01/23/1990
PUBLIC HEARING
January 23, 1990
Case # 89-5575
3:05 p.m.
Donald Conn, Hearing Officer
Also present: Miles Lance, Assistant City Attorney
John Richter, Planning & Development Code Administrator
Ron Nichols, representing the Petitioner
Susan Stephenson, Deputy City Clerk
Issue: Perkins of Clearwater, Ltd. for variances of 1) 21 ft. in height to
allow a 41 ft. high pole sign and 2) 98.4 sq. ft. of property
identification signage to permit a total of 322.4 sq. ft. of such
signage to allow the existing pole sign to remain after October 13,
1992 at 2626 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., Section 17-29-16, M&B 23.07, zoned
CH (highway commercial) V 89-161.
Appellant's Exhibit #1 - Photograph of sign.
The Hearing Officer acknowledged receipt of recording and minutes of the Development Code Adjustment Board meeting of September 14, 1989 and the application.
The Planning Official stated Perkins is located at the NE corner of US 19 and SR 60, east of the overpass on the service road. Two sign variances were requested for the sign oriented
toward US 19 regarding height and size which the Development Code Adjustment Board denied. It is 289 sq. ft. and the applicant wishes to change the face of the sign. The purpose of
this appeal is to allow the sign to continue in a non-conforming status beyond the 1992 deadline. A permit can be issued to change the face, but the sign would have to conform in 1992.
There are fifteen standards that must be met to allow a non-conforming sign to remain beyond the amortization date. Because this property fronts on two major thoroughfares, two property
identification signs are permitted for a total of 224 sq. ft., but the applicant proposes 322 sq. ft. of signage.
Mr. Nichols, representing Perkins, withdrew the request for increased square footage and stated he is only appealing the issue of height. Staff recommended a variance be granted because
of the overpass. Two photos of the sign were submitted. Several neighboring businesses have applied for variances. They feel a more visible sign will attract more business. They
will comply with the size of the sign, but feel they need the height variance.
John Richter, Code Administrator for the City, stated granting of a variance is usually conditioned on the sign being brought into conformance in 1992. Fewer variances are being granted
and few conditions are being placed on variances that are granted due to the close proximity of the end of the amortization period.
Mr. Nichols stated the sign cannot be seen from Gulf-to-Bay. He believes that the US 19 overpass is over 20 feet high.
John Richter stated that the height of a sign is measured from the
natural grade and the height of the overpass would not affect the allowed height of the sign.
The Hearing Officer stated he would render a decision within 30 days.
Meeting adjourned at 3:35