Plaza
Lane serve as access to the property. An existing ground -mounted sign is located
at the northwest corner of the property. The existing sign is 35 feet tall, with 160
square feet of sign area.
The applicant proposes to raise the height of the existing ground -mounted sign from
35 feet to 70 feet. The applicant notes that the proposed sign height is requested
so that the sign can be seen above the existing trees around the sign location.
Section 36-555(a)(2) of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum sign height
of 36 feet and a maximum sign area of 160 square feet for signs in commercial
zoning. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the increased sign
height of 70 feet.
Staff does not support the requested sign height variance. Staff does not view the
request as reasonable. Although there are some taller ground -mounted sign in this
SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
ITEM NO.: B (CON'T.)
Z -3459-K
general area, staff feels that the proposed sign with increased height at this location
will serve no real purpose. Given the location of existing trees, existing roadways
and the 1-30 off -ramp to the west, staff believes that the sign will have no real value
in identifying the property and directing vehicular traffic to the site.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends denial of the requested sign height variance.
Board of Adjustment
(August 26, 2019)
Jasper Burton was present, representing the application. There were no objectors
present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of denial.
Jasper Burton addressed the Board in support of the application. He explained that this
Home Depot location was having a problem with people not being able to find the store,
which was causing the store to have financial problems. He noted that the existing sign
cabinet would be re -used on the taller pole. He explained that the Home Depot
management felt that the taller sign would benefit the store. In response to a question
from the Board, Mr. Burton estimated the trees surrounding the sign location to be
approximately 50 feet tall.
Mr. Burton requested that the application be deferred to the September 30, 2019
agenda in order to prepare more information for the Board. A motion was made to defer
the application to the September 30, 2019 agenda. The vote was 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1
absent. The application was deferred.
Board of Adjustment (September 30, 2019)
Jasper Burton and Paul Ganz were present, representing the application. There were
no objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of denial.
Jasper Burton addressed the Board in support of the application. He presented photos
of the proposed sign height and explained.
Paul Ganz, District Manager for Home Depot, also spoke in support. He explained that
trees blocked the view of the existing ground sign. He explained that Home Depot had
invested in the property and needed the extra sign height to help the store by identified
by potential customers. He noted that the taller sign was needed to help grow the
business.
Chairman Allison asked if the existing trees could be cut back or removed around the
existing sign location. Mr. Ganz noted that the property owner had cut some trees, but
wished to not cut back or remove any more.
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SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
ITEM NO., B (CON71
Z -3459 -
There was a brief discussion regarding the amount of signage allowed by ordinance
along an interstate highway and the specific request.
There was a motion to approve the application. The motion passed by a vote of 3 ayes,
1 nay and 1 absent. The application was approved.
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