HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Consideration, discussion and possible action on a sign setback
variance at 1316 Augustine Court, lot 37, block 14, Southwood Section 25 & 1801 Southwood
Drive, lot 17, block 4 Southwood Section 21. Applicant is Carol Nichols, President Bee Creek
Neighborhood Association.
Ms. Nichols told Chairman Hill that she did want to continue with this case in the absence of a Board
Member.
Staff Planner Flanery stepped before the Board and presented the star report. Ms. Flanery told the
Board that the variance is to place neighborhood area identification signs on two existing walls. This
project is part of the City's Gateway Grant Program.
This case involved two existing brick walls that are approximately 3 -feet in height and are located along
the property line. The Neighborhood Association wishes to place letters one foot in height on the
existing walls. The addition of the letters will now make the wall a sign. In order for the letters to be
placed on the wall this variance must be granted.
As a special condition the applicant states that there was not land allocated at the time of the subdivision
development for a neighborhood gateway sign that would comply with a l0 -foot setback. The existing
gateway brick walls, located on the property lines of the existing residential properties, and were
created by the developer to indicate a distinct area of the greater Southwood Subdivision.
The applicant offers the following hardship. Under current law we would not be able to mount the sign
on the existing gateway brick walls. If a sign were to be placed 10 -feet from the property line it would
visually be blocked by the existing gateway brick walls and be in the middle of a residential property
owner's front yard. If a new sign were to be built in front of the walls, the Bee Creek Neighborhood
Association would need to request a private improvement in a public right -of -way permit and the sign
would be in City ROW and would be even closer to Southwest Parkway.
Chairman Hill opened the public hearing.
Carol Nichols, the applicant, stepped before the Board and was sworn in by Chairman Hill. Ms. Nichols
told the Board that here is no place to add an additional sign and this would be the best use of city
funds.
With no one else stepping forward to speak in favor or opposition, Chairman Hill closed the public
hearing.
Mr. Goss made the motion to authorize a variance to the sign regulations from the terms of this
ordinance as it will not be contrary to the public interest due to the following unique special conditions
not generally found within the city: there was no land allocated at the time of subdivision development
for a neighborhood gateway sign that would comply with the 10 -foot setback; and because a strict
enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance would result in substantial hardship to this applicant
being: if the sign was placed 10 -feet back from the property line it would visually blocked by existing
fence; and such that the spirit of this ordinance shall be preserved and the general interests of the public
and applicant served. Mr. Birdwell seconded the motion, which passed unopposed (4 - 0).
ZBA Minutes February 4, 2003 Page 7 of 10