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16-5165; BJ's Restaurant; 25779 Brookuark Road <br />Representative: Randy Appel, AGI <br />Proposal consists of signage. Zoning is General Retail Business. <br />The following variances are requested: <br />1. A 15 sq. ft. variance for total sign area permitted on a building; code permits 90 sq. ft., <br />applicant shows 105 sq. ft., Section 1163.25(b). <br />2. A variance for 2 wall signs; code permits 1, applicant shows 3, Section 1163.28(a). <br />3. A 2 ft. variance for the height of a wall sign (BJ's logo on north elevation); code permits 4 <br />ft., applicant shows 6 ft., Section 1163.28(c). <br />4. A 9 in. variance for a sign projecting from a canopy (north elevation canopy); code permits 2 <br />in., applicant shows 11 in., Section 1163.29(b). <br />5. A variance for a canopy sign projecting more than 2 inches above a canopy and extending <br />closer than 4 inches to the side edges of a canopy (east elevation canopy), Section <br />1163.29(b). <br />Mr. Aspery stated that the applicant is requesting signage variances for the proposed BJ's <br />Restaurant at the former Smokey Bones location. Signage for BJ's includes three wall signs and <br />two canopy signs. Code permits one wall sign, requiring a variance of two wall signs. Code <br />permits 90 square feet of total wall signage area. 105 square feet is proposed, requiring a <br />variance of 15 square feet. The height of the logo sign on the front elevation is 6 feet high. Code <br />allows up to 4 feet, requiring a variance of 2 feet. The canopy sign on the northern elevation will <br />require a variance of 9 inches to project over the canopy. There was discussion regarding this <br />determination during the recent Planning & Design Commission meeting, regarding <br />interpretation of the term "projection" and what directions th'is definition covers. After further <br />review, the Planning Department confirms the Building Commissioner's interpretation. The <br />canopy sign on the east elevation will project more than 2 inches above the canopy, and recently <br />submitted drawings indicate that the sign will not extend closer than 4 inches. Both canopy signs <br />are permitted over building entrances. Mr. Appel pointed out that the triangular shape of the <br />signs is unusual but the square footage of the wording would be compliant. The restaurant has <br />parking on both sides so the additional wall signs would be needed and they are much smaller <br />than the front sign. A smaller sign on the front of the building would not go with the architectural <br />style of the fagade. The "To Go" and "Brew House" signs are needed to advertise the services <br />that are provided by the restaurant. Clarification that the address is not counted in the square <br />footage calculation. Mr. Allain believed that the requested variances were substantiated. The <br />building is situated in the middle of a parking lot so extra signs are needed, Ms. Sabo agreed. Mr. <br />Raig agreed that a smaller sign on the front would not look right with the rest of the building. <br />Mr. Papotto moved, seconded by Mr. Allain, to grant as written the following variances for <br />signage for 16-5165; BJ's Restaurant; 25779 Brookpark laoad: <br />1. A 15 sq. ft. variance for total sign area permitted on a building; code permits 90 sq. ft., <br />applicant shows 105 sq. ft., Section 1163.25(b). <br />2. A variance for 2 wall signs; code permits 1, applicant shows 3, Section 1163.28(a). <br />3. A 2 ft. variance for the height of a wall sign (BJ's logo on north elevation); code permits <br />4 ft., applicant shows 6 ft., Section 1163.28(c). <br />4. A 9 in. variance for a sign projecting from a canopy (north elevation canopy); code <br />peranits 2 in., applicant shows 11 in., Section 1163.29(b).