Min - Board of Adjustment - 2006 - 08/07 - RegularE I V_
CITY OF ALLEN
Board Members Present:
Ed McRoy, Chair
Sally Leeper
Ed Spivey
Alexander Kirk
Griffith Moore
Greg Cavalli, Alternate No. 3
Board Members Absent:
Frank Brown, Alternate No. 2
Steven Knaack, Alternate No. 4
City Staff Present:
David A. Hoover, Director of Planning
®® Lee Battle, Assistant Director of Planning
�q Pam Conway, Senior Administrative Assistant
Mike Lang, Attorney
Gary Caplinger, Council Member
Reeular Agenda
SIGN CONTROL BOARD
Regular Meeting
August 7, 2006
Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present:
With a quorum of the Board Members present, Chairman McRoy called the meeting to order at
7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway
Agenda Item 1: Approve Minutes from Special Called Meeting, July 10, 2006.
Motion: Upon a motion by Board Member Kirk and a second by Board Member
Moore, the Board voted 5 IN FAVOR, and 0 OPPOSED, to approve the
Minutes of the July 10, 2006 Special Called Meeting. The motion carried.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing for a request for a variance to the requirements for the
separation of pole signs from the Allen Land Development Code, Section
7, Table 7.23, for Holiday Inn Express
SIGN CONTROL BOARD PAGE 2
August 7, 2006
Mr. Lee Battle, Assistant Director of Planning, presented the request to the Board. Mr. Battle
reviewed the pole sign regulations from the Allen Land Development Code, described the properly
boundaries and reviewed the history of the surrounding development. Mr. Battle presented the
variance request and two possible variance options for the board's consideration:
1) Grant a variance to the separation requirement allowing the new pole sign to be in line
with the other existing pole signs, however limit the height to 30 feet in order to make the
sign visible between the existing pole signs.
2) Grant a variance to the separation requirement, however require that the new pole sign be
located approximately 15 feet west of the exiting pole signs so that it is visible and not in
line with the existing pole signs.
The Board discussed the request. Chairman McRoy questioned if the additional signage would add
additional safety to the site. Mr. Battle stated that it may help the public identify and more safely
access the site.
Board Member Spivey relayed a personal situation of family members not being able to see the
monument sign and find the hotel. He stated he would support the variance.
The Board questioned if the current monument sign on the property would have to be removed if the
variance for the pole sign was approved. Mr. Battle stated that it would be removed.
Perry Molubhoy, Atlantic Hotel Group, Ltd., (Holiday Inn Express), addressed the Board. He
reviewed the history of his purchase of the property and the affect that the 911 tragedy had on the
hotel industry He stated in 2005 they finally decided to go ahead and build the hotel. He stated that
the hotel has a very neutral color, per the land restrictions and the developer's request, so the
visibility is very low A common complaint from customers is not being able to find the building.
Board members questioned if Mr. Molubhoy had contacted Arby's to see if they would consider
moving their sign to another location on their property Then a variance for the hotel would not be
required. Mr. Molubhoy stated that they are in the process of contacting them and so far Arby's has
not responded.
The Board continued to discuss with Mr. Molubhoy alternatives to the variance. Mr. Molubhoy
described the requirements of the Holiday Inn Corporation for the wall sign, therefore, a larger sign
on the building is not possible. The Board discussed possible locations and heights for the requested
pole sign.
Chair McRoy opened the Public Hearing.
With no one wishing to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
The Board discussed their options for making a decision on the request. Board members stated that a
variance was a reasonable request and discussed which variance option would be most appropriate.
They questioned Mr. Lang, Attorney, about tabling the item. Mr. Lang stated that they can grant the
request, deny or table it.
P
SIGN CONTROL BOARD
August 7, 2006
PAGE
The Board discussed their inclination to table the request for 30 days — to their next regular meeting,
to give Mr. Molubhoy an opportunity to hear from Arby's about moving their sign.
Mr. Battle clarified that if Arby's does agree to relocate their sign, then Mr. Molubhoy will be able
to install the pole sign for Holiday Inn Express without a variance.
Motion: Upon a motion by Boardmember IUrk and a second by Boardmember
Leeper, the Board voted 4 IN FAVOR, and 1 OPPOSED, to Table the
request to the next regular meeting. Boardmember Moore was opposed. The
motion carried.
Adiournment
The Board adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
These minutes approved this ag-k day of i�c.4y�5� 1-006.
Edward McRoy, Chairman
Y
Pam Conway, Senior Adn. ssistam