Min - Board of Adjustment - 2007 - 09/10 - Regular_SIGN CONTROL BOARD
--� Regular1
Septemberr 100,, 20 20007
CITY OF ALLEN
ATTENDANCE:
Board Members Present:
Ed McRoy
Alexander Kirk
Sall} Eeeper
Griffith Moore
frank Brown, Chair
Board Members Absent:
Greg Cavalli, Alternate
Citv Staff Present:
David Hoover, Director
thin Jones. Planner
® Pam Conway. Senior Administrative Assistant
Regular Agenda
Call to Order and Announce a Quorum is Present
With a quorum of the Board Members present, Chairman Brown called the meeting to order at
700 p.m. in the City Hall Council Conference Room at Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway
Agenda Item 1: Approve minutes from the June 4, 2007 Sign Control Board Meeting.
Agenda Item 2: Approve minutes from the June 4, 2007 Board of Adjustment
Meeting.
Chairman Brown removed the Board of Adjustment minutes from the agenda and called for a
motion to approve the June 4, 2007 Sign Control Board Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: Upon a Motion by Board Member Moore, and a Second by Board Member
Kirk, the Board voted 5 FOR and 0 OPPOSED to approve the June 4, 2007
Sign Control Board Minutes. The motion carried.
I
SIGN CONTROL BOARD
September 10, 2007
PAGE
Agenda Item 3: Public Hearing — Conduct a Public Hearing and consider a request for a
�u variance for Douglass Distributing Fina/Shell, 301 S. Central Expressway,
® Men, Texas, 75013. The request is for a variance to the current Sign
Regulations of the Allen Land Development Code, Section 7.09, Table 7.22,
to allow a pole or monument sign on McDermott Dr in addition to the pole
sign located off US75.
Acting Chairman Moore opened the Public Hearing.
Erin Jones, Planner, presented the case to the Board. Ms. Jones described the size, type and number
ol'signs allowed by the Allen Land Development Code She stated that there is an existing pole sign
located off US75 and a secondary pole sign located offMcDermott Dr. At the time of construction
both of these signs were legal under the old ordinance Ms. Jones stated that since the name of the
gas station has changed the signs are required to be brought up to current code which does not allow
for two freestanding signs. 7 he variance request was to allow the owner to maintain his existing pole
sign off McDermott Dr. or if the board would allow, replace it with a monument similar to the one
currently at the competitor's across the street while still maintaining the pole sign located off US75.
Ms Jones stated that staff recommends denial as there is not a significant hardship.
Mr. Douglass was present for any questions.
Mr. Bill Douglass addressed the board. Mr. Douglass complimented Ms. Jones on the courteous and
professional assistance she has given to him He described the reason for his request He stated that
they are changing the brand of gas to Shell The owner remains the same just the brand is changing
He stated that he is asking to maintain his existing pole sign off McDermott Dr. or if the board
would allow, he is willing to replace it with a monument similar to the one currently at the
competitor's across the street.
Board Member McRoy asked Mr. Douglass to clarify that the variance was for an additional sign.
Mr. Douglass stated that was correct. The existing pole sign is on US75 and can't be seen from
McDermott. Mr. Douglass explained how important being able to see the price of gas was to
bringing customers to his location.
Board Member Leeper stated that his best option would be to keep the pole sign located off US75
Board Member Kirk stated that the current ordinance doesn't allow two signs and requires non-
conforming sign to be brought up to the current code if the ownership or name changes.
Board Member McRoy questioned the traffic volume at that intersection Mr Hoover. Director of
Planning and Development, stated that it has the highest traffic volume in the City
Board Member McRoy questioned if that would male this case unique? Mr. Hoover agreed that
there are some unique qualities about this site. The intent of the ordinance amendments was to bring
the older non -conforming signs up to Code.
Mr. Hoover complimented Mr. Douglass for the considerable improvements he has made to the site.
SIGN CONTROL BOARD PAGE 3
September 10, 2007
Board Member Moore questioned Ms Jones if the other gas stations changed ownership or name, if
they would also be required to remove one of their signs. Ms. Jones said yes, they would.
Board Member McRoy stated that he is inclined to believe that this site does have some unique
features. There is no dominate street — both are dominate He expressed concern that the
competitors would have an edge since they have two signs and this site would only have one. Board
Member McRoy stated that he would consider allowing an additional monument sign for this site
until such a time that the competitor's monument signs were removed Then this variance would
expire and Mr. Douglass would be required to remove his second sign (a monument)
Mr. Douglass stated that would great.
Chairman Brown stated that this was Board Member McRoy's last meeting and recognized him for
his many years of service on the Board.
With no one else wishing to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
Chairman Brown stated that if this variance were to be approved, then everyone would want a
second sign. He stated he would not be in favor of granting any variance.
Board Member Moore said he thinks a monument sign is needed but will not vote against the Code
for a variance.
Board Member Kirk staled that he disagrees with the Allen Land Development Code in this
situation, but won't "legislate from the bench" by granting a variance.
MOTION: Upon a motion by Board Member Leeper and a second by Board Member
Moore, the Board voted 5 FOR 0 OPPOSED to DENY the request for a variance
to the current Sign Regulations of the Allen Land Development Code, Section
7.09, Table 7.22, to allow a pole or monument sign on McDermott Drive in
addition to the pole sign located off US75. The Motion Carried.
Ad iournmcnt
Motion: The Board adjourned the Sign Board meeting at 7:10 p.m.
H
These minutes approved this day of _ �2 2007.
r4auk-iwwlI , C aih 'roan am Conway, Sr Administrative s nt