HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneoussic/forms/assist
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May 26, 1994
REAL
May Larry Ringer
City o `C_ollege Station
1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, Texas 77840
Dear Mayor Rimer:
In an attempt to assist with the efforts by the. City of College Station to adopt new
standards for streetscape and other beautification enhancements of new developments, I write this
letter to discuss a conflict which I feel exists. I became aware of this conflict through an incident
regarding. our streetscape efforts and the current set. back. requirements .for residential .signs. A
recent experience we had in attempting to tie our. subdivision. signage .for the new. Devonshire
Subdivision in with the extensive landscaping we planted a few weeks earlier on Victoria Avenue,
surprised us at how the set back requirements appeared to negate he beautification efforts of the
City.
Myrad designed the Devonshire signs so .that they would complement the landscaping and
appear as a natural continuation of the overall streetscape. The location of the subdivision signs
at Victoria Avenue and Shire Drive.(one sign on each side of Shire. Drive,. across from each other)
presented achallenge-because of the opography. One side of the street is several feet above the
other... The current City ordinance requires subdivision signs to be set back 21 feet from the curb,
which means ten feet. off the right of way. Streetscapes, of course, are located in the right of way
or on the. property line as they are usually meant. to soften the appearance of a wooden fence built
by the homeowner on the property line.
The conflict became apparent when we were told. our signs had to be teri feet back from
the streetscape we were connecting with. Assuming that once we explained our purpose, it would
be logical to receive a variance. from the Zoning Board of Adjustments, we requested that 'the City
allow us to build our signs five feet from the. right of way, so that we could. offer a natural
continuation of the streetscape.. Additionally, the five foot variance allowed us to avoid .some of
the extreme sloping of one side of the street. Surprisingly, we were not only denied our request,
but treated as if we had ulterior motives for requesting .such a variance. It was an unpleasant
experience that we do not want to repeat. We are complying. with the existing. ordinance for our
Devonshire signs, but do not feel that they will look as appealing as they could have looked had
we been granted the variance.
College Sta~ion: 1405 ?exas Avenue South, Suite 308, College Station, Texas 77$40 + 409/694-2024 • Fax: 4091694.2108 • Mobile: 409 / 268-5714
Austin Office: 5810 Tam Wooten Drive, Ausein, Tezas 78731 • 512.1472-2333! Fax: 511./338-1115 • Mobile: 51? 1117.3072
Cm~serwarm u a ware n(harmnny fxrween men and land.
-Aldo LeuExdd
Mayor Larry Ringer
June 1, 1994
Page 2
Our new subdivision, Elm. Crest, located on Welsh Avenue poses a similar problem. Our
..plan is to build a brick wall on the property line and landscape in front of the wall, in the night of
way. This will be similar to Rock Prairie .Road except the fencing behind the landscaping will be
brick instead of wood and the shrubs will be less dense. signage for Elm Crest will be brick and
granite,: and inset into the brick wall. We have been told by the City that. our signage will have to
be ten feet off of the`right of way, making it ten feet behind the wall. This'does not make sense to
us.
Throughout the City of College Station brick walls with. subdivision signage have been
built that are in violation of this ordinance. We, however,.wantto comply with all ordinances and
will not intentionally build in violation. of these ordinances.. We do not wish to .repeat ou:r prior
experience of appearing. in front. of the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Correct procedure calls for
us to appear, request and explain our need for a variance. While .following procedure, our
motives and integrity were questioned.
This dilemma could best be solved by a change in the existing ordinance, allowing
subdivision signage to be erected on he property line or in the right of way when it ties into
streetscaping. Subdivision signage is important to the residents of the area. and .serves many
purposes. We feel that designing the ignage to be-a part of the overall streetscape benefts the
whole area and encourages developers to put thought into the aesthetic appeal of the. entire street.
We request that -the council consider changing the ordinance to be consistent with their
efforts in beautifying .the City of College Station. If we can answer any questions or provide
additional information to assist in your consideration of this request, please contact us. We-will
wait until the council has indicated its direction before constructing or installing any streetscape
for the Elm Crest Subdivision.
Respectfully submitted,
~~
_f',, r ~~~~ks
f '!'
