HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7080 Staff AnalysisAugust 27, 2001
Item No.: 6
File No.
Owner:
Address-
Description:
Zoned•
Variance Requested:
Justification:
Present Use of Proper
Proposed Use of Property:
Staff Report:
A. Public Works Issues:
Z-7080
Charles Phillip Boyd, Jr.
1309-1317 Cantrell Road
Lot 5, Weeks Subdivision of Block
359, Original City
O-3
Variances are requested from the
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sign height and area provisionsl'of
Section 36-553.
The applicant's justification is
presented in an attached letter.
Law Firm and parking lot
Law Firm and parking lot
No issues related to this sign variance.
B. Landscape Review:
Boyd Law Firm is located in the 1890's structure located on
the 0-3 zoned property at 1317 Cantrell Road. The law firm
has recently purchased the adjacent 0-3 zoned property at
1309 Cantrell Road. That property had previously been
occupied by a sign manufacturing business. The sign company
buildings have been removed. The applicant will develop a
parking lot on the property to serve the adjacent law firm.
Additionally, the applicant proposes to place a new ground -
mounted sign on the newly acquired lot. Since the two lots
will be developed as a single use, they will be considered a
"zoning lot" and the new sign will not be an off -premise
sign. The new sign is proposed to be 10 feet in height and
will have a total area (including sign face and brick frame)
of approximately 80 square feet. The sign code limits
August 21, 2001
Item No.: 6 (Cont.
ground -mounted signs in the office zone to 6 feet in height
and 64 square feet.
Staff is supportive of the requested variance. The actual
sign area itself is 77" X 100" (53.31 square feet), below
the allowable area of 64 square feet. It is the addition of
the decorative, brick support that pushes the area up to 80
square feet. The property consists of two lots which have
been combined into 1 use. The one sign is less obtrusive
than if each lot had its own sign. The property fronts onto
a highly trafficked arterial street. A somewhat greater
degree of visibility is desirable as clients search out the
site while negotiating the fast moving, congested roadway.
It is also for this purpose that staff believes the final
location of the sign must be approved by Traffic Engineering
prior to the issuance of a sign permit. The site is near
the convergence of Cantrell Road and LaHarpe Blvd., at the
Baring Cross railroad bridge. Visibility can be an issue if
the sign is not properly placed.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested sign height and
area variances subject to final approval being received from
the Traffic Engineer prior to the issuance of a sign permit.
Permits must be obtained prior to placement of the sign on
the property.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:
(AUGUST 27, 2001)
The applicant was present. There were no objectors present.
Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval subject
to the condition outlined in the "Staff Recommendation" above.
The applicant offered no additional comments.
The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as
recommended by staff. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 noes and 0 absent.
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