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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/1992 - Regular Minutes - Zoning Board of AdjustmentsMINUTES Zoning Board of Adjustment CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS January 7, 1992 7:00 P.M. n U MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Henry, Vice Chairperson Baker and Members Lane, Sawtelle, and Alternate Member Kennady. MEMBERS ABSENT: Member Yarbrough and Alternate Members DeOtte and Phinney. STAFF PRESENT: Staff Planner Kuenzel, Assistant City Attorney Coates and Planning Technician Thomas. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call to Order -Explanation and Functions of the Board. Chairman Henry called the meeting to order and explained the functions and limitations of the Board. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Approval of Minutes -Meeting of December 3, 1991. Mr. Sawtelle moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 3, 1991 as written. Ms. Baker seconded the motion which passed unopposed (5 - 0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consideration of a sign variance request to allow for the use of an existing h~' rise s' located at 425 South Texas, at the northeast corner of the intersection of Texas and University. Applicant is Brenco Marketing Corporation. Staff Planner Kuenzel presented the staff report requesting a variance to the height and area of a freestanding sign. The applicant believes that this lot is at a disadvantage in comparison to the two other gas stations in the vicinity. He believes that there is less traffic that is hindered by the medians for the Chevron and the Diamond Shamrock. The applicant believes that alternative forms of signage would decrease the number of customers to this site. The existing freestanding sign was erected before the sign regulations were in place. Because of its nonconforming status, the sign face could simply be replaced with the new logo without coming before the Board. The following is being requested: PYLON SIGN: Allowable Height 14 ft Current Height 42 ft Height Proposed 42 ft In 1986, a similar request that would have increased the height and area of the existing high • rise sign was denied due to lack of special conditions of the property. At the meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment that took place on November 19, 1991, the ZBA granted a variance for the existing fuel price sign on the corner of Texas and University. A second request that would have allowed the replacement of the capsule with the proposed Conoco box and legitimize the existing high rise sign as denied. President of Brenco Marketing, Don Broach, approached the Board and was sworn in by Chairman Henry. He submitted an outline of his presentation and traffic count information to the Board. The ob'ectives of Brenco Marketing are to introduce a new petroleum supplier to the College ~tation Retail Market, introduce automated fueling to the motoring public and to modernize the image of this key location in the community. This intersection has the highest traffic count in Brazos County. Brenco Marketing wants to keel the business open and productive through modernization. Mr. Broach proposed image enhancements of the existing high rise sign to replace the 32' Shell sign with a 28' Conoco illuminated capsule. Brenco Marketing will have a maintenance contract with Conoco on the proposed capsule. He had originally proposed to remove one of the poles of the existing ppylon sign; however, an engineer has determined that one pole will not support the sign. He suggested moving the pole closest to Texas Avenue back 15' to provide a 29' setback. Mr. Broach stated that the hardships in this case were visibility, access, restrictions by the property owner and the overall image of the station. Visibility and access are problems for traffic north bound on Texas Avenue, west bound on University Drive, and east bound on University Drive. The property owner has stipulated through a marketing agreement that the occupant may not decrease the height on either of the two existing signs. Mr. Broach concluded that Conoco has specific image requirements that all of its facilities must meet in order to carry the brand recognition and the variance requested is critical to the existence of the business. Mr. Lane stated that the traffic count information should not play a role in the Board's decision of the variance request. If there is a problem with access, the landlord should bear the responsibility to provide incentives to a prospective tenant; not the City. He added that he is uncomfortable granting a variance that will put this particular corner at an advantage • in comparison the other corners with the same use. The ZBA should not have the power to give any business such an advantage. The only hardship in this case is financial. Mr. Kennady agreed and stated that a higher sign will add clutter; and that is what the ordinance is trying to prevent. It is difficult to access all four corners of the intersection and the Shell corner has a larger entry drive than the Diamond Shamrock and Chevron. If a variance is granted, it would set a precedence for the other corners. Mr. Sawtelle agreed that the hardship was solely financial. The traffic count estimates presented were from 1989 and do not include new development along University Drive such as Randall's, Golden Corral and Black-Eyed Pea. There are other Conoco stations, as shown in the slide presentation, that are lower than the sign requested. There needs to be some sort of equity at this intersection. He added that he would like for Conoco to locate in College Station; however, the freestanding sign should be no higher the signs at the Chevron and Diamond Shamrock stations. Mike Vaughn, a representative of Brenco Marketing, approached the Board and was sworn in by Chairman Henry. He stated that reducing the square footage of the sign and relocating the poles is not creating a competitive advantage. The traffic figures presented came from the City of College Station and would only change slightly with the new development in the area. Without a variance, the site must remain a Shell station and Conoco will probably relocate to another city. Chairman Henry stated that the sign will remain because it cannot be altered without a variance. A hardship for the applicant is that they cannot install a Conoco sign. • Vice Chairperson Baker excused herself from the meeting. Assistant City Attorney Coates informed the applicant of his right to have all five members present to consider the variance request. With the four remaining members, there would have to be a unanimous vote in favor of the motion to grant the variance. If the applicant • r~ LJ ~: wishes to have all five members present, a special meeting can be called in order to consider the request. Mr. Broach stated that he would prefer all five members be present to consider the request. He suggested that a meeting be held as soon as possible due to time constraints on the part of Conoco and himself. Mr. Kennady moved to table the sign variance request at 425 South Texas, at the request of the applicant to have all five members present, until the next available meeting. Mr. Sawtelle seconded the motion which passed unopposed (4 - 0). AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Other business. Planning Technician Thomas informed the Board that the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 1991 has been cancelled. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Adjourn. Mr. Kennady moved to adjourn the meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Lane seconded the motion which passed unopposed (4 - 0). APPROVED: ~~~ hairman, re enry ATTES . Tanning echmcian, atalie homas ~t a~~a" • ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT GUEST REGISTER DATE ~ I NAME ADDRESS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. • 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. lg. 20. 21. 22. • 23• 24. 25. ~.f`~I