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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2013 SIGN MINUTES CITY OF THE COLONY SIGN BOARD OF APPEALS Wednesday, March 20, 2013 After determining that a quorum was present, the Sign Board of Appeals of the City of The Colony, Texas convened into Regular Session which was held on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, at which time the following items were addressed: Board Members Present: Charles Tredo, Chairperson; Donna McCright; Gerald Odum; Constance Yahwak and Stephen Edwards, Sr. Board Member Absent: none Present from Staff: Mike Joyce, AICP, Planning Director; Brooks Wilson, AICP, Senior Planner; Gordon Scruggs, Engineering Director; Jeff Connelly, City Councilman and Board of Adjustment Liaison; Brian McNuelty, Recording Secretary. 1.0 CALL REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER 1.1 CITIZEN INPUT Chairperson Tredo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He then asked if there was any citizen input on any item not on tonight's agenda. No one came forward to speak. 2.0 ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION 2.1 Consider approval of the minutes of the regular session of the February 20, 2013 Sign Board of Appeals meeting. Board Member McCright moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Board Member Edwards. The motion carried (5-0). 3.0 ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION 3.1 S'BA13-0002, Request for a Variance to the Sign Ordinance Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider approval of a Variance to the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article XI, "Signs" to allow an existing pylon sign to reface a single tenant sign in excess of the maximum 100 square feet of effective sign area, located at the northeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and Standridge Drive, 3905 S.H. 121. Ms. Wilson presented the staff report. Board Member Edwards asked if this was a new building, would the applicant need to comply with the Sign Ordinance. Ms. Wilson responded affirmatively. In order to comply with the Sign Ordinance regulations for pylon signs, the sign face would have to be reduced in height, making the sign face narrower. Sign Board of Appeals Minutes March 20, 2013 Page 2 of 3 Board Member McCright asked if any trimming of foliage that blocks the sign face is the responsibility of the City or the property owner. Ms. Wilson responded that the property owner is responsible. However, the sign face is more clearly visible from the Sam Rayburn Tollway and the frontage road than from the drive aisle where the photograph was taken. Board Member McCright asked if the current sign was reduced in in height and diameter to comply with the Sign Ordinance, would it still be visible from the Sam Rayburn Tollway. Ms. Wilson answered yes, but the area of the sign would be narrower. Ms. Wilson indicated on an exhibit the approximate lower edge of the sign should the variance be denied. Mike Joyce, Planning Director, added that the height of the sign would have to be reduced by approximately two and a half (2'/2) feet. Board Member McCright stated that even if the sign were to come into compliance, it could still be seen from the Tollway; therefore the request comes down to cost. Board Member Edwards asked the applicant if there would be a considerable cost in replacing the sign rather than replacing just the sign face. Mike Gary, representing Texas Pro Signs, 2312 Fabens Road, Dallas, Texas, answered that the estimated cost for replacing the entire sign cabinet, with electrical connections, and sign face would be between $15,000 and $20,000 while simply refacing would cost between $1,500 and $2,000. Chairman Tredo asked if the sign is illuminated. Mr. Gary answered affirmatively; that it is internally lighted. Board Member McCright asked if the owner was present. Stephanie Whitney, representing Cheers Liquors, 16910 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas, said that she was the store manager and was available to answer any questions the Board might have. Board Member McCright asked staff if by granting this variance, the other businesses in the shopping center would want to have their signs increased in size. Ms. Wilson stated that the other two businesses may want to move their signs upward on the sign supports for better visibility, but that the total sign area for these two signs plus the Cheers sign would be restricted to the 500 square foot total maximum sign area. The other businesses could not place their signs above the Cheers sign, as it is at the maximum forty (40) foot height. Board Member McCright asked staff if another pylon sign could be placed on the premises. Ms. Wilson answered that pylon signs must be located a minimum of 150 feet from one another and that only one is allowed per commercial development, according to the Sign Ordinance. Sign Board of Appeals Minutes March 20, 2013 Page 3 of 3 Chairman Tredo opened the Public Hearing. Since no one came forward to speak, Chairman Tredo closed the Public Hearing. Board Member McCright moved to recommend approval of the proposed variance; seconded Board Member Odum. The motion carried (5-0) Being no further discussion, Chairperson Tredo adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Charles Tredo,`Chairperson Brian c uelty, Recording Sec tart'