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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6876-A Staff AnalysisMarch 25, 2002 ITEM NO.: 4 File No.. Owner: Address: Description: Zoned: Variance Requested: Justification: Present Use of Property: Proposed Use of Property: STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No issues. B. Staff Analvsis: Z -6876-A McDonald's Corporation 7200 West 12th Street Northeast corner of West 12th Street and Rodney Parham Road C-3 A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section 36-530 to permit three (3) wall signs which extend more than 18 inches from the wall of the building. The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Commercial Commercial The property at 7200 West 12th Street contains a newly constructed convenience store with gas pumps and a McDonald's restaurant. Three (3) mansard signs were mounted on the McDonald's portion of the structure. There are two (2) different mansard signs; one (1) being the McDonald's arches logo and the other containing the wording "McDonald's". The signs are located 21 to 30 inches from the face of the mansard at the top and 12 inches at the bottom. The City's Zoning Ordinance definition of wall signs, which includes mansard signs, states the signs must not extend more March 25, 2002 Item No.: 4 than 18 inches from the wall/mansard of the building. The applicant notes that the signs have been moved back against the mansard roof as far as possible, and that the sign cannot be moved back further and have the proper angle to be visible from the street, and maintain the integrity of the trademark McDonald's roofline . Staff does not support the requested variance. It has not been past City policy to permit signs to "stick-up" above and away from mansard roofs. In other cases, the sign owner has been required to create a "box" behind the lettering so that the sign is mounted flush or against the wall/mansard surface. While acknowledging that taking such action in this particular case might create a hardship, staff is concerned that allowing the signs could lead to similar requests. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the requested variance to allow mansard/wall signs which extend over 18 inches from the mansard/wall surface. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MARCH 25, 2002) Ben Gueren was present, representing the application. There were no persons present in opposition. Staff presented the item with a recommendation of denial. Ben Gueren addressed the Board in support of the application. He explained the signage which was placed on the building's mansard roof. He noted that the McDonald's on Fourche Dam Pike recently received a variance for similar signage. Cindy Dawson, City Attorney, noted that no precedence was set by the previous case. Mr. Gueren noted that signage increased sales at McDonald's and explained how the additional revenue would benefit the City. Chairman Ruck asked if McDonald's had ever done signs differently. Mr. Gueren explained that all of the McDonald's March 25, 2002 Item No.: 4 restaurants that he had dealt with in the past had this type of signage. A motion was made to approve the application, as filed. The motion passed by a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. The application was approved. 3