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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-05-31 410 kW.° '48110 Zoning Board of Adjustment May 31 , 1979 CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment was called to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Acting Chairman Bill Pasteur. Other members present were Messrs. Don Calhoun, William Dorsey, Nick Anagnostis and Marland Ernest. Also present were Planning and Zoning Co- ordinator, Kent Flynn and recording secretary Barbara Kellar. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were Messrs. Alan Clark, Melvin Shuler, Troy Fuller and Ms. Becky Gunter. PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST OF HEATH AND COMPANY ON BEHALF OF DENNY'S RESTAURANTS, INC. FOR A VARIANCE TO THE CITY OF EULESS ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING A SIGN AT THE DENNM'S RESTAURANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON THE EAST-BOUND SPUR 350, ACCESS ROAD EAST OF FM 157. Acting Chairman Bill Pasteur stated proponents for the variance will be heard first, and then any opponents. He opened the Public Hearing and requested a representative of Heath and Company. Mr. Clark, of Heath and Company, stated they are requesting a variance to the Sign Ordinance which presently allows a maximum sign height of thirty feet. A sign thirty feet in height at this location would barely be visible from the freeway. Therefore, they are requesting the variance to allow the sign to be sixty feet in height. The sign at the Shell station is about sixty-five feet in height and is visible from about two to three miles. Mr. Dorsey asked the requested height of the proposed sign. Mr. Clark stated the proposed height is sixty feet, which is about the same height of the Shell station. However, the two signs will not block each other. Mr. Flynn asked Mr. Clark if he was asking for a variance for the sign shown in the drawing that was submitted with the sign permit. Mr. Clark confirmed that he was. 4111w 1/41010' 4.01) loW) 4NW 40 (Page Two, Zoning Board of Adjustment, May 31 , 1979) Mr. Flynn stated that the proposed sign would require a variance not only tb the height requirement, but also the area requirement. He stated the present ordinance provides a maximum height of thirty feet, and a maximum area of fifty square feet. The proposed sign contains approximately 250 square feet. Acting Chairman Pasteur asked Mr. Flynn how the City felt about the height variance in light of the fact that this sign would be instantly recognized as a national logo. Mr. Flynn stated the staff had done some research on the subject of freeway signs at the request of one of the Board members. Mr. Flynn distributed the staff letter which contained this information. Mr. Flynn stated that the staff is not suggest- ing that a variance be granted, but that the staff had researched the need for re- vising the current sign ordinance as it relates to freeway signs. Mr. Flynn stated that there had been concern in the past that the area requirements of the present ordinance might be too restrictive to permit a safe reading of some sign copy at freeway speeds. Specifically, the present maximum area of 50 square feet may be too small to allow the lettering of long names at a readable size. However, "Denny's " is short enough to fit if printed at standard freeway copy size such as appears on the D/FW Tropical Plant sign (21"-24") . The proposed Denny's sign shows a copy size of 40"-64", which is not necessary to allow easy reading of the sign. Mr. Flynn stated that the staff would hope that the research material presented in the staff letter could be feferred to as a guide if the Board should allow a variance to the area requirements of the present ordinance. With reference to the requested variance to the height requirement, Mr . Flynn stated the maximum height of a sign at the present time is 30' . However, this would be measured from the level of the road- way from which the sign would be read. Therefore, since Spur 350 is 111 feet above the elevation of the subject property, the sign would be allowed to be 41 .5 feet in height, which is just below the Shell sign. Also, research has been done on the distance of vidibility of a sign 41 .5 feet in height at this location. He displayed a diagram indicating that the sign would be visible from about four hundred (400) feet west of the freeway exit that would be taken to reach the site from the west. Mr. Flynn stated that since a sign at 41 .5 height could be seen in plenty of time to exit the freeway, staff feels that the purpose of the sign is served at the height allowed in the present ordinance. Mr. Flynn stated that the site had 200 feet of frontage. He added that for comparison D/FW Tropical plants had 400 feet of frontage and that their sign is easily read from the freeway and that it is 30 feet high and has an area of 150 square feet. Acting Chairman Pasteur asked if there were any opponents. There were none. 410, 4100' NINO (Page Three, Zoning Board of Adjustment, May 31 , 19 ) Mr. Ernest asked the maximum area being con- sidered by the staff for freeway signs if the ordinance was amended. Mr. Flynn stated the areas being considered are those outlined in the staff letter. Mr. Dorsey asked if the neighboring property owners were notified. Mr. Flynn stated property owners within 200 feet of the subject property were notified by certified mail . Acting Chairman Pasteur declared the Public Hearing closed. Mr. Ernest made a motion to deny the bariance to the sign ordinance as presented. Mr. Calhoun took his place with the commission at this time. He stated he had heard most of the discussion and was ready to make a decision. The vote on Mr. Ernest's