7.4. SR 10-17-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Additional Sign The property has a land use designation of residential and the existing institutional use is consistent with the comprehensive plan. However, an additional sign is not consistent with permitted institutional uses in a residential district. Sign Height The property has a land use designation of residential and the existing institutional use is consistent with the comprehensive plan. However, a sign nearly three times the allowed height is not consistent with permitted institutional uses in a residential district. Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. Practical difficulties mean that: 3. The petitioner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance; There will be no change in property use and will remain in compliance with the zoning ordinance regarding use in property. Additional Sign The subject property is currently being used in a reasonable manner while conforming to the sign ordinance. The existing sign is 11 feet tall, 9 feet shorter than what is allowed. The applicant’s narrative indicates the increased height will indicate the location of the church. The applicant could increase the height of the existing sign and maintain ordinance standards to accomplish the stated intent of the additional sign. Adding an additional sign would not be using the property in a reasonable manner. Sign Height The intent of the sign ordinance is also to protect the health and welfare of residents and neighbors while maintaining consistency in neighborhoods. The height requirements outlined in the ordinance of 20 feet can be met while still providing wayfinding signage. Providing additional height than what is permitted by ordinance does not protect the health and welfare of residents as the taller sign, which inherently is a beacon, can be more visible from neighboring properties where a shorter, compliant sign, may not. With an increased sign height of a second sign, the property would not be used in a reasonable manner. For reference, the city’s most intensive commercial zoning district is Highway Commercial (C-3), along Highways 10 and 169, and limits freestanding sign height to 30 feet. It is not reasonable for an institutional use, in a single family district, to have a sign more than twice as tall than what is permitted for commercial uses in the C-3 district. 4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the property not a consequence of the petition's own action or inaction; and Due to the traffic speeds along HWY 10, the height of the cross will help identify the property as a church. Without the additional height the cross would not be fully visible from the highway. The extra height would allow for a clear view at a longer distance. Additional Sign There is no hardship, as the property already has a functioning sign on site and has the option of increasing its height while meeting ordinance requirements. The property has no unique physical features