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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7616-A Staff AnalysisJULY 25, 2011 ITEM NO.: 2 File No.: Z -7616-A Owner: Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care Applicant: Jonathan M. Fuchs Address: 1020 W. 4th Street Description: Northeast Corner of W. 4th and Ringo Streets Zoned: UU Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the development (sign) provisions of Section 36-342.1 to allow placement of ground -mounted signs. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Office and Parking Proposed Use of Property: Office and Parking STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No Comments B. Staff Analysis: The UU zoned property at 1020 W. 4th Street is occupied by a multi -story office building, located at the northeast corner of W. 4th and Ringo Streets. Paved parking lots are located on the north side of the building and at the northeast corner of the building. Nonconforming gravel parking is located on the east side of the building. There is also a paved parking lot across Ringo Street to the west which serves this building. Driveways which access the parking areas are located along W. 4th, Ringo, W. 3rd and Chester Streets. A paved driveway runs along the east side of the building. The paved parking area at the northeast corner of the building contains two (2) informational signs ("AFMC building parking only"). The signs are approximately six (6) feet in height and six (6) square feet in area. There is also a similar sign frame located along the east side of the building. These informational signs have existed on the property for some time. The applicant is proposing to place two (2) additional ground signs on the property. A monument style sign is proposed within the existing landscaped area at the southwest corner of the building. This sign will be six (6) feet in height, with an area of 18 square feet. The applicant is also proposing to place an informational sign ("No Parking") along the east side of the building. This informational sign will JULY 25, 2011 ITEM NO.: 2 (CON'T.) be eight (8) feet in height and six (6) square feet in area. It will be intended to prevent parking within the non -paved area at the southeast corner of the block. Section 36-342.1(c )(11) of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows ground -mounted signs in the UU zoning district only if approved by the Board of Adjustment. Other signs are allowed as per Section 36-553(signs allowed in office zoning). Therefore, the applicant is requesting a variance to allow the two (2) ground - mounted signs as proposed. Staff supports the requested variance to allow the monument style sign at the southwest corner of the building and the informational sign ("No Parking"), if the informational sign is no taller than six (6) feet. Six (6) feet is the maximum sign height allowed in office zoning. Staff believes the signage as proposed (with slight modification) is appropriate for this large site and will not be out of character with other ground signs in the area. The property encompasses almost an entire block, and the signs as proposed will aid in identifying the building and regulating parking within the block. Staff believes the proposed signs will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties or the general area. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested variance to allow two (2) ground signs, subject to the following conditions: 1. There are to be no additional ground signs placed on the property in the future. 2. The ground signs must be located at least five (5) feet back from any property line. 3. The informational sign ("No Parking") must not exceed a height of six (6) feet. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (JULY 25, 2011) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of approval, with conditions. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and approved, as recommended by staff with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent.