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Case Number: |
BOA-19-10300050 |
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Applicant: |
James McKnight, Brown & Ortiz |
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Owner: |
Whataburger Real Estate, LP |
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Council District: |
2 |
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Location: |
4635 Rittiman Road |
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Legal Description: |
Lot 9, NCB 16095 |
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Zoning: |
“I-1 MLOD-3 MRL-1” General Industrial Martindale Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 1 District |
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Case Manager: |
Debora Gonzalez, Senior Planner |
Request
A request for a 35 foot variance from the maximum 60 foot sign height, as described in Section 28-241, to allow for a single-tenant sign to be 95 feet tall.
Executive Summary
The subject property is located within 500 feet East of Loop 410. The sign is currently 95’ tall, which makes the sign non-conforming under Chapter 28. The applicant states that the existing sign pole is showing signs of rust and while most of the pole can be cleaned, primed and re-painted, the base of the pole must be replaced with new concrete, and the upper third portion must be replaced with new steel. While the cabinet sign will remain and be re-used, in order to replace the portions of the pole needing repair, the cabinet will have to come down. The applicant is asking to do their maintenance and repairs and leave the sign at its current height, 95’ above ground level. The area is mostly zoned industrial along Rittiman and includes restaurants, banks, and auto repair shops uses.
Code Enforcement History
On 2.5.1999 the owner obtained a sign permit.
On 11.13.2015 the owner obtained a sign permit to do maintenance work to keep the base of support from corrosion.
On 1.23.2013 the owner obtained a sign permit to reface the existing free standing pylon sign cabinet top and bottom logo and was approved by the City on 5.7.2013.
Permit History
The property owner is seeking variance to allow for sign permit to be issued.
Subject Property Zoning/Land Use
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Existing Zoning |
Existing Use |
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“I-1 MLOD-3 MRL-1” General Industrial Martindale Army Airfield Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 1 District |
Fast Food |
Surrounding Zoning/Land Use
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Orientation |
Existing Zoning District(s) |
Existing Use |
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North |
“I-1 MLOD-3 MRL-1” General Industrial Martindale Army Airfield Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 1 District |
Auto Sales and Service |
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South |
“I-1 MLOD-3 MRL-1” General Industrial Martindale Army Airfield Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 1 District |
Fast Food, Gas Station, Bank |
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East |
“I-1 MLOD-3 MRL-1” General Industrial Martindale Army Airfield Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 1 District |
Hotel |
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West |
“I-1 MLOD-3 MRL-1” General Industrial Martindale Army Airfield Military Lighting Overlay Military Lighting Region 1 District |
Hotel |
Comprehensive Plan Consistency/Neighborhood Association
The property is not currently within the boundaries of an adopted plan. The area is within the boundaries of the future Near Northeast Community Plan which is in Phase 4 of the SA Tomorrow process. The subject property is not located within the boundaries of a neighborhood association.
Street Classification
Rittiman Road is classified as an Arterial Type B.
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
The applicant is seeking to do maintenance and repairs and wants to keep the single-tenant sign to be 95’ tall. The applicant states that lowering the sign to current standards will cause a lack of visibility for the Whataburger sign, which has been there since 1999. Although staff understands the need for a tall sign, the location does not have drastic topographical challenges adjacent to the Loop 410 that limit visibility. Strict enforcement of the ordinance would allow a sign of 60’ in height.
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.
The area in which the Whataburger is located caters to interstate travel. Many commercial properties within the area already have compliant signs at 50’; however, because there are no conditions present that warrant nearly doubling the sign height to 95’, staff cannot support this request.
B. Granting the variance will not have a substantially adverse impact on neighboring properties.
The ordinance intends to protect the public from over-crowding of signage, while providing businesses the opportunity to advertise. The proposed property is not located directly at the interstate. Allowing a 95’ tall sign will have a substantially adverse impact on neighboring properties due to extremely tall signs.
C. Granting the variance will not substantially conflict with the stated purposes of this article.
Granting the variance substantially conflicts with the state purpose of the Chapter. A sign height of 60’ is allowed by code; however, no challenging topographical disparities are present that warrant nearly doubling the height of the proposed sign to 95’.
Alternative to Applicant’s Request
The applicant must adhere to the height requirements set forth by Section 28-241.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends Denial of variance in BOA-19-10300050, based on the following findings of fact:
1. The requested 95’ tall sign pole is not necessary due to the relatively flat topographical landscape along Loop 410; and;
2. The request does not observe the spirit of the ordinance, and;
3. No conditions are present that warrant n 95’ sign; a sign height to be 60’ still allows adequate space to advertise and still observes the spirit of the ordinance.