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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7754 Staff AnalysisNOVEMBER 29, 2004 ITEM NO.: 13 File No.: Z-7754 Owner: Walter Hussman Address: 500 President Clinton Avenue Description: North side of President Clinton Avenue at Commerce Street Zoned: UU Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the development provisions of Section 36-353 associated with proposed signage. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Mixed Commercial Uses Proposed Use of Property: STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No Issues B. Staff Analysis: Mixed Commercial Uses The UU zoned property at 500 President Clinton Avenue is occupied by the Museum Center Building. The Underground Pub restaurant occupies a portion of the building's main level at the northwest corner of the structure. Access to the restaurant is gained from St. Vincent Plaza at the west end of the building. The restaurant proposes to install a projecting sign at the northwest corner of the Museum Center building. The sign will be 24.5 square feet in area and located at the third floor level of the building, at a 135 degree angle to the west and north building facades. The projecting sign will extend approximately 5 feet -5 inches out from the corner of the building. The sign will contain the restaurant's name, logo and address, with the color being red, white and blue. Section 36-353(e)(1)b. of the City's Zoning Ordinance (River Market Design Overlay District Standards) requires that projecting signs in the River Market District not extend above the sill of second story windows. Section 36- NOVEMBER 29, 2004 NO.: 13 (CON'T. 353(e)(1)c. allows projecting signs to extend a maximum of three (3) feet from the face of the building. Section 36-353(e)(1)e. requires that projecting signs be placed at a 90 degree angle to the building. Section 36-353(e)(2)a. requires that projecting signs have a maximum area of 12 square feet per sign. Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances from these ordinance requirements to allow the projecting signs as described above and shown on the attached sketch and photos. Staff is supportive of the requested variances. Staff views the variances as relatively minor. Similar type projecting signage has been approved in the River Market District (Boscos); Therefore, the proposed sign will not be out of character with the area. Staff believes the projecting sign will have no adverse impact on the River Market District. The River Market Design Review Committee met on October 12, 2004 and recommended approval of the requested variances by a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent. As part of the DRC review, the applicant agreed to remove all sandwich board signs for the restaurant. A copy of the DRC approval letter is attached for Board of Adjustment review. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested sign variances, subject to the following conditions: 1. A sign permit must be obtained 2. A franchise permit must be obtained from the City's Public Works Department. 3. Any sandwich board signs for this business must be removed from the property. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (NOVEMBER 29, 2004) 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