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Min - Board of Adjustment - 2015 - 08/03 - Regular�� BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SIGN CONTROL BOARD BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Regular Meeting CITY OF ALLEN August 3,2015 ATTENDANCE: Board Members Present: Gene Autrey, Chairman Deborah Angell Smith, I" Vice -Chair Ken Barry, 2"d Vice -Chair Kimberly Clarkson Craig Gillis Dan Metevter, Alternate Bruce Howard, Alternate Absent: Citv Staff Present: Ogden "Be" Bass, AICP, Director of Community Development Madhuri Kulkami, Planner Randy Thompson, Park Planner Call to Order and Announce a Ouorum is Present With a quorum of the Board Members present, Chairman Autrey called the meeting to order at 7.00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers Conference Room at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway. Consent Aeenda I Approve minutes from the June 29, 2015, Workshop Meeting. Motion: Upon a Motion by Board Member Howard and a second by 2"d Vice -Chair Barry, the Board voted 7 IN FAVOR and 0 OPPOSED, to approve the Consent Agenda. The Motion Carried. Reeular Aeenda 2. Sign Control Board Public Hearing — Conduct a Public Hearing and consider a request to the Sign Control Board for a variance to regulations relating to the bulk of a proposed monument sign as defined in the Allen Land Development Code, Section 7:09.2. The proposed sign is to be located on the property at 450 E. St. Mary Drive, City of Allen, Texas. (SV -7/6/15-45) [Allen Heritage Village] Ms. Madhuri Kulkamt, Planner, presented to the Board. She stated that this item is a public hearing for a variance to the bulk of the proposed monument sign at the Allen Heritage Village. The subject property is generally on the southeastern side of St Mary Dr. and Cedar Dr for the Allen Heritage Village. Surrounding development includes the Allen Station Park and the Allen Senior BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SIGN CONTROL BOARD AUGUST 3, 2015 PAGE 2 Recreation Center to the north To the east, the development includes Cottonwood Creek Crossing as well as the Cottonwood Creek Shopping Center. The area to the south and west is within the Central Business District. The sign will be a V-shaped sign and it will be incorporated into the decorative perimeter fence along St. Mary Dr. for the Allen heritage Village. The sign is considered a freestanding monument sign and meets the requirements of the Allen Land Development Code which includes the height, size, and setbacks. The sign regulations section of the Allen Land Development Code defines a freestanding monument sign as "having a low profile, made of stone, concrete, metal, brick or similar materials designed to complement the architecture of the budding or complex, mounted on a solid base." The proposed sign will not be mounted on a solid base, but rather incorporated into the decorative fence. The variation applies to the bulk of the sign. The Sign Control Board, according to the Allen Land Development Code, has the authority to grant variances for sign regulations relating to the height, area, and bulk. As a summary, the change to the monument sign is that it is not mounted on a solid base but rather incorporated into a fence. It is, thus, a change in the "bulk" aspect of the definition for which the Board has the authority to grant variances. Ms. Kulkarni stated that staff recommends approval. She also mentioned that the board can consider variance cases based on the degree of the variance, the location of the request, protection of neighborhood property, the degree of the hardship, and so on. Randy Thompson, Park Planner and the applicant, presented to the Board. Mr. Thompson stated that mainly, the concept between incorporating the fence and the sign is to create the store front as people drive by the Heritage Village. As the area includes a series of houses, the Allen Heritage Village sign will clearly identify it as a unique place. He stated that the V-shape concept came from the senior citizen center entry sign which is in line with where this sign would be. This sign will be lighted and landscaped. He stated that the sign material is cast bronze and the colors will be black and gold. He showed a wooden mockup of the fence that would be made out of metal for longevity. He stated that the concept of the fence comes from an original fence besides the train depot, The goal is to incorporate some history even though the fence itself is not historical. The fence, however, would give a feel that was originally in the City of Allen 1" Vice -Chair Smith asked whether the applicant worked for the City Mr. Thompson answered that he is the Park Planner at the City of Allen Chairman Autrey asked how much fencing there would be. Mr. Thompson answered 540 linear ft. The fence will run from the traffic bridge in three different sections along SL Mary Dr. 1" Vice -Chair Smith asked if all the fences are metal. Mr. Thompson answered that the inside portion will be treated hardwood. All the framing and pieces in the ground have concrete underneath. Mr. Thompson stated they fabricated the inside spoke area with a BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SIGN CONTROL BOARD AUGUST 3, 2015 PAGE 3 hard cedar wood treated and built the mock up to make sure the maintenance staff can easily replace them if they get broken. 