06-08-15 Agenda, Packet & Committee Meeting Notice

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Petitioners property, that property would require a rezoning from the present classification of LB Local Business District to the CB Community Business District. This was needed as an "Off- Premise Sign" cannot be located on a property zoned LB Local Business. Also, as part of the rezoning process, a few variances would be needed to place the sign as shown in relation to Public right -of -ways, existing residential zoning districts and uses and flexibility in landscaping. These variances are required, due to the fact that when a property is rezoned it must also be brought up to that Districts' development standards as they relate to any proposed improvements. More specifically the following variances are being requested: A). From the required landscaping of required perimeter yards and residential bufferyards to landscaping as shown on the site plan. The Petitioners are asking not to be required to place perimeter landscaping consisting of over -story trees placed at a maximum spacing of 40 ft. on- center along all property lines. They would ask to be allowed to use the existing landscaping to meet the intent of the ordinance as they are not doing any improvements to their property other than allowing for an Off - Premise sign to be placed as shown. Approval of this variance should not have an adverse impact on surrounding properties. B). From the required 30 ft. Front Yard setback for Off - Premise signs to a minimum of 5 ft. along Ireland Road front yard setback and to a minimum of 14 ft. along the High Street front yard setback. The proposed sign location sets it back further along Ireland Road than the present sign and takes into account the right - of -way proposed to be taken for street improvements. The request for the setback off of High Street is due to the fact the property is on a corner which requires an additional front yard setback. Being placed 14 ft. off the right -of -way will allow the sign to meet all sight safety distances. Approval of this variance should not have a negative impact on adjacent properties. Q. From the required Separation from Certain Districts and uses. The Petitioners are requesting a variance from the minimum separation of 200 feet the proposed Off - Premise sign to a minimum of 55 feet to the closest residential district on the north side of Ireland Road. The centerline of Ireland Road separates the commercial district from the residential district to the north which contains the Erskine Golf Course and may also be considered a public park. The existing sign was located slightly closer than the 55 feet. Approval of this variance should not adversely affect the surrounding properties. D). From the maximum allowed Number of Displays for Off - Premise signs of two (2) displays or messages per sign surface to a maximum of eleven (11) displays as shown. The Petitioners are requesting a variance to be allowed to have a maximum of eleven display areas for proposed Off - Premise sign. The existing sign has eleven display areas and the owners of the Erskine Plaza desire to keep that same number. The proposed sign is lower in height than the existing sign by approximately 7 feet, 35.25 ft. vs. 28.25 ft. and the sign area of the proposed sign is approximately 50 square feet smaller in size than the existing sign 235.4 sq.ft. vs. 185.50 sq.ft. The Erskine Plaza owners would ask to be allowed to have the proposed Off - Premise sign as shown as exposure to traffic along Ireland Road is important for the integrated center. The smaller tenants within the center rely on the signage to direct traffic to their businesses. When they signed the leases for the center, they signed those leases based on location and sign exposure to two of the City's major traffic arterials. The Erskine Plaza owners and the smaller tenants believe that removal of 50% of their sign exposure could have an adverse impact on their ability to remain successful at the Erskine Plaza location. They do not believe approving a variance to allow for a smaller sign, which provides sign exposure to Ireland Road, would have a detrimental effect on surrounding properties. A statement on how each of the following standards for the granting of Variances is met The Petitioners, the City and owners of Erskine Plaza would state that approval of the requested variances will allow for the City to improve an existing intersection which leads to one of the City's original integrated centers. It will increase safety for vehicles using the intersection by allowing for removal and placement of an Off - Premise sign onto private property. The approval will also allow for an established commercial center to maintain exposure along a major City arterial and continue to direct patrons to the center's many tenants from Ireland Road. The Petitioners, the City and owners of Erskine Plaza would state that the approval of the above requested Variances will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community. As envisioned, the proposed intersection improvements will provide