Myra Beth Whatley
MBW/tjb '
cep Tom Brymer, Assistant City Manager, Community Services
Jim Calloway, Director Economic & Development Services
~/Ms. Sabine Kuenzel, StaffPlanner
Printed by J Callaway 6j24/94 11:29am
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From: R Ragland
To: J Callaway, J Kee, T Brymer
..__r_wrwwrr_..w_rr___rr..r.~____..w__rr_rrrr
-===PHONE NOTE===-~~=-= 6j24/94 9:57am=
CALLER:
COMPANY:
PHONE:
wwr rrrr r.wrrr wrTrrw~.Y rrrrrrr ~..r rrwwrrr rrrrr
MESSAGE: Council Inquiry, i,arry
Marriot, wants to knew the status of
the request from Dan Bensimons
regarding getting an ordinance change
to allots the building of a brick fence
and subdivison entry marker in the.
Elmcrest subd. Please let me know what
is being. done and when Myraid can
expect some action?
rwrr_ r r.._,~r_rrrrrr__rrTr_rrrrr_r_rrr,._
Please call [ ] Returned call ~
URGENT [ ] Will call again [ ]
--- ~~"
1
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12.3 GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. BUILDING PERMITS: A permit shall be required for the following types of signs:
Apartment/Condominium/Mobile Home Parkldentification Signs
Attached Signs
Development Signs
Freestanding Signs
Roof Signs
Subdivision and Area Identification Signs
Permits shall be issued by the Building Official with approval by the Zoning Official upon
receipt of a properly completed application which demonstrates that the applicant's request
is in accordance with the provisions of this section and the City's Building .Code. The fee
forsuch permits shall be established by the City. Council from time to time by resolution.
No permit shall be required for the following signs:
Real Estate, Finance and Construction Signs
Directional. Traffic Control .Signs
Home Occupation Signs
Non-Commercial Signs
(As amended by Ordinance No. 1954 dated April 9, 1992)
B. SUBDIVISION AND AREA.. IDENTIFICATION SIGN: Area Identification signs shall be
permitted upon private property in any zone to identify subdivisions of ten- (10) to fifty (50)
acres in size and subject to the requirements set forth in Table II. Area Identification signs
may also be used within a large subdivision to identify distinct areas within that subdivi-
sion, subjecfto the requirements in Table II.
Subdivision igns shall be permitted upon private .property in any zone to identify subdivi-
sions of greater than fifty (50) acres, subject to the requirements set forth in Table IL
' ' ' Both area identifica-
tion and subdivision signs may be permitted upon the City's right-of-way vmith the
prior written approval of the. City Engineer or must be located on the premises. as
identified by a preliminaryor masterpreliminary plat of the ubdivision. Subdivision
signs will be permitted only at r intersections on the perimeter of the subdivision
At each intersection either one or two
subdivision signs may be permitted so long as the total area of the signs does not exceed
150 square feet. Banners or flags may be utilized as subdivision identification signs but the `
overall height shall not exceed sixty (60) feet.
(As amended by Ordinance No. dated .1994)
Indirect lighting is permissible 'but no optical effects, moving parts or alternating, erratic or
flashing. lights shall. be permitted. Landscaping valued. at 250 points (as described in Section 11
of the Zoning Ordinance) shall be installed around each subdivision sign. Adequate arrange-
ments for permanent maintenance of all signs and any landscaping in conjunction with such
signs shall be ,made, which may be through an owners association if one exists or is created Yor
this purpose.
C. APARTMENT/CONDOMINIUM/MOBILE HOME PARK. IDENTIFICATION SIGN: An apart-
ment/condominium/mobile home' park identification sign may be either an attached. sign or a
freestanding sign, It shall be placed upon the private property of a particular multi-family project
in an R4, R5 or R6 zone or' mobile home park in an R7 zone subject to the requirements set
forth in Table II. The apartment/condominium/mobile home park identification sign shall list the
name and facilities available and may have leasing or sales information incorporated as a part
of the sign. An apartment or condominium project must have a minimum of 24 dwelling units to
qualify for an .identification sign. Indirect .lighting is permissible, but no optical effects, moving
parts, or alternating, erratic br flashing lights or devices shall be permitted. Any mobile home
parks existing at the time of this ordinance that are non-conforming may still utilize. an identifi-
cation sign meeting the provisions of this section and Table II,.
(As amended.by Ordinance No. 1695 dated February 12, 1987)
js/c/july94/zoneord
MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Zoning. Commission
FROM:: Joey Dunn, .Staff Planner
DATE: July 15, 1994
RE: Subdivision and Area Identification Sign Ordinance
Amendment
Myrad Development Group has requested review and revision of subdivision and area identification sign
regulations to provide more flexibility for their location. The current ordinance. allows such signs to be
placed only on private property with a 10' setback distance from the city right-of--way.
