Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8185 Staff AnalysisMARCH 26, 2007 ITEM NO-; 7 File No.: Z-8185 Owner: TruService Community Federal Credit Union Applicant: Bill Sims Address: 11001 Hermitage Road Description: Lot 1, Office Park West Subdivision Zoned: O-3 Variance Requested: A variance is requested from the sign provisions of Section 36- 553 to allow a ground -mounted sign with increased height. Justification: The applicant's justification is presented in an attached letter. Present Use of Property: Office Proposed Use of Property: Office STAFF REPORT A. Public Works Issues: No Comments B. Staff Analysis: The 0-3 zoned property located at 11001 Hermitage Road is occupied by a one-story brick office building which houses the TruService Federal Credit Union. The property is located on the southeast corner of Hermitage Road and Office Park Drive. There is paved parking on the east side of the building with access drives from Hermitage Road and Office Park Drive. There is a drive through window on the south side of the building. The applicant is proposing to place a new ground -mounted sign at the northeast corner of the building, as noted on the attached site plan. The proposed sign will have a height of 30 feet and an area of approximately 114 square feet. MARCH 26, 2007 ITEM NO.: 7 ICON'T. Section 36-553(a)(2) of the City's Zoning Ordinance allows ground -mounted signs in the 0-3 zoning district to have maximum heights of six (6) feet and maximum areas of 64 square feet. Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances to allow the ground -mounted sign with an increased height and area. Staff is not supportive of the requested variances. Staff views the proposed sign with increased height and area as being out of character with the general area. There are existing office zoned properties immediately north, south and west of this site which have signage conforming to the ordinance requirements of Section 36-553. Additionally, the properties to the north fall within the Chenal/Financial Center Design Overlay District, which allows a maximum sign height of eight (8) feet and a maximum area of 100 square feet. While there is a taller ground -mounted sign on the restaurant property immediately to the east, this sign is approximately 100 feet back from the street and was reviewed under the PCD zoning of the property. Staff believes the proposed sign would have an adverse impact on the surrounding office properties, and could create a problem with future signage requests in this area. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends denial of the requested sign variances. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (MARCH 26, 2007) Bill Sims was present, representing the application. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the application with a recommendation of denial. Bill Sims addressed the Board in support of the application. He referenced the sign on the restaurant property immediately to the east. He explained that the area was becoming more commercial. The issue of other pole -mounted signs in the area was discussed. Chairman Francis noted agreement with staff regarding the sign being out of character with the area. There was a motion to approve the requested sign variances. The motion failed by a vote of 0 ayes, 5 nays and 0 absent. The application was denied.