PL PACKET 11161993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT • DATE: November 16, 1993 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Thomas D. Burt, City Manager SUBJECT: PETITION FOR SIGN VARIANCE, EWALD CONSULTING GROUP - REPRESENTING GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER, 4020 SILVER LAKE ROAD. BACKGROUND: The applicant is requesting three variances for two signs. The first variance is for an additional wall sign to -be located on the front of the building. The ordinance allows one wall sign of no more than 2 square feet of sign surface per lineal foot of business footage, up to a maximum of 150 square feet. The existing wall sign is 89 square feet and the proposed additional wall sign, to be installed above the showroom, is 52 square feet. Although the two signs are under the 150 square foot maximum the ordinance allows, the question of hardship needs to be addressed. • The applicant would also like to replace the existing ground sign, which has square footage of 17 feet 5 inches of total sign surface area with a new sign that has 62 feet 4 inches of total sign surface area. This requires a variance of 32 feet 4 inches of total sign surface area. The plans submitted do not indicate landscaping, so the bonus to surface area was not applied. A 1 foot 4 inch variance is also needed for the height of the sign. The ordinance allows a ground sign height of 5 feet. Again, since no landscape plan was submitted, the bonus was not applied. To grant these variances the primary question of hardship must be met. The wall sign clearly is not a hardship. The business does sit back from the front setback, but it is not an unreasonable amount. In addition, the existing ground sign is at the right-of-way line and provides very clear visibility. The applicant suggests that the speeds traveled and accessibility to the sight should be considered as hardship. These signs are for identification and are clearly visible. Ground signs are not considered directional signs. The issue of competition is economic and cannot be considered as a valid hardship. All other signs the applicant has. referred to have either been grandfathered-in under the old ordinance or are permitted signs. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of all variances based on no findings of hardship.