Staff has no problem with this request and has drafted an amendment to Section 12.3(B} of the Zoning
Ordinance to allow subdivision and area identification signs in city right-of--way with City Engineer
approval. In addition, Table II has been altered to remove the 10' setback requirement.
' _ _ C.-.~r'1~~~...d
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• CITY OF COLLEGE STATIOI`I s ~.a~.
LEGAL' DEPARTMENT
~`~ ~ ~
POST OFFICE BOX 9960 1101TEXAS,A ,,~~ i, `
_ ~_~
- 60 ;~.
XAS 77842 99 i
COLLEGE STATION, TE
07 e..
409 76435
MEMORANDUM
TO; s '' .~L~1~.~
FROM: Cathy Locke, City Attorney
RE:
DATE: ~.,~~"I
Your .request has been received by the Legal.. Department. We have numerous
..requests pending at this time. In order to .accomplish all the work we :.have, it wily `be
necessary for us to prioritize departmental :requests. As of this time, the tatus of your
request is as follows:
Your request has note been assigned to an attorney, but will be assigned as soon
as possible.
Your request figs been assigned to ~~ ~.~?~~ A ' ~~~e~ J
-~/1f the attorney needs more information, you will be contacted.
If you feel that the Legal Department .needs. more information to prioritize.. your request,
please make sure that information is noted on the request or provide-further written
support.'
We wit provide you with the legal support you requested as soon as possible.: Please
understand that there are numerous competing needs.
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Cmtiervation u a state o(fWnnnnv Fztwecn rnen and Innd
-,pia„ ~e„~t,ia May 26, 1994
~'
REAL ESTATE INC.
,~
Mayor Larry Ringer
City o"~~ollege Station
1101 Texas Avenue:
College Sta n, Texas 77i~~0
Dear Mayor Rin r:
In an attempt to assist' .with the efforts by the City of College. Station to adopt new
standards for streetscape and other beautification enhancements of new developments, I write this
'~ letter to discuss a conflict which. I feel exists. I became aware of this conflict. through an incident
regarding our streetscape efforts and -the current set backrequirements for residential signs. A
' recent experience we had in .attempting to tie our subdivision signage for. the new Devonshire
Subdivision in with the extensive landscaping we planted a few weeks earlier on Victoria Avenue,
surprised us at how the set back requirements appeared to negate the beautification efforts of the
City.
'' Myrad designed the Devonshire signs so that they would complement the landscaping and
appear as a natural continuation of the overall streetscape. The location of the subdivision signs
at Victoria Avenue and Shire Drive (one sign on each side of Shire Drive, across from each other)
presented a challenge because. rf he topography. One side of the street is several. feet above the
other. The current City ordinance requires subdivision signs to be-set back 21 feet from the curb,
which means ten feet off the right of way. ;Streetscapes, of course, are located in the right of way
or on the property line as they are usually-meant to soften the appearance of a wooden fence built
by-the homeowner on the .property line.
The conflict became apparent when we were told our signs had to be ten feet back from
the streetscape we were connecting with. Assuming that once we explained our purpose, it would
be logical to receive a variancefrom the Zoning Board of Adjustments, we requested that the City
allow. us to build our signs five feet from the right of way, so that we could offer a natural
continuation of the streetscape. Additionally, the five foot variance. allowed us to avoid some of
the extreme sloping, of one side of the street. Surprisingly, we were not only denied our request,
but treated as if we had ulterior motives for requesting such a variance. It .was an unpleasant
experience that we do not. want to repeat. We are complying with the existing ordinance for our
Devonshire signs, but do not feel that they will look as appealing as they could have looked had
we been granted the variance.
College Siation: 2405 Texas Avenue South, Suite 308, College Station, Texas 77840 • 409J694-2024• Fax: 409J694.2108 • Mobile: 409J268-5714
..Austin Office: 5810 Tom Wooten Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 • 512 J472-2333 • Fax: 512 J338.1225 • Mobile:512 J217.3072
.:
Mayor Larry Ringer
..June 1, 1994
Page 2
Our new subdivision, Elm Crest, located on Welsh Avenue poses a similar problem. Our
plan is to build a brick wall on the property line and: landscape in front of the wall; in the right of
way. This will be similar to Rock Prairie Road except the fencing behind the landscaping will be
.brick instead of wood and the shrubs will be less dense. Signage for: Elm Crest will be brick and
granite, and inset into the brick wall. We have been told by the City that our signage will have to
be ten feet. off of the right of way, making. it ten feet behind the wall. This does not make sense to
us.
