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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-3915-C Staff AnalysisDECEMBER 14, 2015 ITEM NO.: 1 File No.: Owner: Applicant: Address: Description: Zoned: Z -3915-C Fletcher Realty, LLC Greg Criner, Lamar 12024 Interstate 30 North side of 1-30, south of Otter Creek Road C-4 Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section 36-556 to allow an off -premise sign with increased height. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Undeveloped Proposed Use of Property: Future Commercial Development STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No Comments. B. Staff Analysis: The C-4 zoned property at 12024 Interstate 30 is currently undeveloped and partially paved and partially gravel covered. The property was previously used as truck and trailer parking/storage for Cal Ark Trucking. Cal Ark Trucking has moved its facilities to the south, across 1-30, to the old Affiliated Foods site. The applicant proposes to construct a new off -premise billboard sign at the southwest corner of the subject property, as noted on the attached site sketch and area zoning map. The billboard is proposed to be 360 square feet in area, with a height of 45 feet. The proposed billboard will be located 45 feet back from the south (1-30 frontage) property line. Section 36-556(a)(2) of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum height of 35 feet for billboards in C-4 zoning. Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the proposed billboard with a height of 45 feet. The applicant notes that the increased height is requested due to the existing trees between the subject property and the property immediately to the west, and the existing ground -mounted sign on the property to the west. DECEMBER 14, 2015 ITEM NO.: 1 (CON'T.) Staff does not support the requested variance to allow increased billboard height. Staff does not believe the request is reasonable. The subject property is relatively flat with very little slope, as is the interstate and frontage road along the south property line. Staff feels that the existing trees and neighboring on - premise sign mentioned by the applicant will create only a minor visibility issue. This minor visibility issue will be only for east -bound 1-30 traffic. Visibility should be no issue for west -bound traffic. Staff believes that additional sign height is not justified in this case. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the requested billboard sign height variance. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT (December 14, 2015) Greg Criner and Tom Gibbens were present, representing the application. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of denial. Greg Criner, of Lamar, addressed the Board in support of the application. He noted that the variance was for a 45 foot maximum sign height. He explained that the existing trees and the on -premise sign to the west would cause visibility problems. He noted that the property owner had approved the sign location at the southwest corner of the subject property. He explained that the proposed sign would have vertical separation from the on -premise sign to the west. Tom Gibbens, of Lamar, also addressed the Board in support. He noted that 672 square feet was the maximum sign area that could be utilized, but was only requesting 360 square feet with the variance application. He explained that an off -premise sign could be 45 feet in height on nearby industrial zoned property. Robert Tucker asked why the sign had to be located at the southwest corner of the subject property. Mr. Gibbens noted that the property owner wanted the sign at the southwest corner of the property. He also explained that the sign had to be at least 1,000 feet away from another off -premise sign. Rajesh Mehta asked about allowed sign height with respect to industrial zoning. Staff noted that industrial zoning allowed a 45 foot sign height and that the nearest industrial zoning is across 1-30 to the south. There was brief additional discussion related to sign height and sign height with respect to interstate elevation. In response to a question from staff, Mr. Gibbens noted that the maximum sign area would be 360 square feet if the height variance were approved and that the sign would not be electronic. There was a motion to approve the application. The motion failed by a vote of 1 aye, 4 nays and 0 absent. The application was denied. P)