HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6921-B Staff AnalysisJune 25, 2001
Item No.: 5
File No. Z -6921-A
Owner: System Capital Real Property
Corporation
Address: 8710 Fourche Dam Pike
Description: Lot 2B of the replat of Lot 2,
River Subdivision
Zoned: C-3
Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the
wall sign provisions as defined in
Section 36-530.
Justification: The applicant's justification is
presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Restaurant
Proposed Use of Proper : Restaurant
Staff Report :
A. Public Works Issues:
No issues related to this sign variance.
B. Landscape Review:
A new McDonald's Restaurant has recently been constructed on
the C-3 zoned property at 8710 Fourche Dam Pike. Mansard
Signs were mounted on structure. The signs consist of
individual letters attached by supports to the mansards.
The signs are located 18 V" from the face of the mansard at
the bottom and 3110 '411 from the face of the mansard at the
top. The code definition of wall signs, which includes
mansard signs, states the signs must not extend more than
18" from the wall/mansard of the building. The applicant
states the signs must be located as they are to allow access
to illuminated roof beams on the mansard. Moving the signs
back closer to the face of the mansard would create a
June 25, 2001
Item No.: 5 (Cont.
hardship in changing the light bulbs within the illuminated
roof beams.
Staff is uncomfortable supporting the requested variance.
While the illuminated roof beams may very well be part of
McDonald's trademark, it has not been past City policy to
permit such signs to "stick-up" above and away from mansard
roofs. In other instances, the sign owner has been required
to create a "box" behind the lettering so that the sign is
mounted flush or against a wall/mansard surface. While
acknowledging that taking such action in this particular
case would be a hardship, staff is concerned that allowing
the signs could lead to similar requests.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff cannot recommend approval of the requested variance.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(JUNE 25, 2001)
Andy Francis, Lloyd Stokes and Roland Yates were present
representing the application. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of denial.
Andy Francis addressed the Board. He described the issue and
presented photographs of the signs.
Roland Yates, construction manager for McDonald's, stated the
sign and building design were standard for McDonald's. He stated
the signs cannot be pulled back toward the mansard due to the
illuminated light beams, Mr. Yates stated all permits were
obtained, there were no issues raised when the plans were
reviewed, there are similar signs at all other McDonald's in
Little Rock and no other City requires such a variance.
Dana Carney, of the Planning Staff, responded that sign permits
are reviewed separate from building construction drawings and the
sign drawings did not show the signs to stick -out from the
mansard. Mr. Carney stated he had no response regarding the
other McDonald's in Little Rock but he would be glad to look into
the other sites. Mr. Carney reminded the Board that each City
had its own regulations and ordinances and it did not matter if
"no other City required such a variance."
2
June 25, 2001
Item No.: 5 (Cont.)
Mr. Francis stated the signs were not garish and out of the
ordinary. He stated the signs would not harm any other
properties or businesses in the area.
In response to a question from Fred Gray, Mr. Carney explained
the regulations related to wall/mansard signs.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made to approve the
variance to allow the two mansard signs, as constructed. The
motion was approved by a vote of 3 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent.
3