12/01/1993 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ti 1. Pizza Hut, 27845 Lorain Road. Request for variance (1123e12). Request variance to have second wall sign on building; request 5e5 square foot variance for max;tmnn sign area allowed for all wall signs; request 7 inch height variance for both wall signs; request 91 square foot variance for total sign area allowed for wall signs on this building; and request 90 square foot variance for sign area allowed for.all signs an property. Violations of Ord. 1163.12(a) and 1163.11(b) &(a). Chairman Gomersall called all interested parties before the board. The oath was administered to Mr. Witczak, representing Pizza Hut, and M. Wasserman, sign contractor. Oaths were then administered to neighbors, Mrs. Botson, Mso Drobek, and Mr. Moran, all of whom wanted more information on the request. It was explained that Pizza Hut is requesting a second wall sign an the east and west roof area where the signs were previously located. The former signs were 4 foot, 8 inches high and 17 foot, 2 inches wide and the new ones will be 4 foot 10 i.nches high and 17 foot, 8 inches wide. The old signs were molded plastic letters which were illuminated by a spot light, the new signs will be internally illuminated. The members believed this would not be as harsh a light. Mr. Witczak believed that the old spot lights have been removed. Mr. Gomersall stated that the board would make a stipulatian that if those lights have not been removed, they are not to be used. The neighbors stated that they did not believe a sign would be needed since everyone knows the Pizza Hut roof. Mr. Grace agreed and questioned why they needed 90 square foot more sign area than allowed. Law Director Gareau read their application and had a problem with the statement that signs were "desperately needed for proper exposure". He stated that these are neighborhood type stores, and did not understand why these signs were needed. Mr. Wassermam stated that the old signs were antiqua.ted and needed updating and that the new signs were an improvement over having spot lights. Mr. Gareau noted that there is also a sign in front. Mr. Grace stated that the letter from the Building Commissioner suggested that they should make a better effort to conform to the size restrictions. Mr. Wassermam responded that only one sign would be seen at a time, and the city measures the sign from the far outside of the "P" which is 4 feet 7 inches high, but most of the copy is only 3 feet high. Mr. Grace stated that if the building was set back off the road there might be a hardship, however there is no hardship at this location whatsoever. It was clarified that these signs were being replaced during a remodeling. Mr. Wassermam stated that they were only involved with installing the signs, they were not aware of the remodeling and, in response to questions, he acknowledged that Pizza Hut did have smaller signs. Mr. Gomersall suggested that they return with sznaller signse The other members agreed. One of the neighbors mentioned that you could see the pole sign all the way down the block, and the members advised that all pole signs would be eliminated by 1998. Mr. Wassermam stated that there were smaller signs that were about 3 foot by 14 foot. Mr. Maloney stated that these signs would be about 42 square feet per sign. This would be more agreeable to both the neighbors and the board. It was explained to the neighbors why an internally illtmu.nated sign would give less glare than the signs lighted by spot lights. The members discussed the variance needed for the smaller signs and Mr. Gomersall`advised that they would not need the 5.5 square foot variance for maxinnIIn sign -area allowed for all wall signs, nor the 7inch.height variance for both wall signs, the 91 square foot variance would be reduced to 8 square feet and the 90 square foot variance would be reduced to a 7 square foot, but they will sti11 need a variance for the second wall sign. R. Gomersall moved to grant the request for variance to Pizza Hut, 27845 Lorain Road to have two wall signs on the building to be approximately 3 feet by 14 feet and to also grant the variance for two wall signs and also to grant an 8 foot variance for total sign area allowed for wall 2