08/05/2013 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Slagter reviewed the history of the project. He said the variances are due to the severe setbacks of the mall and are essential to their client's ability to succeed. The ground sign is a way finding sign which is required to direct vehicular traffic entering the site. The City's code allows each lot of ten acres or more two ground signs, the mall is a total of 80 acres and if it were divided into eight 10-acre lots would be allowed 16 ground signs. They do not believe the variances requested are excessive and granting them would meet the spirit and intent of zoning codes. Ms. Dorsey reviewed the proposed new tenants and the setbacks of the building. Mr. Poppinga reviewed the significance of the variances required for their tenants as well as the way finding sign which they feel is essential to directing traffic. The cinema will not have an entrance, their only access point will be the new mall entrance. Ms. Wenger said as it was not clear as to the exact number of ground signs at the site or what had been previously granted. She supports the ground sign request as it is an internal sign which will direct vehicles to their desired destination. Mr. Lopez asked if the ground sign would be illuminated and Mr. Poppinga said no. All board members agreed the ground sign was needed to direct traffic. IVIr. Lopez moved, seconded by Ms. Diver, to grant a variance to CMS13-21: Westfield Regal Cinema of 4952 Great Northern Mall for 1 additional ground sign, applicant shows 13, Section 1163.27(a), which passed 5-0. Ms. Arnold said Regal Cinema will be a 10 screen theater with state of the art digital projection, rocker back seats, larger screens and 3D capability. The sign package which is proposed is a standard sign package for Regal as it pertains to the style and layout. The only access point for the cinema is through the Westfield entrance, which is why the sign is needed above their entrance. The crown and Regal logos are standard logos used on all their theaters. Sample sheets showing other Regal marquee signs were submitted to the board. The proposed marquee sign has been scaled down as much as possible to minimize the required variances. Mr. Lockett reviewed his credentials in commercial signs and said that although their sign package requires variances they have been scaled back. The vertical sign has letters which are 1'/z feet wide and 3 feet tall, the total area of the sign is less than allowed by code for their frontage. The sign package is the smallest package the cinema makes. He reviewed standard height and setback requireinents for visibility and said due to the 500 foot setback of the building the size of the letters are not excessive. He asked why the variance for a sign above the roofline was required and Ms. Wenger said the signs mounting surface/housing element exceeds the roofline and not considered the top of the roof line. Mr. Slagter said the mall will agree to limit any sign variances granted to Regal Cinema. Ms. Wenger said the project has had a few modifications and the staff has done their best to review and compare what has been previously approved versus what is required. The city's zoning code is content neutral and regardless the direction of the letters the maximum height allowed is 4 feet. She supports the sign package as the applicant shows less sign area than what was previously approved and the setback of the building is significant. Mr. Lopez asked if the sign would be an electronic sign and Mr. Lockett said the sign is not electronic, they are individual channel letters with LED illumination. A brief discussion to clarify the marquee sign's structure and how it relates to the variance for signage above the roofline ensued. Ms. Rudolph asked if the board should limit the variance to the tenant to ensure 2