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Case Number: |
A-16-136 |
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Applicant: |
Tom Oliver |
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Owner: |
Tom Oliver |
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Council District: |
1 |
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Location: |
45 NE Loop 410 |
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Legal Description: |
Lot , Block 19, NCB 975 |
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Zoning: |
“C-3 AHOD” General Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District |
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Case Manager: |
Shepard Beamon, Planner |
Request
A request for a 50 foot variance from the 150 foot minimum spacing requirement, as described in Section 28-241(d)(1), to allow two (2) monument signs to be 100 feet apart.
Executive Summary
The subject property is approximately 2.55 acres of land with a 16,101 sq. ft. multi-tenant commercial building on the property. Typically, one (1) freestanding sign per platted lot is permitted; however, additional freestanding signs are permitted with a minimum spacing of every one hundred fifty (150) linear feet. There are two existing signs on the property, one of which will be replaced with a newer monument sign. The two signs will be closer than the minimum 150 foot sign spacing, thus the request for a variance.
Subject Property Zoning/Land Use
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Existing Zoning |
Existing Use |
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“C-3 AHOD” General Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District |
Commercial Building |
Surrounding Zoning/Land Use
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Orientation |
Existing Zoning District(s) |
Existing Use |
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North |
“R-4 AHOD” Residential Single-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District |
Single Family Dwellings |
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South |
UZROW |
Loop 410 |
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East |
“C-3 AHOD” General Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District |
Hotel |
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West |
“C-3 AHOD” General Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District |
Commercial Building |
Comprehensive Plan Consistency/Neighborhood Association
The property is located within the boundaries of the San Antonio International Airport Vicinity Plan and currently designated as Regional Commercial in the future land use component of the plan. The subject property is not located within the boundaries of a registered neighborhood association.
Criteria for Review
Pursuant to Section 28-247 of Chapter 28: Signs and Billboards of the City Code, in order for a variance to be granted, the applicant must demonstrate:
1. The variance is necessary because strict enforcement of this article prohibits any reasonable opportunity to provide adequate signs on the site, considering the unique features of a site such as its dimensions, landscaping, or topography; or
2. A denial of the variance would probably cause a cessation of legitimate, longstanding active commercial use of the property; and
Currently, the large multi-tenant office building has very limited signage, including a brick monument sign that is less than three feet tall. The site is 243 linear feet long and, considering the placement of ingress and egress would not allow the placement of the signs at the required 150 feet.
3. After seeking one or more of the findings set forth in subparagraphs (1) and (2), the Board finds that:
A. Granting the variance does not provide the applicant with a special privilege not enjoyed by others similarly situated or potentially similarly situated.
Businesses along freeways around the city are afforded reasonable signage opportunities. Staff finds that the applicant’s request does not grant a privilege not enjoyed by other similarly situated businesses.
B. Granting the variance will not have a substantially adverse impact on neighboring properties.
It is unlikely that adjacent properties will be negatively affected by the requested variance. The sign does not interfere with clear vision, nor does the proposed sign package detract from the community.
C. Granting the variance will not substantially conflict with the stated purposes of this article.
The legislative purposes of the adopted sign regulations are to provide minimum standards to protect the general public by regulating the design, construction, location, use and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs. They are also created to ensure that businesses have the ability to reasonably market their business to the public. The proposed sign is not significantly larger than those other, similarly situated businesses enjoy. The applicant does not have the option of providing a separate sign on the property 150 feet away from the existing sign.
Alternatives to Applicant’s Request
The applicant could have one, larger sign.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends APPROVAL of A-16-136 based on the following findings:
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1. |
The proposed sign is in scale with the surrounding community; |
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2. |
The proposed sign will not increase safety risk to motorists; |
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3. |
The proposed sign will protect the scenic beauty and friendly ambiance which are essential elements in San Antonio's quality of life |