01/08/2009 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Note: 1). New Save A Lot sign (103 sq ft). 2). (Save a Lot 103 sq ft), (Food Stores with band 86.2 sq ft) and (single red band 14.4 sq ft). 3). Includes existing Goodwill sign 90.70 sq ft lot = 585 x 1.35 = 190 sq ft allowed Mr. Jim Doerr with Ellet Sign Company and Ms. Kathy Duffy the Construction Project Manager for Save A Lot each came forward to be sworn in and address the board. Mr. Doerr said all the signs being requested are needed to achieve brand recognition which meets their corporate standards. July 2008 when the store was opened a decision to install a linier 4 foot sign which inet city codes was installed to ensure the opening was not delayed. Their intent is to convert the Linier sign into a vertical staclced sign which would be 6 foot 2 inches tall with a total square footage of 103 square feet. The angle and distance from the sign to the street is 288 feet or more and comparing neighboring signs of abutting businesses the existing sign is insufficient. To lceep building recognition they would lilce to add a red non-illuminated accent stripe along the front roofline which is brolcen-up into two separate bands that follow the extended roofline. The southwest band includes a non-illuminated plastic sign 2 feet tall and 13 %z feet long which reads Food Store. Ms. Rudolph questioned why the red stripe wasn't painted directly onto the building and Ms. Duffy said the standing seam roofline would not accommodate a painted stripe. Mrs. Diver questioned why the accent bands and signs were not addressed when the development was being addressed by Planning & Design Commission. Ms. Duffy said due to interior modifications being completed early and to ensure the store was opened with a sign the conforming sign was installed. Mrs. Sergi asked if the store had been successful since opening. Ms. Duffy said the store is new to the neighborhood and doing o.lc. although they would like it to do better which is why they are asking for more signage then they typically have on a building. Mr. Mitchell said due to the roofline ribbing the red stripe couldn't be painted. Both red metal bands are loolced at as signs even though the front band does not include wording. The existing sign being staclced creates the 2 foot 2 inch height variance needed. He would prefer to see the red band extend across the entire front roofline without any wording. Mr. O'Malley said the applicants clearly demonstrated city codes could be met as the existing sign meets code as does the Goodwill sign. Mrs. Sergi noted that the existing sign meets code, the business is visible from Lorain Road and the size is consistent with the Goodwill sign. The additional signage requested is not warranted, the site currently meets city codes and without more evidence to show the business is impeded due to the laclc of signage granting the variances would create future issues for the board. Mrs. Diver questioned if the property could yield a reasonable return without the variances and most members felt it could. Mrs. Sergi felt the variances were substantial. The board did not feel the character of the neighborhood would Ue altered nor would governmental services. All property owners are presumed to have lcnowledge of the zoning codes when purchasing. Mrs. Diver felt the existing sign was sufficient for the site. Ms. Rudolph questioned if granting the variances would inake the entire site exceed allowable signage. Mr. Mitchell said the request exceeds what the entire site is allowed by code. Mrs. Sergi said that the band is more of a want than a need and Mrs. Bellido agreed. Ms. Rudolph agreed that the existing sign should remain as is but felt that the horizontal line and wording saying food store was warranted as it identifies what is sold at the store. The red stripe is warranted as it can not be painted and the stripe enhances the stores appearance. Mr. Menser felt food store wording was warranted and the board could stipulate that the red band could never be converted into anything else. To replace the existing sign with a larger sign is not warranted as it is visible from the street. Seeing the food store sign would assist in the success of the store. Mrs. Diver felt that the existing signage was sufficient for the site and the variances were substantial. The site currently meets city code requirements and wanting more is not reason enough to grant variances. Mr. O'Malley said the board should 3