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BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS <br />CITY OF NORTH OLMSTED <br />MINUTES OF JULY 1, 2013 <br />ROLL CALL <br />Ms. Bellido called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. in Council Chambers and led the Pledge of <br />Allegiance. <br />Present: Laura Bellido, Michael Raig, Maureen Diver, Alfredo Lopez <br />Absent: Jennifer Rudolph <br />Staf£ Law Director Michael Gareau, Building Commissioner James McReynolds, Clerk of <br />Commissions Donna Rote <br />REVIEW AND CORRECTION OF MINiJTES <br />Mr. Raig moved, seconded by Ms. Diver, to approve the minutes of June 3, 2013 which <br />passed 4-0. <br />COMMERCIAL APPEALS AND REQUESTS <br />CMS13-18: Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Center; 28595 Lorain Road <br />Proposal consists of signage. The following variance is requested: A vaxiance for 1 additional <br />ground sign; code permits 1 per lot, applicant shows 2, Section 1163.27(a). Note: Applicant <br />states the existing Saab sign will be removed in five years. PDC recommended approval <br />10/10/2012 and BZA denied the request 11/1/2012. <br />Bernie Moreno, Denver Brooker and Tom MacGeorge were administered the oath. Mr. Moreno <br />reviewed his business and how it has expanded. The site was first developed for a SAAB <br />dealership which went out of business less than a year after the site was redeveloped. The <br />building was then renovated into a pre-owned Mercedes dealership; however they have chosen to <br />honor the warranties of SAAB vehicles sold. The SAAB ground sign was retained to identify <br />that the site services SAAB vehicles. They would like to have a ground sign for the main use of <br />the site which is Mercedes. The size of the proposed ground sign is code compliant and the <br />combined total square footage of signage on the lot is only 40% of what is allowed by code. The <br />signs would be a minimum of 200 feet apart and the SAAB sign will be removed within five <br />years. He noted that the drawing shows the distance at 252 feet however it will be placed just <br />over 200 feet from the existing SAAB sign. Mr. McReynolds reviewed that the only <br />modification is that the signs will be 200 feet apart which is not what is depicted in the drawing. <br />He doesn't believe there is a hardship which would wrarrant granting the variance. <br />Mr. Raig asked for clarification regarding the location of the two signs and if the SAAB sign <br />would be limited to 5 years. Mr. Moreno said once the SAAB sign is no longer warranted it <br />would be removed and the Mercedes sign relocated. Ms. Diver asked why the ground signs <br />couldn't be combined into one sign. Mr. Moreno said neither dealership would allow their signs <br />to be combined with the other. Mercedes regulates every aspect of its site inside and out. Ms. <br />Diver questioned the exact distance of the proposed sign and Mr. Moreno said it will be 202 feet