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HomeMy WebLinkAbout532-BA DATE: March 3, 2005 TO: Board of Adjustment FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Request for variances to the maximum height requirement from 5' to 6' 9 2" and to the maximum area requirement from 20 sq. ft. to 120.56 sq. ft. for a subdivision identification sign FILE: 532-BA STAFF REPORT Carroll and Blackman, Inc., the applicant, is requesting variances to the maximum height requirement from 5' to 6' 9 2" and to the maximum area requirement from 20 sq. ft. to 120.56 sq. ft. for a subdivision identification sign located at Westfield and Major. The property is located in the Major/Dowlen/Gladys/Hwy. 105 Sign Overlay District. The Zoning Ordinance requires that subdivision identification signs not exceed 5' in height and 20 sq. ft. in area. The sign was built without an approved building permit. West Opt Development, Ltd. is developing the 230 lot Fairfield Addition. The subdivision is located 486' east of Major and is connected to Major by Westfield Avenue, a single entry collector street. The sign is located within a 10' wide median at the intersection. To either side of Westfield Avenue are commercially zoned properties. The applicant states that when these commercial properties are developed, the large building structures, parking, landscaping and identification signs will obscure the residential development from view. The applicant also states that with only a 10' wide median exposure, the sign was sized and located to provide adequate visibility from Major where the posted speed limit is 60/55 mph day/night. The sign, from ground level, is 6' 9 2" at the top of the column cap. Included within this height is an 18" planter box base. While the overall size of the sign is 120.56 sq. ft., that portion with lettering will be 3' by approximately 13'. The letters will be 18" in height. However, the entire sign structure is considered when determining the total area. In September, 2003, the Board of Adjustment approved variances to a subdivision identification sign at Village and Major. An 8' tall, 70 sq. ft. sign was permitted for the Westchase Addition. In the future, the Planning Manager will be bringing to the Planning Commission and the City Council a recommendation for changes to the Zoning Ordinance that would increase the size of subdivision identification signs. However, no recommended sizes have been determined at this time. STAFF REPORT continued The applicant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate that all three conditions necessary for approval of a variance have been met. Exhibits are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 2 . Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition . GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Carroll & Blackman, Inc. PROPERTY OWNER: West Opt Development, Inc. LOCATION: Westfield at Major Drive LEGAL DESCRIPTION 10' x 220' common area in Westfield Drive EXISTING ZONING: GC-MD-2 (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling-2) District PROPERTY SIZE: 0.05 acres, more or less EXISTING LAND USES: Street median FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: A X @- Areas determined to be outside 500-year floodplain SURROUNDING LAND USES: SURROUNDING ZONING: NORTH: Vacant GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) EAST: Vacant GC-MD SOUTH: Vacant GC-MD WEST: Boys Haven Outside city limits COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Neighborhood Growth Unit OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: None STREETS: Westfield Avenue - Collector street with an 80' wide right-of-way and a 44' pavement width DRAINAGE: Curb and gutter WATER: 10" water line SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: 10" sanitary sewer line FIRE PROTECTION: Fire protection is provided by Station #8, 6297 Highway 105 and Station #9, 7010 Gladys. ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Services are adequate.