Throughout the City of College .Station brick walls with subdivision signage. have been
bailt that are in violation of this ordinance. We, however, want to comply with all ordinances and
will not intentionally build in violation of these ordinances. We do not wish to repeat ourprior
experience of appearing in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Correct;procedure calls for
us to appear, request and. explain: our need for a variance: While following procedure, our
motives and integrity were questioned.
This dilemma could best be solved by a change in the existing ordinance, allowing
subdivision signage to be erected on the property line or in the :right of way when it tries into
streetscaping. Subdivision signage is important to the residents. of the area and. serves many
purposes. We feel that designing the signage to be a part. of the overall streetscape benefits the
whole area and encourages developers to put thought into the aesthetic appeal of the entire street.
We request that the council consider changing the ordinance to be consistent with their
efforts in beautifying the City of College Station.. If we can answer any questions or provide
additional information o assist in your consideration of this. request; please contact us. 'We will
wait until the council has indidated its direction before constructing or installing ,any str~etscape
for the Elm Crest Subdivision:
Respectfully submitted,
~~' ~' -
_~~ ~~k
t~ G tG
Myra Beth Whatley
MBW/tjb
cc: Tom Brymer, Assistant City Manager; Community Services
~im Calloway, Director Economic & Development Services
Ms. Sabine: Kuenzel, StaffPlanner
12.3 GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. BUILDING PERMITS: A permit shall be required .for the following types of signs:
ApartmentlCondominium/Mobile Home Park Identification Signs
Attached Signs
Development Signs
freestanding Signs
Roof Signs
Subdivision and Area Identification Signs
Permits shall be issued by the Building Official with approval by the Zoning Official upon
receipt of a .properly. completed application which demonstrates that the applicant's request
is in accordance with the provisions of this section and the City's Building Code. The fee
for such permits shall be established by the City Council from time to time by resolution.
No permit shall be required for the following signs:
Real Estate, Finance and Construction Signs.
Directional Traffic Control Signs
Home Occupation Signs
Non-Commercial Signs
(As amended by Ordinance No. 1954 dated April 9,1992)
B. SUBDIVISION AND AREA IDENTIFICATION SIGN: Area Identification signs shall be
permitted upon private property in any zone to identify subdivisions of ten (10) to ififty (50)
acres in .size and.. subject to the requirements_set forth in Table IL-fkreaanderrtifrcafivm---
Subdivision to identify
Table IL
Subdivision signs shal
lions of~reaterthan fi
~"~
'Area Identification signs may also be used within a large
listinct areas within that subdivision,. subject to the requirements in
be permitted upon private. property in any zone to identify subdivi-
t (50)-acres sul2 gt to the re uirements set forth in Table III. ~.e~--
4 •+ ~
S-r~@1`1'fl-
. Subdivision signs will be
permitted only. at r intersections on the perimeter of the subdivision (~te~sestien-s#
). At each intersection either one or two subdivision signs..
may be permitted so long as the total area of the signs does not exceed .150 square feet._
Banners or flags may be utilized as subdivision identification signs but the overall height
shall not exceed sixty (60) feet.
(As amended by Ordinance No, dated .1994)
C.
Indirect lighting is_ permissible but no_ optical effects, moving parts or alternating... erratic or
flashing I _ ion 11
of the Zi ~~ t'~ CTS- ~rz-N-~G tND~L.P ~~ = asugch
ments fo
signs shy ~ ~~,~~- X2.3 B ted for
this purpr '3
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js/c/july94/zoneord
_.,, ~-•
~„
~j CITY OF COLLEGE STATIOI`I
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
1101 TEXAS AVENUE
/ POST OFFICE BOX 9960
CpILEGE STATION, TEXAS 77842-9960
(409) 7643507
N ~ .~,~_
~~
MEMORANDUM
To~ ~~~hvn st. ~ ~~;~
I
FROM: Cathy Locke, City Attorney
RE:
DATE: ~ GI'S~
Your request- has.. been received by the Legal .Department. We have .numerous
requests pending at this time. _ In order #o accomplish all the work we have, it will be
necessary for us to'priortize departmental requests. As of this time, the status of your
request'is as follows
Your request has not been assigned to an attorney, but wi11 be assigned as soon
as possible.
