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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBZA 3157-742-744 S. Meadow St.-Decision Letter 4-7-2020 p 0 CITY F T C O �lOo ° OoV. 108 E . Green StreetFloor Ithaca , NY 14850 - 5690 G RD = a DEPARTMENT , BUILDING , ZONING , & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ra a o tiU : • Division Of Zoning g n °© AA ' 0 Gino Leonardi , Secretary tote Board of Zoning Appeals Telephone : 607 -274 - 6550 Fax : 607 - 274 - 6558 & Mail : gleonardi � cityofithaca . org CITY OF ITHACA BOARD of ZONING APPEALS Sign Variance Findings & Decision Appeal No . . 3157 Applicant : Jennifer Wolfe for Old Navy Stores Property Location : 742 - 744 S . Meadow Street Zoning District : SW-2 Applicable Section of City Sign Ordinance : Section 2724A( 1 ) . Requirement for Which Variance is requested : Requirements for Projecting Signs Publication Dates : April 1 , 2020 and April 3 , 2020 . Meeting Held One. April 7 , 2020 . Summary : Appeal of Jennifer Wolfe on behalf of Old Navy for a sign variance from Section 2724 A ( 1 ) , Requirements for Projecting Signs . The applicant proposes to install two blade signs on the front facade of the proposed Old Navy store (former Hobby Lobby) , located at 742 - 744 S . Meadow Street . One blade sign will be located at each side of the storefront and will project 3 ' - 6 " from the front facade . The Sign Ordinance allows signs to project a maximum of 18 " from the wall and the sign projection exceeds this dimension . The applicant previously received a permit for two wall signs that meet the requirement of the Sign Ordinance , The property is located in a SW-2 use district in which the proposed use is permitted . However, the Sign Ordinance , Section 272 - 18 , requires that the variance be granted before a sign permit is issued . Public Hearing Held One. April 7 , 2020 . No public comments in favor or in opposition . Members present : Steven Beer, Chair Teresa Deschanes Steven Wolf Stephanie Egan-Engels Suzanne Charles Tompkins County Review per Section 239 4 & - m of New York State General Municipal Law . Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability has reviewed the proposal, as submitted and has determined that it has no negative intercommunity, or county wide impacts . 1 Environmental Review : This is an Unlisted Action under the City of Ithaca Environmental Quality Review Ordinance (" CEQRO " ) , and State Environmental Quality Review Act ( " SEQRA" ) , and is subject to Environmental Review . Lead Agency : The City of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals did , on April 7 , 2020 declare itself Lead Agency for the environmental review for the approval of zoning appeal 3154 , a sign variance for the property located at 742 - 744 S . Meadow Street in the City of Ithaca . Environmental Determination : The City of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals , acting as Lead Agency, on April 7 , 2020 , reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form ( SERF ) and determined the requested variance will result in no significant impact on the environment . Planning & Development Board Recommendation . The Planning Board does not identify any negative long term planning impacts and supports this appeal. Given the location of the proposed project in an outdoor strip mall- the signs may be needed to direct shoppers between stores . The main sign includes channel —lit letters therefore dark sky compliance should be verified before installation . Motion : A motion to grant the variance request was made by Steven Wolf. Deliberations & Findings . In review of the proposed blade signs , the Board raised the concern that two signs would be excessive for the proposed purpose of wayfinding . The applicant agreed to only install one blade sign with an overall sign dimension of 3 ' - 0 " which included the mounting bracket . Factors Considered : 1 . Size of sign . The Board is prepared to grant a variance that is different from what the applicant has sought . The variance is for the granting of one blade sign mounted at a maximum distance of 3 ' - 0 ' off the wall at the location of the applicants choosing . Recognizing that the mounting of the sign will be no less than S ' above the pavement . The approve size of the sign will provide wayfinding for traffic and pedestrians traveling parallel to the front of the building . Which is the purpose of the blade sign . 2 . Number of letters : The number of letter is the minimum number of letters because Old Navy is a known brand and could not and should not be modified . 3 . Other signs . There are no other signs to be considered because the variance is now only for one sign . This is an improvement in respect to value for the public . 4 . The character of the neighborhood . The character of the neighborhood is thoroughly commercial and a blade sign would not interfere with the neighboring properties or uses . 5 . Public Interest : There were no public comments submitted by interested parties and in recognition of the Planning Board comments , granting the variance does not conflict with any public interest . 2 Second Motion to Grant Variance : Made by Suzanne Charles . Vote : Steven Beer, Chair Yes Teresa Deschanes Yes Steven Wolf Yes Stephanie Egan-Engels Yes Suzanne Charles Yes Determination of BZA Based on the Above Factors : The BZA, taking into consideration the five factors for a sign variance , finds that the Benefit to the Applicant outweighs the Determinant to the Neighborhood or Community . The BZA further finds that variances from Sign Ordinance , Section 2724A ( 1 ) is the minimum variances that should be granted in order to preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood and the health, safety, and welfare of the community . April 15 , 2020 Gino ard ' , onmg Administrator Date Secretary, Board of Zoning Appeals 3