HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT
Project Manager: Molly Hitchcock Date: August 3, 2004
Email: mhitchcock @cstx.gov
APPLICANT: David Watkins of Perkins & Will /CRA
REQUEST: Sign Variances
LOCATION: 1604 Rock Prairie Road (College Station Medical Center)
PURPOSE: For one additional freestanding sign.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Status of Applicant: Architect
Property Owner: College Station Medical Center
Applicable
Ordinance Section: UDO Section 7.41 Sign Standards
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Zoning and Land Use:
Subject Property: C -1 General Commercial developed as a hospital and medical offices
West: R -1 Single Family Residential developed as park and undeveloped R -1
East: C -1 developed as a shopping center and vehicle inspection facility and
undeveloped C -1
South: A -O Agricultural Open developed as a municipal facility and
undeveloped A -O
Frontage: Rock Prairie Road (major arterial) and Birmingham Road (minor
collector)
Access: Via Rock Prairie Road
Via Birmingham has been approved and is being built
Topography & Relatively flat and landscaped. The hospital site is at a greater elevation
Vegetation: than Rock Prairie Road.
Flood Plain: N/A
VARIANCE INFORMATION
Background The College Station Medical Center facility began development in
1983. The Zoning Ordinance in effect at that time reflected the sign
regulations of today —that each commercial building plot is allowed
one freestanding sign or any number of low profile signs as long as
they are a minimum of 150 feet apart along the frontage.
In 1986, the ZBA granted the hospital's land a sign variance to allow
three freestanding signs. There is one freestanding sign located at
each entrance from Rock Prairie Road. The applicant is requesting
an additional freestanding sign for a new entrance off of Birmingham
Road.
ANALYSIS
Special Conditions: The special condition stated in the motion for a variance in the
previous ZBA hearing was that "a Conditional Use permit was
granted to construct the hospital facility in this area requiring
directional signs for access to the property ".
Hardships: The applicant has stated that a need exists to identify the hospital
entrance along Birmingham for patients seeking medical attention.
Alternatives: The only alternative to a freestanding sign on Birmingham is a
directional traffic control sign. The ordinance allows one per
driveway and they are limited to three square feet in area (50% or
less being copy or logo), four feet in height, and set back four feet
from the right -of -way.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Ordinance Intent: To establish clear and unambiguous regulations pertaining to signs in
the City of College Station and to promote an attractive community,
foster traffic safety, and enhance the effective communication and
exchange of ideas and communicate information.
Similar Requests: As previously stated, the subject property was previously granted
variances to place one freestanding sign at each of the three
driveways on Rock Prairie Road.
Number of Property
Owners Notified: 18
Responses Received: None as of date of staff report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Application
3. Sign Proposals
4. Site Plan