LAWRENCE SIGN CODE BOARD OF APPEALS

MINUTES

OCTOBER 7, 2004 – COMMENCING AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE BORAD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING, CITY COMMISSION MEETING ROOM, FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL, SIXTH AND MASSACHUSETTS STREET, LAWRENCE, KANSAS

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MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mr. Santee, Mr. Hannon, Mr. Goans, Mr. Herndon, Mr. Lane and new members Mr. Emerson and Ms. Blaufuss

STAFF PRESENT:  Mr. Walthall & Ms. Saker

ITEM NO. 1:   MINUTES

The minutes of the September 2, 2004 meeting were approved as presented, 5-0-2, with Mr. Emerson and Ms. Blaufuss abstaining.

ITEM NO. 2:   COMMUNICATIONS

There were no additional communications for Sign Code.

Swearing in of witnesses.

ITEM NO. 3:   CROWN USED CAR SALES AND CROWN TOYOTA; 3400 IOWA STREET

SV-08-10-04:  A request for a variance from the provisions of Chapter 5, Article 7 (Signs) of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, 2003.  The request is to allow the applicant to have two ground mounted monument signs advertising two district businesses on the same lot.  Section 5-739 of the Sign Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, 2003 is the governing regulation concerning sign standards in commercially zoned areas.  The location of the proposed signs is adjacent to the Iowa Street right-of-way.  The signs are for Crown Chevrolet, Crown Toyota and Crown Used Car Sales in the 3400 block of Iowa Street.  Submitted by BG Consultants, Inc., for Myles Schnaer, owner of Crown Chevrolet, Crown Toyota, and Crown Used Cars Sales.

STAFF PRESENTATION

Mr. Walthall introduced the item, a request to allow removal of three existing pole signs and replacement with monument signs.  He explained the project involved three separate lots that were being replatted into a single parcel in excess of 5 acres.  As three lots, each property was allowed a separate sign along the same street, but as a single lot the Code only allowed one monument sign.

Since the single lot would be larger than 5 acres and would contain multiple businesses, the code would allow either a single larger sign or a second monument sign on another street.  The applicant asked permission to place three monument signs on Iowa Street.

Mr. Walthall showed graphics of the proposed signs, noting that each sign would be individually within the size restrictions for a monument sign in this zoning district, except the Pre-Owned sign was wider than allowed by code.  The combination of signs would exceed the total sign area permitted.

It was verified that the project would encompass a single lot with one access drive to 34^th Street.

The Board asked about the “Lawrence” sign shown in an incorrect location on the plat.  Mr. Walthall said the applicant would be able to address this question.

Mr. Walthall said each entity involved claimed a need for a separate sign and, if denied, redevelopment as proposed was not possible.  

APPLICANT PRESENTATION

John Hampton, attorney for Crown Chevrolet and Toyota, explained the applicant had agreed to a city request to move the “Lawrence” sign from its existing location to the place shown on the plat as part of their project.

Mr. Hampton addressed the issue of hardship, saying the two corporate entities, Toyota and Chevrolet, were competitors and would not under any circumstances share advertising space.  This resulted in the request for three separate signs on Iowa Street for Toyota New Cars, Chevrolet New Cars, and Toyota Pre-Owned Cars.

Mr. Hampton stated that another variance would be applied for in the future for a fourth monument sign for Chevrolet Pre-Owned Cars on 34^th Street.  This sign was proposed at the same size.

The Toyota Pre-Owned sign would be modified from the shown text, but would be the same height and would change to meet width restrictions.

Mr. Hampton said the proposal would improve the visual impact of the area, replacing four pole signs along Iowa Street with three attractive, less intrusive monument signs.

Myles Schnaer, applicant, reiterated the refusal of the two corporate entities to share building space or signage.  He said the project was designed as an attractive gateway development.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No member of the public spoke on this item.

BOARD DISCUSSION

It was suggested that the project did everything possible to create a visual impression of three lots, and trading the non-conforming pole signs for the conforming (in height, size, and type) monument signs was an improvement that would be supported.

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Mr. Hannon, seconded by Mr. Goans to approve the variance to allow placement of three monument signs on Iowa Street for the project located at 3400 Iowa Street, subject to the following condition:

1. All signs must meet the City Sign Code in terms of height, width, and area.

Motion carried unanimously, 7-0.

ITEM NO. 4:   MISCELLANEOUS

There were no other matters to come before the Board

ADJOURN  - 7:05 p.m.

Official minutes are on file in the Planning Department.