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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-8738 Staff AnalysisFEBRUARY 27, 2012 ITEM NO.: A File No.: Z-8738 Owner: Dennis Long Applicant: James O'Brien Address: 614 President Clinton Avenue Description: North side of President Clinton Avenue, east of Sherman Street Zoned: UU Variance Requested: Variances are requested from the sign provisions of Section 36-353 and the development provisions of Section 36-342.1/36-553 to allow a projecting sign with increased projection from a building and reduced setback from property lines. 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 614 President Clinton Avenue is occupied by a two-story brick commercial building which houses Juanita's restaurant. The two-story structure is located approximately 20 feet back from the south property line. An elevated walkway extends from the sidewalk along President Clinton Avenue to the second (upper) level of the restaurant. The first level of the building is below street level. There are two (2) narrow wing walls along the east and west side property lines, extending from the building to the front (south) property line. The applicant proposes to install a projecting sign on the south end of the east wing wall, as noted on the attached photo/sketch. The sign will be approximately 20 square feet in area and overhang the sidewalk. The sign will be located 12 feet above the sidewalk and extend from the building 5 feet — 8 inches. As noted previously, the east wing wall is located on the east side property line. Section 36-353(e)(1)c. of the City's Zoning Ordinance (River Market Design Overlay District) allows projecting signs to extend a maximum of three (3) feet from FEBRUARY 27, 2012 ITEM NO.: A (CON'T. the face of a building. Section 36-553(b) requires that projecting signs be set back at least five (5) feet from any property line. Therefore, the applicant is requesting variances from these ordinance requirements to allow the projecting sign with an increased projection from the building and a decreased setback from the east side property line, extending across the front (south) property line. Staff is supportive of the requested variances to allow the projecting sign. Staff views the request as reasonable. The front wall of the restaurant building is set back at least 20 feet from the front property line, with the buildings on either side being on the property line. Additionally, other buildings further west are located along the street side property line. Therefore, the projecting sign as proposed will not be out of character with other projecting signs in the River Market area. The River Market Design Review'Committee reviewed the proposed sign on January 10, 2012. The Committee approved the sign with the following condition: a. The bottom of the sign must be at least 13 feet above the sidewalk. C. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the requested sign variances, subject to the following conditions: 1. The bottom of the sign must be at least 13 feet above the sidewalk. 2. A sign permit must be obtained. 3. A franchise permit must be obtained from the Public Works department. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (January 30, 2012) Staff informed the Board that the application needed to be deferred to the February 27, 2012 agenda based on the fact that the applicant failed to correctly notify the surrounding property owners. The item was placed on the Consent Agenda and deferred to the February 27, 2012 agenda with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (February 27, 2012) 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.