HomeMy WebLinkAboutBZA 3141-301 E. State St.-Decision Letter-11-5-2019YNMnwuv e
CITY OF ITHACA
Tf1tsa 108 E. Green Street — 3rd Floor Ithaca, NY 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING, ZONING, &
Division of Zoning
Gino Leonardi, Secretary to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Telephone: 607-274-6550 Fax: 607-274-6558
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
E -Mail: gleonardi@cityofithaca.org
CITY OF ITHACA BOARD of ZONING APPEALS
Sign Variance Findings & Decision
Appeal No.: 3141
Applicant: Collegetown Bagels
Property Location: 301 E. State Street
Zoning District: CBD -120
Applicable Section of City Sign Ordinance: Section 272-4A (1).
Requirement for Which Variance is requested: Requirements for projecting signs.
Publication Dates: October 30, 2019 and November 1, 2019.
Meeting Held On: November 5, 2019.
Summary: Appeal of Collegetown Bagels for a sign variance from Section 272-4 A (1), requirements for
projecting signs. The property at 301 E. State Street is located on a triangular lot that fronts on E. State
Street, S. Aurora Street, and E. Green Street. Collegetown Bagels is a tenant in a commercial space located
on the E. State Street side of the building and proposes to install one projecting sign on that side of the new
building. The projecting sign is a two-sided, 9.2 SF sign that contains the restaurant name and logo on each
side of the sign. The sign is 31.5" wide by 21" tall and will be mounted on a steel tube that will project 35"
from the building facade. The sign ordinance requires that a sign project no more than 18" from the surface
to which the sign or sign structure is attached. The sign will project over the restaurant's outdoor seating
area and will not encroach upon the public right-of-way.
The property is located in a CBD -120 use district in which the proposed use is permitted. However, the
Sign Ordinance, Section 272-18, requires that variances be granted before a sign permit is issued.
Public Hearing Held On: November 5, 2019.
No public comments in favor or in opposition.
Members present:
Steven Beer, Chair
Teresa Deschanes
Steven Wolf
Stephanie Egan -Engels
Suzanne Charles
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Tompkins County Review per Section 239 -I & -m of New York State General Municipal Law:
N/A
Planning & Development Board Recommendation:
The Planning Board does not identify any negative long term planning impacts and supports this appeal.
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 November 5, 2019 declare
itself Lead Agency for the environmental review for the approval of zoning appeal 3141, a sign
variance for the property located at 301 E. State Street in the City of Ithaca.
Environmental Determination: The City of Ithaca Board of Zoning Appeals, acting as Lead
Agency, on November 5, 2019, reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) and
determined the requested variance will result in no significant impact on the environment.
Motion: A motion to grant the variance request was made by Teresa Deschanes
Deliberations & Findings:
Factors Considered:
1. Size of sign:
The sign is allowed to be up to 50 square feet and the proposed sign is 9.21 square feet. The size of the
sign is not an issue, but in fact it is the amount the sign projects from the building. In the case of the
projection, it is significantly increased from 18" to 35" from the building. However, because of the
triangular shape of the building, the large size of the building, and being located on a corner lot the
projection of the sign is not unreasonable.
2. Number of letters:
There are very small letters on the sign and the sign mostly contains the company logo. The letters consist
of the company name and the CTB logo.
3. Other signs:
The sign is in context of the other signs within the vicinity. The fact that it is part of the building sign
package for the building, which was determined by the size of the building.
4. The character of the neighborhood:
The sign is not detrimental to the neighborhood because the sign itself does not impinge on the public
way and in addition, it is not a lighted sign. The building lighting that exists will make the sign visible.
5. Public Interest:
The sign location is not a corner of open spaces or vistas. The sign will not impinge upon the public way
or shed light and therefore has no negative effect on the public interest.
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Second Motion to Grant Variance: Made by Stephanie Egan -Engels
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 272-4 A (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.
Gino
November 26, 2019
e( ard'toningAdministrator Date
Secretary, Board of Zoning Appeals
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