Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPermit Board of Appeals 1996-4-15 .\ \\ l'~' -- 225 FIFTH STREET SPRINGFIELD. OR 97477 (541) 726-3753 FAX (541) 726-3689 April 15, 1996 Springfield-Eugene Veterinary Emergency Hospital 5303 Main Street Springfield, Oregon 97477 RE: Sign Variance This letter is to serve as your notice of the appeal hearing you applied for in regards to additionai height of your proposed freestanding sign, The proposed sign is to be located at 103 West Q Street,'Springfield, Oregon. Vou are hereby notified that a hearing will be held before the Buildirig Board of Appealsat Springfield City Hall, Development Services Department, 225 I'ifth Street, Meeting Room 615 on the 22nd day of April, t 996, at the hour of II :00 a.m., upon the notice and order served upon you. V ou may be present at. the hearing. Vou may be, but need not be, represented by counsel. Vou may present any relevant evidence and will be given full opportunity to cross examine all witnesses testifying against you. V ou may request the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents or other things by filing an affidavit therefor with the Board, If you have any questions, please feel'free to phone me at 726-3790. ~~ Lisa Hopper . Building Services Representative Ih 1\ 0("''', 0 . . Staff Report Springfield-Eugene Veterinary Emergency Hospital April 22, 1996 SnrinQfield-EuQene Veterinarv Ememencv HosnitaI. 96-04-101 ~ - - Located at 103 West Q Street, also known as Assessor's Map 17032741, Tax Lot 00100, Springfield, Oregon. Annlicant's Reailest The applicant is requesting a variance from Chapter 9, Article 7 of the Springfield City Code, More specifically, they are requesting a variance from Section 9-7-14 (2) to increase the allowable height of a freestanding sign in a Community Commercial district. ,BackQround The current Sign Code which was adopted by the Springfield City Council in May of 1994 establishes a maximum height for freestanding signs on Commercilil property both in the City limits and the City's Urban Growth Boundary. Section 9-7-14 (2) Free StandinR" Roof and Projecting S~ In addition to wall signs permitted above, one sign from this group shall be pennitted for each development area, The total area permitted for a free standing sign, roof or projecting sign shall be 100 square feet for one face or 200 square feet for 2 or more faces at a maximum of 20 feet above grade. Oiscussion The applicant proposes to install a freestanding sign, 40 feet in height, on the Northeast section of their property. The North/South Dimension on the East side of the property is 102.33', The plot plan which was submitted by the applicant indicates that the proposed sign will be located approximately 10 feet from the North property line. . The property is located to the North ofI-105 approximately 65 feet. The northerly 40 feet of this 65 foot distance if virtually flat, with the exception of a ditch. The remaining 25 feet is a steep embankment which goes to the overpass of the freeway. This embankment rises approximately 1.5' for every l' of distance. The chiropractic building that is located to the east of this property is placed 15 feet from their front property line and approximately 20 feet from the applicants east property line.. The large sign which is placed on the property is located in front of the building and is approximately 35' tall. The sign was permitted under the Sign Code which was in effect in 1977, The location of the applicants neighboring building significantly reduces visual contact of their property and/or building for traffic traveling west on the highway. . The highway to the west of the applicants property is fairly flat, and with the proposed illuminated sign, it is staffs opinion that the sign will be visible for the eastbound traffic prior to the highway exit. The proposed location of the sign could prohibit west bound traffic from identifying the business at a distance until after the exit, but the sign would be visible at the signal on QStreet when exiting the highway. {j .~ . . Staff Report 103 West Q Street Springfield-Eugene Veterinary Emergency Hospital April 22, 1996 Page 2. Following an inspection of the property, it is staffs opinion that the applicant could place the proposed sign at the most westerly section of the property and the sign would then be more visible for the traffic traveling east, and could possibly be visible for the west bound traffic prior to the exit. Staff contacted the State Highway Department regarding the possibility of the placement of an identification sign on a state highway for directional purposes. The Highway Department said that directional signs of that type are not allowed. Although staff sympathizes with the applicants request, staff could fmd nothing in the Code to allow the placement of the proposed sign at the height of 40 feet. Recommendation Staff recommends denial of the additional height for the proposed freestanding sign based on the following. 1. Staff could not identify any significant unusual conditions associated with this property that would warrant the approval of the proposed request. 2, Granting of this. variance could be considered precedence for other commercially zoned properties bordering the highway,