2"d Vice -Chair Barry, asked exactly what the variance is and how hard it would be to build the fence without the variance. Ms. Kulkami answered that the fence is going to be built and the applicant wants to incorporate the sign inside the fence Mr. Bass, Director of Community Development, expanded that there is no provision within the Ordinance that allows people to have fences that have signs. The variance, specifically, is to the bulk. Solid monument signs are permitted. The actual variance is for the bulk because the sign is not a solid member without penetrations as it is within a fence Chairman Autrey clarified that it is like a monument signs with holes in it, and Mr. Bass agreed. I" Vice -Chair Smith asked if there is a safety issue or whether it is aesthetics for why monument signs have the "bulk" aspect. Mr. Bass replied that it is an aesthetic issue. There are strict regulations in terms of site distance and design speeds. The determination was made by City Council years ago that monument signs have to be solid. Chairman Autrey asked whether the plaque on the V-shaped sign can be red on both sides — east and west on St. Mary. Mr Thompson replied yes. I" Vice -Chair Smith asked if the sign is strong enough to withstand a teenager with a pickup plowing on the way Mr. Thompson said yes. The posts are 6 x 6 and heavy duty. The top and bottom rows are 4x4 steel and has a metal bracket inside holding the wood. 2"d Vice -Chair Barry asked if someone came over with a baseball bat, since this is cast bronze, whether the sign is indestructible. Mr. Thompson said he has not seen placards damaged that often. I" Vice -Chair Smith said that the bronze is the central part. The structure is wood with the metal, which sounds sturdy Ms. Kulkaini pointed out that other than the Planning Division, the Building and Code Division will also look at the sign, and will focus on the structural aspect. Everything else other than the bulk of the sign will have to meet the Code. Mr. Bass stated that in another City, they had stainless steel fixtures in the restrooms and someone managed to tear those up So nothing is indestructible 2"d Vice -Chair Barry asked if there were any issues with precedent, and Mr. Bass replied no. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SIGN CONTROL BOARD AUGUST 3, 2015 PAGE 4 Board Member Howard asked whether there was anv consideration to put the sign on the base front of the fence. Mr Thompson answered no. 1" Vice -Chair Smith reaffirmed that it is an aesthetic choice to keep it in line with the historical look of the railroad depot. Chairman Autrey asked what the plans are for construction. Mr Thompson stated that the fence got taken out of the current project that starts this week but they are going through this process so it is in place at the end of the project. The sign and the fence will be one of the key items for the project. Mr Thompson stated that they are having structural issues with one of the houses, which is the priority Chairman Autrey noticed that site plan noted several proposed buildings, and if that ties in with the construction of the fence. Mr Thompson stated that they are hoping to get it done all at one time. Right now they are working on the two remodels of the houses and the two parking lots, and will move on to other proposed elements as the project moves on. 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 2nd Vice -Chair Barry, the Board voted 7 IN FAVOR and 0 OPPOSED, to approve a variance to the regulations relating to the bulk of a proposed monument sign for the Allen Heritage Village. The Motion Carried. Adiournmen[ Motion: Upon a motion by Board Member Howard and a second by 2ntl Vice -Chair Barry, the Board voted 7 IN FAVOR, and 0 OPPOSED to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m. The Motion Carried. These minrepared and filed in the offices of the Allen Board of Adjustment, Sign Control Board, and uW��a.rdards Commisihis 4'" day of August, 2015 P Madhuri Kulkami, Planner Director of Community Development These minutes approved this Zvk� day of N0geVLUPC ' 2015. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SIGN CONTROL BOARD AUGUST 3, 2015 *.t,.y, airman PAGES ,4.A�,U Madhuri Kulkarm, Planner