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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Boards of Adjustment - Meeting Date: 8/11/2005 MEETING MINUTES CITY OF GLENDALE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT GLENDALE COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING CONERENCE ROOM B-3 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY,AUGUST 11, 2005 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Gallegos, with the following members and representatives present: BOARDMEMBERS PRESENT: Moe Gallegos, Chairperson Yvonne Knaack, Vice-Chairperson Tommie Beck Sandy Burrell Hugh Leonardo Michael Schroth BOARDMEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF: Ray Jacobs, AICP, Zoning Administrator Jim Flenner, Assistant City Attorney Karen Stovall,Planner Sally Melling, Recording Secretary Chairperson Gallegos explained the Board's policies and hearing procedures. Chairperson Gallegos called for approval of the July 14, 2005 minutes. Boardmember Knaack made a MOTION to APPROVE the minutes from the July 14, 2005 meeting. Boardmember Burrell SECONDED the MOTION. The motion PASSED by a vote of 5 to 0 (Boardmember Schroth not yet present). Chairperson Gallegos called for Business from the Floor. There was none. Chairperson Gallegos asked staff if there were any requests for withdrawals or continuances. There were none. Chairperson Gallegos called for public hearing items. August 11, 2005 Board of Adjustment Page 2 APPLICATION NO.: VAR05-07 REQUEST: A request by Young Electric Sign Company, representing Burger King, for a variance in the CSC (Community Shopping Center) zoning district to allow a directional sign that is 16 square feet in area and 6 feet high where a maximum 6 square feet in area and a height of 3 feet is permitted. The property is located at 9680 West Camelback Road. Staff Contact: Karen Stovall (Yucca District). Ms. Stovall presented the application,reviewing the site and request. Boardmember Leonardo asked if the sign is a two-sided v-shaped sign. Ms. Stovall responded yes. Chairperson Gallegos asked if 16 square feet is the overall size of the sign. Ms. Stovall said it just includes the sign area. Patrick Sherry, applicant, thanked Ms. Stovall for her assistance. He explained the Burger King is obscured from traffic heading westbound by mesquite trees and a wall, making it difficult for visitors to the site to see the entrance before they have actually passed it by. He said those who pass the driveway move over a couple of lanes and make a U-turn at the Loop 101, only to have to make another U-Turn to head back towards the Burger King. He pointed out the monument sign does not have a Burger King logo. He said the Wal-Mart garden center blocks the view from the south, creating an even bigger safety hazard. He reported the Burger King at that location is not doing well, noting it ranks 16 out of 17 locations owned by the applicant. He explained their hope is that the sign will help give people driving down the road more notice about Burger King's presence. He pointed out both Wal-Mart and the property owner have approved the sign. He expressed his opinion the sign will not create a hardship for the property, noting Barnett and Burger King are willing to invest substantial funds to ensure it blends with the existing architecture. Boardmember Knaack expressed concern that the proposed sign will be blocked in the future by matured shrubbery and other landscaping. Mr. Sherry stated the sign is situated in rock landscaping and future growth should not obscure the sign. Boardmember Beck agreed it is easy to pass by the Burger King before you realize it is there. He asked if the property owner could add the Burger King logo to the monument sign. Mr. Sherry referred the question to Breck Flayhoff of Barnett. Mr. Flayhoff explained space is not available on the monument sign at the first entrance. Boardmember Beck asked if the property owner approves of the proposed sign. Mr. Flayhoff responded yes, reiterating Wal-Mart, the site's major tenant, does not object to the sign either. He said, while those who are driving specifically to the Burger King find it, spontaneous customer traffic drives by before seeing that the Burger King exists. He explained the Wal-Mart site plan, as it was explained to them, was intended to be an open-air garden center which would have improved their visibility. He August 11, 2005 Board of Adjustment Page 3 admitted they did not review the site plan and landscape plan for the site as closely as they should have; noting, however, the city asked that they build further back from Camelback and the entrance than they had initially intended. He pointed out the property represents their largest investment, about $2.1 million, and is their second worst performer. He said safety is a genuine concern, but the restaurant's viability is their most pressing concern. Boardmeniber Schroth asked if the landscaping could be pruned to improve the restaurant's visibility. Mr. Flayhoff said the trees could be pruned, but they would have to rely on the property owner's approval to do so and the windows of exposure will decrease even further as the trees continue to mature. Boardmember Schroth asked if the words "drive-thru" could be eliminated from the proposed sign to reduce the sign's size. Mr. Flayhoff responded yes. Ms. Stovall explained directional signs restrict identification by word or symbol to up to 25 percent of the sign area, therefore the words "drive-thru" would have to be included. Mr. Jacobs agreed, stating without reference to the drive-thru, the sign would be a monument sign rather than a directional sign. Boardmember Schroth asked if the letters could be smaller. Mr. Flayhoff said they are amenable to any modifications so long as the sign remains visible. Mr. Sherry noted the `Burger King" letters are seven inches tall and the "Drive-Thru" letters are approximately 6.5 inches tall. He pointed out the sign will be very subtle. Chairperson Gallegos asked if the variance would be necessary if the Burger King logo could be included on the freestanding monument sign. Mr. Flayhoff responded yes, stating they would still need a sign due to traffic in the center. Chairperson Gallegos said his first impression when he drove through the site was that the sign was quite small. Mr. Flayhoff commented the site is the company's least visible Burger King. He pointed out in his 20 years of experience with Burger King, he has never before requested a sign variance. Boardmember Knaack pointed out the site's landscaping was required by the city and will only get bigger as it matures. Boardmember Leonardo agreed a three-foot sign would not be effective, asking Mr. Flayhoff if he believes a larger sign will solve his problems. Mr. Flayhoff said, while he does not believe the sign will be any kind of magical cure to their problems, he believes it is a large piece of the puzzle. Mr. Jacobs commented staff never saw the traffic study which supposedly dictated the size and location of the sign; therefore, staff had no basis to identify the hardship. He pointed out directional signs are intended to be seen by drivers approaching the property, not from across the street. Chairperson Gallegos noted the site where the sign would be installed is lower than the sidewalk, asking if the increased size of the sign would make it comparable to a three-foot sign placed at sidewalk level. Mr. Sherry said it would be close, stating the drop is approximately two feet. August 11, 2005 Board of Adjustment Page 4 Boardmember Beck asked what the sign height would be above the sidewalk. Mr. Sherry said about three feet. Chairperson Gallegos opened the meeting for public comment on this case. As no comments were made, he closed the opportunity for public input. Boardmember Knaack made a MOTION to APPROVE VAR05-07, subject to the Site Plan date stamped June 20, 2005. Boardmember Burrell SECONDED the MOTION. Chairperson Gallegos opened the floor to discussion. No further comments were made. Chairperson Gallegos called for a Roll Call Vote. The MOTION PASSED by a vote of 5 to 1 (Boardmember Leonardo voted nay). Chairperson Gallegos called for Other Business. Mr. Jacobs announced the September 13 workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m. Chairperson Gallegos called for the Planning Staff Report. No report was made. Chairperson Gallegos called for Board Comments and Suggestions. Boardmember Schroth suggested they clarify on future cases how the height of a sign relates to the location of the sidewalk. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Sally,'felling,Record •: Secretary