10-26-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Additionally, that a variance from the terms of this Ordinance shall not be granted unless it can be demonstrated that: a. Special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land, structure, or building involved. (1) Special conditions may include exceptional topographic or water conditions or, in the case of an existing lot or parcel of record, narrowness, shallowness, insufficient area or shape of the property. (2) Special conditions and circumstances may not be primarily economic in nature. b. Literal interpretation of the provisions of this Ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this Ordinance. c. The special conditions and circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant. d. Granting the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by this Ordinance to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district. e. Practical difficulties exist in complying with the literal terms of this Ordinance. In the case of this variance request, city staff finds that the building orientation is a special condition unique to this parcel. If the building had been situated across both parcels running north to south which is more consistent with other properties along Rice Street then they would be allowed 223 square feet of signage (i.e. 15x97 – 15% of south elevation measurement). The sign code does allow for one wall sign and one freestanding sign in the B-3 zoning district which is what the applicant is seeking. However, it is that building frontage along Rice Street that has limited their overall signage square footage allowed. Staff believes that up to 98.38 square feet of signage as requested by the applicant is in character with the area and is a reasonable square footage of signage for this parcel considering they would be allowed this amount for the parcel in the B-1 District. Recommendation City staff finds that the requested variance by Mama T’s Castle Tap at 2490 and 2500 Rice Street for an additional 18 square feet of signage in excess of that allowed by code is consistent with the B-3, General Business District. City staff also finds that the orientation of the building situated on the 2500 Rice Street parcel is unique to this request and therefore is a hardship that reduces the amount of signage allowed. City staff recommends approval of a variance for 2490 and 2500 Rice Street for total signage up to 98.38 square feet.