HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-7756 Staff AnalysisNOVEMBER 29, 2004
ITEM NO.: 15
File No.:
Owner:
Address:
Description:
Zoned:
Z-7756
The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation
608-610 President Clinton Avenue
Lot 9, Block 3, Pope's Addition
UU
Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the development provisions of
Section 36-353 associated with proposed signage, and the development provisions of
Section 36-357 to allow awnings with reduced clearance.
Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter.
Present Use of Property: Vacant Commercial Building
Proposed Use of Property: Commercial
STAFF REPORT
A. Public Works Issues:
Obtain a franchise agreement from Public Works (John Barr, 371-4646)
for the improvements located in the right-of-way. Any repair or
replacement of the awnings will require installation to meet code
clearance height of 9' over the sidewalk.
B. Staff Analysis:
The UU zoned property at 608-610 President Clinton Avenue is occupied by a
three-story masonry building with a rear basement level. The building is
located on the north side of President Clinton Avenue and backs up to
Riverfront Park. The William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Foundation offices
and Museum store recently occupied the building. With the recent building
occupancy, new awnings and wall signage has been placed on the north and
south sides of the building.
There are two (2) awnings on the south side street level of the building which
are located 7 feet -7 inches above the sidewalk. One (1) awning on the north
NOVEMBER 29, 2004
ITEM NO.: 15 (CON'T.
side basement level of the structure is 8 feet — 2 inches above the rear
walkway.
Two (2) wall signs have been placed on the building, one (1) on the north
fagade and one (1) on the south fagade. The sign on the rear of the building
will be placed above the third level windows and have an area of 24.75 feet by
21.375 inches (approximately 43 square feet). The letter size will range from
15 inches to 21.375 inches. The wall sign on the front (south side) of the
building will be located above the second floor windows and be 27.72 feet by
24 inches (approximately 55 square feet) in area. The letter size will range
from 17 inches to 24 inches.
Section 36-357(a)(3) of the City's Zoning Ordinance (River Market Design
Overlay District standards) requires awnings to have a minimum clearance of
nine (9) feet above sidewalks. Section 36-353( c)(1)a. allows wall signs to not
extend above the second floor window sill of a building. Section 36-335(
c)(2)a. allows wall signs to have a maximum area of 25 square feet. Section
36-353( c)(3)a. requires that wall sign letters not exceed 1 Y2 feet in height.
Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances from these ordinance
standards associated with the awnings and wall signage in the Clinton
Museum store building.
Staff is supportive of the requested variances. Staff believes the awnings and
signage will have no adverse impact on the adjacent properties on the overall
River Market District. As noted in paragraph A. of this report, Public Works
requires that a franchise permit be obtained for the awnings, with any future
repair or replacement of the awnings requiring installation to meet the
minimum required clearance above the sidewalk. The River Market Design
Review Committee met on November 9, 2004 and voted unanimously to
approve the proposed signage. The DRC also voted (3 ayes, 2 nays and 0
absent) to approve the awnings.
C. Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the requested variance from the River Market
Design Overlay standards, subject to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with the Public Works franchise requirement as noted in
paragraph A. of this report.
2. A sign permit must be obtained for each sign.
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NOVEMBER 29, 2004
ITEM NO.: 15 CON'T.
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.
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