2008-08 GRANTING VARIANCES IN WEST MAIN STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT - 1096 WEST MAIN STREET

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STAFF REPORT Decatur City Plan Commission COMMON NAME: 1096 West Main Street GENERAL INFORMATION j Hearing Date March 6, 2008 Calendar No. 08-07 Property Location 1096 West Main Street Requested Action Sign Variance in the West Main Street Ov rlay District Petitioner John Phillips Representative LAND USE AND ZONING Direction Existing Land Use Zoning Comprehensive Plan Subject Property Automotive Service Station B-2 in High Density Residential WM-OL North RR ROW/Millikin R-6 Low Density Residential South Restaurant/Bar B-2 Commercial East Multi-Family Residential R-6 High Density Residential West RR ROW/Millikin R-6 Institutions BACKGROUND l. In November 2006, the Plan Commission recommended appr val and the City Council approved the creation of the West Main Street Overlay District to pr vide standards to allow for the preservation of the historic character of the street and neigh orhood. A set of design guidelines for the street was also approved as part of the overlay district being created. The guidelines for signage are more stringent than what is allowed for regular zoning districts. The petitioner is requesting a variance to allow for larger wall signs than are allowed by the guidelines as well as increasing the number of wall signs that are allowed. The Overlay District allows for one (1) wall sign per lot and a total of 25 square feet in area for the wall sign. The petitioner is requesting to allow a total of three (3) wall signs on the automotive service station that is currently being renovated. The entire property consists of three (3) lots, however two (2) of the requested wall signs will be located on the same lot. Therefore, the petitioner is requesting an increase in the number of wall signs allowed on a lot. The petitioner also requests that two (2) of the wall signs exceed the allowed area of a wall sign: one (1) sign that will face West Main Street will be 94 square feet in area and a second wall ign that will face Oakland Avenue will be 54 square feet in area. A third sign will be located o er the entrance facing the corner will be 20 square feet in area and does not require a variance. STAFF ANALYSIS 2. The automotive service station is located on the corner of West Main Street and Oakland Avenue and has been a commercial property for many years. Allo ing for wall signage for a long standing commercial property will not create a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The signage guidelines allow for one (1) wall sign per lot; this property contains three (3) lots which in theory would allow for three (3) wall signs, increasing the number of wall