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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7425-B Staff AnalysisMARCH 28, 2005 ITEM NO.: 2 File No.: Z -7425-B Owner: Moses -Tucker Applicant: Gusano's Pizzeria Address: 313 President Clinton Avenue Description: South side of President Clinton Avenue, between Cumberland and Rock streets. Zoned: UU Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the sign provisions of Section 36- 353 to allow a sandwich board sign which exceeds the maximum height allowed and more total signs than allowed by ordinance. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Restaurant Proposed Use of Property: Restaurant STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No Comments B. Staff Analysis: The UU zoned property at 313 President Clinton Avenue is occupied by a multi -story commercial building containing Gusano's Pizza Restaurant. The restaurant recently placed a sandwich board sign on the sidewalk in front of the business. The sandwich board sign measures 24 inches wide and 47 inches tall. The sign is the fourth for the business, as there are also three (3) awning signs. Section 36-353( c)(1)b. of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows a total of three (3) signs for each business in the River Market Design Overlay District. Section 36-353(f)(2)a. states that sandwich board signs in the River Market MARCH 28, 2005 ITEM NO.: 2 CON'T. District shall be no larger than twenty-four(24) inches wide and thirty-six(36) inches tall per face, with a total height not to exceed thirty-six(36) inches. Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances from the River Market Design Overlay District standards to allow the sandwich board sign as the fourth sign for the business, with an overall height of 47 inches. Staff is supportive of the requested variances. Staff feels the variances are reasonable. Two (2) of the three (3) existing awning signs are relatively small, with the sign on the west end of the canopy being mostly hidden by an awning which was placed on the building to the west after the sign was in place. The River Market Design Review Committee reviewed the proposed variances on January 11, 2005. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the variances associated with the sandwich board sign. A copy of the letter of approval from the River Market Design Review Committee is attached. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested variances associated with the sandwich board sign, subject to the following conditions: 1. A sign permit must be obtained for the sign. 2. A franchise permit must be obtained for the sign in the right-of-way. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MARCH 28, 2005) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval. The applicant offered no additional comments. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved as recommended by staff by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. 2 January 11, 2005 ITEM NO.: 3 Name: Gusano's Pizzeria Location: 313 President Clinton Avenue Request: Sandwich Board Sign Source: Ben Bisenthal, Gusano's Pizzeria PROPOSAL/REQUEST: The proposal is for Sandwich Board Sign at the Gusano's Pizzeria. The sandwich board measures 47" tall and 24" wide. The chalkboard measures 19.5" tall and 20" wide. Below is the text of the Sandwich Board portion of the ordinance: (f) Sandwich Board Signs (1) Location a. Sandwich board signs shall be located within the brick planting strip portion of the sidewalk. b. Signs shall not number more than one (1) per business. (2) Appearance a. Signs shall be no larger that twenty-four (24) inches wide and thirty- six (36) tall per face with a total height not to exceed thirty-six (36) inches. b. Merchants shall limit the wording on the signage to effectively use the space. c. Signs shall have a wooden frame that encases and supports the chalkboard or dry erase board. d. Signs shall be kept in a tidy and clean condition. e. All changeable letters, tacking of flyers and poster boards on signs are prohibited. (3) Signs shall not be illuminated. A franchise permit and sign permit for a permanent type sign shall be required for all sandwich board signs. The sign meets the letter of the law except that the sandwich board sign is 11" taller than the ordinance allows. The sign should be modified or replaced to meet the ordinance standards. The River Market ordinance states that no business shall have more than three signs. The addition of the sandwich board would bring the total to four signs. The western sign on the awning is shown below from various viewpoints. The addition of the Ernie Biggs's awnings immediately to the west has almost hidden the signage and vastly reduced the effectiveness of it. If this sign were removed, the need for a Board of Adjustment regarding the number of signs would not be necessary. Sandwich board front Sign on east side N I West sign underneath Sandwich board side Front sign West sign from Ernie Bigg's N I West sign underneath Sandwich board side Front sign West sign from Ernie Bigg's West sign from Afrajmex West sign from Melton Bldg entrance Applicant will be responsible for obtaining a sign permit and a franchise for the sandwich board. _STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends removal of the western sign on the awning and reduction of the size of the sandwich board. COMMITTEE ACTION: Brian Minyard, Staff, made a presentation on the sandwich board sign at the Gusano's Pizzeria. Ben Bisenthal, of Gusano's was present. Staff then noted that there were two variances needed; height of the sandwich board and the maximum number of signs. He then continued to comment on the effectiveness of the easternmost sign on the awning. Ben Bisenthal stated that the sign was given to him by Budweiser and that it was a replacement for on that was stolen. Shannon Light made the point that the text of "Budweiser' was larger that the "Gusano's" and that was promoting them more that him. Mille Ward commented that she was okay with the variances. A motion was made by Millie Ward for both variances and seconded Shannon Light by to approve the signage as presented. The motion was passes with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 noes and 1 absent. The applicant was notified that he would need to file for the Board of Adjustment.