HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7069 Staff AnalysisJuly 30, 2001
Item No.: 3
File No.: Z-7069
Owner: Simmons First National Bank
Address: 8500 West Markham Street
Description: Long Legal
Zoned: O-3
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the
sign provisions of Section 36-553.
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Justification: The applicant's justification is
presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Pra ert : Office building
Proposed Use of Property: Office building
Staff Re ort•
A. Public Works Issues:
No issues related to this sign variance.
B. Staff Analvsis:
The 0-3 zoned property at 8500 West Markham Street is
occupied by a three-story office building. The building has
housed a bank branch for many years. Simmons First National
Bank now proposes to open a branch in the building,
utilizing the area and drive-through facilities that have
historically been occupied by banks. The property has no
ground -mounted signs. Simmons proposes to erect two ground -
mounted signs on the property; one on the Markham Street
frontage and one on the Rodney Parham frontage. The signs
would specifically identify Simmons First National Bank.
The sign on the Markham Street Frontage is proposed to be
17.5 feet in height and to have an area of 70± square feet.
The sign on the Rodney Parham Frontage is to be 16 feet in
height and is to have an area of 64 square feet. The code
July 30, 2001
Item No.: 3 (Cont.)
limits the height and area of ground -mounted signs in the
office districts to 6 feet and 64 square feet respectively.
On February 18, 1974, the Board of Adjustment approved
variances allowing Union National Bank to erect two ground -
mounted signs on the p
Street Frontage was ap
15 feet in height. Th
feet in height because
pole, not the overall
Frontage was approved
in height. Again, the
in height because the
pole, not the overall
height was the result
the Board or by staff,
has a 25± year history
21± feet in height.
roperty. The sign on the Markham
proved at 36 square feet in area and
e sign was actually erected at 21±
the 15 foot height was applied to the
sign. The sign on the Rodney Parham
at 24 square feet in area and 15 feet
sign was actually erected at 21± feet
15 foot height was applied to the
sign. Whether the discrepancy in sign
of misinterpretation of the code by
the fact remains that this property
of having two ground -mounted signs at
Staff is supportive of the requested sign variances. As was
previously mentioned, the site has a history of having two
ground -mounted signs taller than the height proposed by this
application. The signs will meet or only slightly exceed
the area allowed by the code. Neither sign will appear
incompatible with the overall surrounding neighborhood.
Commercially zoned and developed properties are located
south and east of this site. Much larger signs are
permitted on those commercial properties. Staff would
prefer to see the sign proposed for the Markham Street
Frontage moved further east, away from the residential
property adjacent to the west. The previous sign on that
frontage was located approximately mid -way between the two
driveways, 100± feet away from the west property line.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested sign height and
area variances subject to compliance with the following
conditions:
1. There are to be no other ground -mounted signs on the
property other than directional signs.
2. The total height of the signs are not to exceed 17.5
feet for the sign on the Markham Street Frontage and 16
feet for the sign on the Rodney Parham Frontage.
Pq
July 30, 2001
Item No.: 3 (Cont.
3. The sign on the Markham Street Frontage is to be moved
eastward so that it is no closer than 100 feet from the
west property line.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(JULY 30, 2001)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. One
letter of opposition had been received from R. S. Peters of
11 Markbrook Lane. Staff presented the item and a recommendation
of approval subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in
the "Staff Recommendation" above.
The applicant offered no additional comments. W
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent.
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