_1,~-Your request has been assigned to ~~ ~it~.~. ~~i~I
If the attorney needs more information, you wi l be .contacted.
if you feel that the Legal Department needs more information to prioritize your request,
please make sure .that information is noted on the request or provide further written
support,
We will provide you with the legat support you requested as soon as possible. IPlease
understand'thatchere are numerous competing needs.
CL:di
cc:
03109/94
d~c/winwordlform
/s/c/forms/assist
0?/01 ~'9~l
Printed by J Callaway. 6J24/94 2:47pm
From: R Ragland
To: ~' Callaway,. ~ Kee, T Brymer
----=PHONE NOTE-==~_=_=-= 5/24/94. 9:5?am=
CALLER:
CoMPANX:
PTiONE e
MESSAGE: Council Inquiry, Larry
Marriat, wants to know the status of
the request :from Dan Bensamons
regarding getting an ordinance change
to aliaw the building of a brick fence
and subdivason entry marker in the
Elmcrest subd. Please let me know what
as being done and when Myrad-can
expect some action?
=Fwd by: J Callaway=--__-_.~_____________
Fwd to : 12 Ragland
CC: E Ash, J Kee:, T Brymer
NNNNMwu'N NNNNAr NN wrN.N.N NN N.w irNAIIV NNNMNtiN,v MwN NIYN
An ordinance amendment as necessary to
fall their .request- Jane has assigned
this to Sabine and Joey... It is a basic
amendment but has to go through al the
notification periods. It wa11 take
approx. 2 months.. The scheduang wall
be finalized at the Monday planning
staff...meetanq.
Please call [` ] :Returned call [ 3
URGENT [ ] will; call again [ ]
rtrrr..~...++....~....~~.e.w.+...--.,~.r.+~-rte.. +-~...--..r ~..w-e+r....-.... r
~~'• CITY OF COLLEGE STATI01`I
`~ PLANNING DIVISION
®/ POST OFFICE BOX 9960 1101 TEXAS AVENUE
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77842-9960
(409)764-3570
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 28, 1994
TO: Planning & Zoning Commission
FROM: Jane R. Kee, City Planner
RE: Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment '.
The sign ordinance, Section 12 of the Zoning Ordinance, was put together by a .committee of
citizens and staff. It-was. developed over a two year period and adopted by Council in 1984. I
could. find nothing specific in the file that dealt with the 10' setback for the subdivision signs. If
you look at Table II of that Section you will notice that there was a general minimum setback for
all signs .from the.. ROW of 10'. You will also notice that there are some allowances for signs in
the ROW; ie: traffic directional signs may be in the ROW with City staff .approval.. 7Chey are
limited in size and can be no closer than 4' to the curb, political signs may be in the ROW all the
way up to the curb if less than 2 square feet and must be 10' from the curb if larger. No sign of
any significant size is allowed within- the ROW without the approval of the City. The location
would not be approved if there were any utility conflicts or problems with traffic sight distance.
As our Streetscape regulations allow for planting within the right-of-way and our sign regulations
call for landscaping to be placed around subdivision signs it makes sense that someone would
want. to incorporate the two. The proposed ordinance- amendment does not allow placement
within the right-of--way without the City's approval. It merely removes the 10 foot setback
requirement. The City will not approve a subdivision sign in any location that would impair
visibility or .interfere with utilities.. This amendment allows the developer and the City some
flexibility in sign placement.
~~ ~~.
• SIT Y OF` CC~I_. L AGE ST~T IC)I`I
PLANNING DIVISION
Post Office Box 9960• 1101 Texas Avenue
College Station., Texas 7.7842-0.960
(409} ..7.64-.3570
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
nn r ~~~
.Sabine Kuenzel Staff Pla e
FROM: ,
DATE: August 5, .1994
RE: Subdivision sign amendment
'' At the meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission that .took place last evening, the
Commission considered the previously tabled amendment to the subdivision .regulations. That
draft essentially removed the 10' setback. from the Right -of-Way requirement and. would even
have allowed these signs within .City ROW with` City Engineer approval. The Commission did
not favor allowing signs in the ROW because of possible maintenance issues and because of a
concern for-inconsistent sbn placement decisions.
Before any vote was taken, therefore, the Commission changed the wording of the draft to
remove language that would allow signs within City ROW, The group then considered the
revised .draft;. which would. merely remove the current requirement that the signs be set back
10' from the. ROW line, but would still require ubdivision signs on private property.
The revised draft was turned down by a 3 to 4 vote. A subsequent motion to l~;ave the
ordinance as it currently reads today was approved by a vote of 5 to 2.
ICI
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