02/06/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Co. out of Chicago, the national sign vendor for Blockbuster. Mr. Casto explained the variance requests. Mr. Ryan said the torn ticket logo and the letters for Blockbuster are registered trademarks. They would like to get that on both elevations because it is a corner lot. The letters are individual channel letters. He said he knows there is no hardship because of Tops, but their concern is whether it's Blockbuster or someone else, a variance is needed because the entire center is over code. He said Tops is over and above code. That is not Blockbusters fault but is something the landlord should take care of. Mr. Konold asked what Mr. Ryan meant in saying that Tops is over and above code. Mr. Ryan said their understanding is that whoever goes in that center, a variance will be required for any signage because Tops' signage is over what is allowed for that entire center. Mr. Maloney said there is the bank signage, the Tops signage, and another business. He said now with Blockbuster coming in, no matter what they want to put on there, they will be above and beyond and that is where the third variance comes into play. Mr. Ryan said he could not tell how big the letters are for the bank but it is on the same side. Mr. Maloney confirmed they are 18 inches. Mr. Ryan said if that second wall sign on that elevation is a problem, he would agree to make those 18 inches, rather than 24. That way aesthetically on that side of the building, there will be something in common. He said past the drive up bay there are other letters, Tops, up by itself. It looks like they are 3 feet or so. He said visually if you want to be consistent, he doesn't think Blockbusters would have a problem going with the same size letters that the bank has on that elevation if they were allowed to be 24 inches on the front. Mr. Konold said he recommends that they keep that at 18 inches. Mrs. Sergi said there is another business between Tops and Blockbusters. She asked if those letters are 18 inches also. Mr. Ryan said he is not sure. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Kremzar indicated they are 18 inches. Mrs. Sergi said wouldn't it make more sense to have everybody use the same size. Mr. Maloney said the south side is the bank side and the applicant has agreed to go 18 inches on that side. Mrs. Sergi said why don't they go with 18 inches, period. Mr. Rymarczyk pointed out the east side faces the parking lot so why not keep them both at 18 inches. Mr. Kelly concurred and said it should be uniform. Mr. Ryan indicated they could do that. He asked if there would be any consideration for Blockbuster having its logo too. Mr. Rymarczyk said the logo could be reduced accordingly, proportionally. Mr. Ryan said they would make that a 2 by 4, which is 8 square feet. He added you would lose 20 square feet right there with just the down size of the tickets, and you are going from 37 to maybe 29 on the 18 inch letters, so you're gaining about another 35 square feet total if they go with two sets of 18 inch letters and a 2 by 4 can on each side. Mr. Ryinarczyk asked if Mr. Ryan had a prototype of the 18 inch letters with the sign in there, so they could know how many square feet they are looking at in total. He pointed out the Building Department makes a rectangle around all signage to make its calculations. Mr. Ryan indicated he would have to have that drawn up. Mr. Rymarczyk said the board could approve it for 18 inches but they would need information from the applicant as to how many square feet that will take up. Mr. Ryan said they will put those calculations on their drawings and show a rectangle around each item and one rectangle that will encompass the entire ticket logo and everything else. He said one thing with Blockbusters that kind of inessed things up is their ticket logo is at a 10-degree tilt. Mr. Ryan confirmed they will show the dimensions on the sketch. NIr. Maloney said it should come to around 61 square feet. Mr. Ryan said it should be and there will be a little more open space on the top. Mr. Rymarczyk asked if they could fax the information over to the Building Department tomorrow. Mr. Ryan indicated they would do that. Mr. Rymarczyk said if the board approved it, they can adjust the square footage at that time. J. Maloney made a motion to grant Blockbuster, 26636 Brookpark Road Ext., the request for variance, which consists of new signs, and that the following variances be granted as amended: 1. A variance for 2 wall signs on a unit (code permits 1, applicant shows 2), section (1163.27 (a)). 2. A second variance, the square footage to be calculated when revised plans are submitted to the Building Department, for the south and east side of the building. The Blockbuster lettering to be 18 inches high and the logo to be in a box 2 by 4. 3