HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6514-B Staff AnalysisMarch 29, 2004
File No.: Z -6514-B
Owner: LAP Holdings, LLC
Address: 2 Freeway Drive
Description: Lot 2, Freeway Business Park
Zoned: C-3
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the sign
provisions of Section 36-555 to allow a
ground sign with increased sign height and
area.
Justification:
Present Use of Property:
Proposed Use of Property:
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
1. No Comments
B. Staff Analysis:
The applicant's justification is presented
in an attached letter.
Office with showroom/warehouse
(under construction)
Office with showroom/warehouse
The C-3 zoned property at 2 Freeway Drive is occupied by a one-story
office with showroom/warehouse building which is currently under
construction. The building is constructed on two (2) lots and will contain
two (2) businesses with two (2) separate ownerships. There are two (2)
driveways from Freeway Drive which serve as access to the property.
As part of the property development, the applicant proposes to construct a
ground -mounted sign at the northwest corner of the property, adjacent to
the 1-630 right-of-way (entrance ramp). The proposed sign will have a
height of 56 feet and an area of 162 square feet. The applicant has
submitted information from White-Daters and Associates which shows
March 29, 2004
ITEM NO.: 3 Cont.
that the elevation of the proposed sign location is 45 feet below the
elevation of the east -bound centerline of 1-630.
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 on C-3 zoned property. Additionally, Section 36-557(b) contains the
following:
"Sign heights for all ground -mounted on -premises signs
located on properties immediately adjacent to and
contiguous to an expressway or freeway may be measured
from the elevation of the centerline of the traffic lanes
(excluding frontage roads) adjacent to subject property to
the top of the sign structure. It shall be the responsibility of
the sign owner to submit all necessary information when this
approach is used. The maximum allowable height in any
zone and under any condition shall be thirty-six (36) feet."
Therefore, the applicant requesting variances to allow the 162 square feet
of sign area and the 56 foot sign height. The information submitted by
White-Daters and Associates shows that the top of the proposed sign will
be approximately 11 feet above the grade of the east -bound centerline of
1-630.
Staff does not support the requested variance for increased sign height.
Although staff has no problem with the proposed sign area, staff feels that
the requested sign height is not reasonable. Based on the fact that the
new building is oriented toward Freeway Drive and Rodney Parham Road,
staff feels that a 36 foot high sign will provide adequate visibility and
identification of the business. The property is located immediately
adjacent to the 1-630 entrance ramp and not the main travel lanes. In fact
the property is located approximately 700 feet south of the main east-
bound travel lanes. Therefore, staff feels that the proposed sign will have
very little usefulness for 1-630 traffic, and should be oriented to the
adjacent local streets and not the interstate.'
C. Staff Recommendations:
Staff recommends denial of the requested variances, as filed.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MARCH 29, 2004)
Johnny Kincaid was present, representing the application. There were no
objectors present. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of denial.
2
March 29, 2004
ITEM NO.: 3
Johnny Kincaid addressed the Board in support of the application. He gave a
brief history of the business (Pettus Office Products). He noted that Pettus
Office Products is a retail business, and explained the need for the proposed
sign height. He noted that the maximum sign area would be 160 square feet.
He stated that the sign would have an electronic message portion. He submitted
photos of the proposed sign.
There was a brief discussion regarding how visible the sign would be from 1-630
and the surrounding properties. The area of the proposed sign was discussed.
Mr. Kincaid noted that the electronic message portion would be included in the
total 160 square feet.
There was additional discussion related to the sign request. Mr. Kincaid noted
that wall signs would be placed on the north side of the building if ground sign
variance was not approved. There was a brief discussion related to the photos
provided by Mr. Kincaid.
Chairman Gray asked if there was any room for compromise on the sign height.
Mr. Kincaid stated that there was not. He explained that the sign needed to be
at eye -level with the 1-630 travel lanes.
Chairman Gray commented on the issue. He explained that he supported the
variance request.
Chairman Gray called the question, for approval of the sign height variance, as
filed. The vote was 1 ayes, 3 nays and 1 recusal (Burruss). The application was
denied.
K,