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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Board of Adjustment - 2014 - 03/03 - RegularBOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SIGN CONTROL BOARD BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION rv�� Workshop and Regular Meeting CITY OF ALLEN March 3, 2014 ATTENDANCE: Board Members Present: Gene Autrey, Chairman Deborah Angell Smith, I" Vice Chair Ken Barry Joel Hemphill Kimberly Clarkson Craig Gillis Absent: City Staff Present: Ogden "Be" Bass, AICP, Director of Community Development Patrick Blaydes, Planner Kevin Laughlin, Attorney Workshop Meeting Staff held a workshop meeting about Zoning and Subdivision Regulations at 6:15 p in in the Council Conference Room, Regular Meeting With a quorum present, Chairman Autrey called the meeting to order at 7.00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway Consent Aeenda 1. Approve minutes from the January 6, 2014 Workshop meeting. Motion: Upon a Motion by I" Vice Chair Smith and a Second by Board Member Clarkson, the Board voted 6 IN FAVOR and 0 OPPOSED to approve the Consent Agenda. The Motion Carried. Regular Aeenda 2. Public Hearing— Conduct a Public Hearing and consider a request for a variance to increase the allowable copy area of a pole sign. The property is located at 401 S. Central Expressway (SV -2/19/14- 1) [Cafe Del Rio] SIGN CONTROL BOARD PAGE 2 Mr. Patrick Blaydes, Planner, presented the case. The property is located at the southeast corner of Butler Dr. and U.S. Hwy 75; also known as 401 South Central Expressway. The zoning for the property is Shopping Center SC. The request is from Cafe Del Rio. Currently, the applicant has an existing legal non -conforming sign consisting of a 150 SF graphic sign and a 50 SF manual reader board sign totaling 200 SF The applicant is proposing to remove the 50 SF manual reader board and replace it with newer technology in the form of an electronic message sign of the same size. By removing the manual reader board sign, the applicant loses its legal non -conforming status and entitlement to the additional 50 SF of pole signage. In order for the applicant to replace the old reader board with a new electronic message board sign, they must seek a variance from the Sign Control Board for the additional 50 SF If the request for a variance is denied, the applicant will continue to have the right to the manual reader board sign. Per Article ll, Section 2.03.2(1) of the ALDC, in considering requests for variations to requirements of the sign regulations, the Sign Control Board shall consider, but not be limited to, the degree of variance, the reasons for variance requested, the location of variance request, the duration of the requested variance, the effect on public safety, protection of neighborhood property, the degree of hardship or injustice involved and the effect of the variance on the general plan for signing within the City Mr. Blaydes stated that staff recommends approval of the request for several reasons. First, it replaces outdated technology Second, it addresses a non -conforming sign in Allen. Lastly, Mr Blaydes pointed out the amount of investment the applicant had put into the site already Chairman Autrey asked if there were questions from the board. Board member Barry asked if the requirements in 1994 for sign size were the same. Mr. Blaydes stated that the requirements may have been different. Board member Barry asked why the standards were changed Mr. Blaydes responded that the reasons for the change are unknown but the standards for the present are 150 square feet. Board member Barry asked about safety issues with the sign being along US H WY 75. Mr. Blaydes responded that the sign may only change once an hour and that the City can require the applicant to make changes in the brightness of the sign if safety issues arise. Board member Hemphill asked if the message can move Mr Blavdes responded that it cannot. Mr. Steve Newman, of A-ero Tec Graphics representing the applicant came forward to speak. He stated that the sign has a manual dimmer so the applicant could turn down the brightness of the sign He also stated that the sign would comply with the other standards and rules for signs in Allen regarding how often they could change and whether the display would be a distraction Vice Chair Smith asked if Mr. Newman tried to design a sign that conformed with square footage requirements in the ALDC SIGN CONTROL BOARD PAGE 3 Mr Newman stated it would be costly and include a possible re-engineering of the sign. Board member Smith stated that as long as the safety issues are addressed, the new sign does look better. Chairman Autrey stated that the new electronic sign would be easier to read then the manual reader board. Board member Gillis stated they may not need the now hiring banner below it if the electronic sign is installed. Bo Bass, Community Development Director, stated that the ordinance requires the sign to be static and change once an hour. Chairman Autrey opened the public hearing Chairman Autrey closed the public hearing. Motion: Upon a Motion by 1" Vice Chair Smith and a Second by Board Member Clarkson, the Board voted 6 IN FAVOR and 0 OPPOSED to approve the variance to increase the allowable copy area of a pole sign. The property is located at 401 S. Central Expressway. The Motion Carried. Adjournment Motion: Upon a motion by Board Member Barry and a second by 1" Vice Chair Smith the Board voted 6 I FAVOR, and 0 OPPOSED to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. and filed in the offices of the Allen Board of Adjustment, Sign Control Board, 'ds Commission this 5th of March, 2014. of Community Development The in mosapproved tiis rd day of / f�r7V�rnber^ 2014. Ge trey, airman Patrick Blaydp° �. er