HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6608 Staff AnalysisDecember 21, 1998
IMOM
File No.: Z-6608
Owner: Head and Engquist Equipment
Address• 2801 West 65"' Street
Description• Part of Tract 31, Little Rock
Industrial District
Zoned• I-2
Variance ReQuested: Variances are requested from the
sign height and area provisions of
Section 36-554 to permit a ground -
mounted sign exceeding allowable
area and height.
Justification: ;,Applicant's Statement: The
business moving to this location is
"Head and Engquist", a heavy
machinery dealership. They would
like for their sign to be read from
I-30, so we are pleading for you to
accept our proposal of 160 square
feet at 35 feet OAH, and grant us
the variance before you.
Head and Engquist has gone to much
time and expense to put up a
attractive building with attractive
landscaping. Less than a block
from their location are three
convenience stores with large signs
and a motel with a large pylon
sign.
The proposed sign is illuminated
and would give extra security at
night when it is illuminated.
Present Use
of
Pro ert
New building under development
Proposed Use
of
Propert
Heavy machinery sales and service
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
No issues related to this sign variance.
December 21, 1998
No.: 11 (Cont.
B. Staff Anal sis•
Head and Engquist Equipment, L.L.C., a heavy equipment
sales, service and rental business has recently completed
construction of a new facility on the I-2 zoned property
located at 2801 West 65`h Street. Head and Engquist is
requesting a variance to allow for placement of one, 35 foot
tall, 160 square foot ground -mounted sign on the property.
The code limits ground -mounted signs in the Industrial zones
to 30 feet in height and 72 square feet in area. The
property is located approximately two blocks west of the I -
30/65`h Street interchange and the applicant would like a
sign which can be read from the interstate.
The variance to allow a sign 5 feet taller than permitted by
code is minor and staff feels that it is not unreasonable.
This is a large tract and the visual perception of the
difference between a 30 foot tall sign and a 35 foot tall
sign is negligible.
The distinction between a 72 square foot sign and the
proposed 160 square foot sign is much greater. Even so,
under specific circumstances, staff can support the
requested area variance. As was previously mentioned, this
is a larger tract, with 680+ feet of frontage on West 65`h
Street. Section 36-557(c) states "in commercial and
industrial zones where a lot has in excess of one hundred
fifty (150) linear feet main street frontage, one (1)
additional on premises freestanding sign will be allowed for
each additional one hundred fifty (150) linear feet of main
street frontage. Based on this section, the subject
property is entitled to four (4), 30 foot tall, 72 square
feet ground -mounted signs. A principal purpose of the Sign
Ordinance is to reduce the proliferation of signs in the
City. Staff believes it is appropriate to allow this one
larger sign in lieu of the four signs which are permitted by
right.
Additionally, three convenience stores, a restaurant and a
hotel are located just east of the site, at the intersection
of I-30 and West 65`h Street. These uses have larger signs.
Some of these properties have taller signs due to their
direct relationship to I-30 which is elevated at this point.
The sign proposed by the applicant is not that out of
character with other signs in the area.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested sign height and
area variances to allow the proposed 35 foot tall, 160
square foot ground mounted sign subject to compliance with
the following condition:
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December 21, 1998
Item No.: 11
1. There are to be no other ground -mounted signs on this
property. -
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(DECEMBER 21, 1998)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to there being no other ground -mounted signs on the property.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 4 ayes, 0 noes, 0 absent and
1 open position.
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