motion was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Ernest and Anagnostis. Nays: Messrs. Dorsey, Calhoun, and Pasteur. Acting Chairman Pasteur stated the motion failed. Mr. Calhoun made a motion to grant the variance as requested to allow the sign to be 60' in height and 250 square feet in area. Mr. Dorsey seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Calhoun, Dorsey, and Pasteur. Nays: Messes. Anagnostis and Ernest. Acting Chairman Pasteur stated the variance is approved. Mr. Ernest stated the ordinance requires a minimum of four concurring votes to approve a variance. Acting Chairman stated the variance as re- quested, therefore, failed. Mr. Ernest made a motion to grant a variance to the area portion of the Sign Ordinance to allow the sign to be 150 square feet. Four Zoning Board of Adjustment, May 31 , 1 (Page 9 J � Y 979) Mr. Anagnostis seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Ernest, Anagnostis, Calhoun and Dorsey. Nays: none Acting Chairman Pasteur declared the motion carried. The proposed sign would be a maximum 41 .5 feet in height as allowed by the present Sign Ordinance and would contain a maximum 150 square feet in area as stipulated in the variance. II . REQUEST OF MELVIN B. SHULER AND ASSOCIATES FOR A VARIANCE TO THE CITY OF EULESS ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING THE ONE TO ONE PARKING RATIO FOR THEIR PROPOSED WESTERN 6 MOTEL TO BE LOCATED NORTH OF SPUR 350, WEST OF NORTH MAIN STREET, AND EAST OF BYERS AVENUE. Acting Chairman Pasteur opened the Public Hearing and requested a representative for the requested variance. Mr. Shuler of 2225 Randol Mill Road in Arlington stated he is the local real estate agent and broker representing Western 6 Motels in their request for a variance to the parking requirements of the City Zoning Ordinance. He presented a photo of a typical Western 6 Motel , several of which are located in the area. This particular site was chosen because of its location on the freeway near the airport. They are proposing 126 units at the motel , which will also have a meeting room about the size of three of the units combined. The variance, if granted, would provide a one to one ratio of parking spaces per unit which has proven adequate for the other motels across the country. Western 6 has thirty locations in Texas. The average occupancy rate of the motels is 91%. Acting Chairman Pasteur asked the proposed numbersof parking spaces for the 126 units. Mr. Shuler stated the site plan indicates 131 parking spaces. Mr. Anagnostis asked the number of employees proposed at the motel . Mr. Shuler stated there probably would be from four to six employees with a manager living on the premises. The employees would be there during the day only. Mr. Ernest asked how the number of 131 parking spaces was decided upon. 0100.1 "40m00 (Page Five, Zoning Board of Adjustment, May 31 , 1979) Mr. Shuler stated the architect drew up the plans and he is not certain how he arrived at that figure. Acting Chairman Pasteur stated that 131 spaces were probably all there was toom for on the property. Mr. Shuler stated there would not be a restaurant in conjunction with the motel . Therefore, he feels the 1 .5 to 1 ratio is too high in this particular case. Acting Chairman Pasteur asked Mr. Flynn if the ratio would be different if a restaurant were built in conjunction with the motel . Mr. Flynn stated the ratio required is 1 .2 to 1 and not 1 .5 to 1 as previously stated. Also, the 1 .2 to 1 is for the motel units and meeting room only. If a restaurant were built in conjunction with the motel , additional parking would be required. Mr. Dorsey asked what adverse affect there would be if adequate parking were not provided. Mr. Calhoun stated it would create a problem with people attempting to park on the service road or in the church parking lot located next to the proposed site. Acting Chairman Pasteur asked if there were any opponents. There were none. He declared the Public Hearing closed. Acting Chairman Pasteur asked Mr. Flynn what the staff recommendation was regarding this variance request. Mr. Flynn distributed the staff letter which is to be made a part of the minutes. He explained the purpose of the ordinance requirement for 1 .2 parking spaces per room and suggested that either the number of rooms be reduced or the additional parking spaces be supplied as the ordinance requires. Mr. Dorsey made a motion to deny the variance to the off-street parking requirement as requested by Mr. Shuler. Mr. Ernest seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Dorsey, Ernest, Anagnostis and Calhoun. Nays: None Acting Chairman Pasteur declared the motion carried, thereby denying the requested variance. 4qr (Page' Six, Zoning Board of Adjustment, May 31 , 1979) III . ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Ernest suggested electing a Vice-Chairman to the Board. Mr. Pasteur stated that since new members have been appointed to the Board, a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman should be elected. Mr. Ernest stated he would prefer then to wait until the next meeting when the present chairman, Mr. Banks, will be present. Acting Chairman Pasteur suggested meeting thirty minutes prior to the next meeting to elect officers. This was agreed upon. IV. AMENDMENT TO SIGN ORDINANCE Mr. Ernest made a motion to request the City Council to consider an amendment to the Sign Ordinance concerning the height and area requirements of signs fronting on freeways. Mr. Anagnostis seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Messrs, Dorsey, Anagnostis, Ernest and Calhoun. Acting Chairman Pasteur declared the motion carried. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8: 30 p.m.