HomeMy WebLinkAboutBZA 3063-505 Third St.-Decision Letter-4-4-2017CITY OF ITHACA
108 E. Green Street — 3rd Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING, ZONING, & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Division of Zoning
Gino Leonardi, Secretary to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Telephone: 607-274-6513 E -Mail: gleonardi@cityofithaca.org
CITY OF ITHACA BOARD of ZONING APPEALS
Sign Variance Findings & Decision
Appeal No.: 3063
Applicant: Christopher Kambar-APD Eng. & Architecture for ADLI Inc., Owner
Property Location: 505 Third Street
Zoning District: 1-1
Applicable Section of City Sign Ordinance: Section 272-7A.
Requirement for Which Variance is requested: Size requirements of permitted signs.
Publication Dates: March 29, 2017 and March 31, 2017.
Meeting Held On: April 4, 2017.
Summary: Appeal of Christopher Kambar of APD Engineering & Architecture on behalf of the owner
ALDI Inc. for a sign variance from Section 272-7A, size requirements of permitted signs. The applicant
proposes to construct an addition to the ADLI's building located at 505 Third Street and install 4 new
wall signs on the building. The proposed signs include two "ALDI" signs for a total of 149.8 SF and two
"Food Market" signs totaling 76.2 SF. An existing freestanding sign on the property, containing 46.9 SF,
will remain unchanged. Section 272-7A, requires the total of both freestanding and building signs not to
exceed 250 SF in total area. The total square feet of signage for the freestanding sign and the 4 proposed
wall signs is 272.9 SF.
The property at 505 Third Street is in the I-1 Zoning District where business signs are allowed, however
the Sign Ordinance, Section 272-18 requires that variances be granted before a sign permit is issued.
Public Hearing Held On: April 4, 2017.
No One spoke in favor or in opposition of the Applicant's appeal
Members present:
Steven Beer, Chair
Teresa Deschanes
Marshall McCormick
Environmental Review: Unlisted Action
These actions have been determined not to have a significant impact on the environment and are
otherwise precluded from environmental review under Environmental Conservation Law. CEQR Section
176-6 A (4) (b).
Tompkins County Review per Section 239 -1 & -m of New York State General Municipal Law:
N/A
Planning & Development Board Recommendation:
The Planning Board does not identify any long term planning impacts with this appeal.
Motion: A motion to grant the variance request was made by Teresa Deschanes.
Deliberations & Findings:
Discussions included: building addition and parking location of accessible parking spaces, size of the
proposed signs in relation to the buildings' location, and the need for the signs exceeding the maximum
square footage requirement.
Factors Considered:
1. Size of sign:
The request is fairly modest being only 10% over the total of the five signs. The applicants expressed that
the size of the signs is symmetrical to the larger fagade and the building is setback and at an odd angle.
Therefore, the slightly larger signs will be more visible to passing traffic. There was no evidence that the
larger sign were excessive.
2. Number of letters:
The existing signs have the same amount of letters as the new proposed signs, except that they are slightly
larger.
3. Other signs:
Signs on the plaza directly across the street and larger signs down the road from this location, are all in the
drive through commercial area where larger signs fit into the commercial character of the area.
4. The character of the neighborhood:
The property is not in a residential neighborhood rather it is in a commercial area where the signs fit into
the context of the area. There has not been any evidence that the new signs pose a detriment to the
character of the neighborhood.
5. Public Interest:
The freestanding sign will be unchanged and the building signs will not affect the views or open spaces.
Second Motion to Grant Variance: Made by Marshall McCormick.
Vote:
Steven Beer, Chair: Yes
Teresa Deschanes: Yes
Marshall McCormick: 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 272-7A 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.
*Condition: Any modification to the signs permitted by this variance must seek a new appeal from the
BZA for approval.
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Secretary, Bdafd of Zoning Appeals
_April 19, 2017
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