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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBZA Decision Letter - Appeal 2974 - 134 The Commons (Cayuga Optical Service) - 04-13-15° °ITS CITY OF ITHACA p° °� 0� ° o °° 0 108 E. Green Street 3rd Floor Ithaca, NY 14850 -5690 �. 0 ®O 01 o6 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING BUILDING ZONING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ° v° o00 o ' . Division of Zoning 00 Al 000 PHYLLIS RADKE, DIRECTOR OF ZONING ADMINISTRATION Telephone: Planning & Development — 607 - 274 -6550 E -Mail: cpyott@cityofithaca.org CITY OF ITHACA BOARD of ZONING APPEALS Sign Variance Findings & Decision Applicant: F. Alexander Wood, Ithaca Cayuga Optical Appeal No.: #2974 Zoning District: CBD -60 Hearing Held On: April 7, 2015 Property Location: 134 East State Street Requirement for Which Variance is Requested: Sign Ordinance, Section 272 -A. (1) Applicable Section of City Zoning Code: Maximum projection of wall signs is 18 inches. Public Hearing: The public hearing was held on April 7, 2015. No interested parties spoke in favor or or against this appeal. Motion: A motion to grant the variance request was made by Marshall McCormick. Environmental Review: hype II Action under Environmental Quality Review Ordinance, Section 176 -5 C. (18). (Acts of ministerial nature where no discretion is involved.) Planning & Development Board Recommendation: The Board did not recommend granting this appeal. The Board feared that allowing the sign to project would mean interference with the east -west views on the Commons. The Board felt that if the City allows one business to exceed the 18 inches, it would be extremely likely other retailers would want to project their signs more than 18 inches Factors Considered: 1. Size of sign. The purpose for which the sign is erected and the distance from which the sign is intended to be read and the character of the adjacent streets shall be taken into consideration. In all cases, the smallest sign that will suit the purpose shall be the guide, taking into account legitimate business interests to be promoted by the sign and the speed limits and traffic conditions on adjacent streets. Extending the sign so it projects 36 inches from the face of the building, is the smallest projection that can meet the purposes listed above. Yes ® No ❑ Reasons: The sign is appropriately sized for its location. The business only has a nine -foot wide storefront and a 36" projection will allow greater visibility for customers trying to locate the business. 2. Number of letters. A sign with few letters need not be as large as one with many letters to be seen at the same distance. The number of letters 'is appropriate for the size of the sign. Yes E No [:] Reasons: There are few letters on the sign and they basically account for the business' address. 3. Other signs. The context of existing signs in the vicinity of the proposed sign shall be taken int considerations. Existing signs on the Commons are similar to the proposed sign. Yes No ■ keasons: The proposed sign is just as artful and pleasing as adjacent signage for other businesses. M 4. The character of the neighborhood. The proposed use shall not be detrimental to the general amenity of the neighborhood character so as to cause a devaluation of neighboring property or material inconvenience to neighboring inhabitants or material interference with the use and enjoyment by the inhabitants of neighboring parties. The proposed sign will not be detrimental to '7/' the neighborhood character. Yes Reasons: Canopies on the Commons can encroach four feet from the face of the building and can have signage on the face of the canopy. There are a number of existing signs on the Commons that project more than 18 inches from the face of a building. By projecting 36 inches, the proposed sign will still be similar to other signs on the Commons and will not adversely affect the character of the neighborhood. 5. Public Interest. The protection of public interest and the desirability of maintaining open spaces, views and vistas shall be considered insofar as possible. The proposed signage will not affect open '7� spaces, views, and vistas. Yes Pq NoF] Reasons: The new Commons design has incorporated a central corridor, so that the proposed signage will not impact important views and vistas on the Commons. Second Motion to Grant Variance: Made by Teresa Deschanes Vote: Teresa Deschane, Yes Steve Beer, Yes Marshall McCormick, Yes ril 13.- 2015 f Zoning Appeals, Date g Administration 2