CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance approving a variance related to the proposed ground sign at 1479 W Ogden Avenue (Napleton Porsche Service Center) - PZC 23-1-066
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Brad Iwicki, Assistant Planner
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) considered PZC 23-1-066 on September 20, 2023, and recommended approval of the request (approved 6-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located at 1479 W Ogden Avenue. The property is 4.345 acres and is to be improved with an automobile service center and an associated parking lot. The property is zoned I Industrial District.
DISCUSSION:
The petitioner requests approval of a variance for a ground sign- advertising the Napleton Porsche Service Center. Details regarding the proposed sign are outlined below.
The subject property, west of W Ogden Avenue and south of the BNSF Railway, is vacant and currently does not feature any signage. Per the petitioner, it is situated near an underpass, limiting the property’s visibility for vehicles traveling southbound on Ogden.
Section 6-16-5:2.2 (Ground Signs) of the Naperville Municipal Code limits the maximum ground sign height to 10 feet. The proposed ground sign is approximately 20 feet tall and is planned for installation along W Ogden Avenue at the southern portion of the lot. The ground sign complies with the other applicable sign regulations in terms of square footage, setbacks, design, illumination, and landscaping. It is a monument style sign with a white aluminum sheet base and structure that is characterized by a molded Porsche crest and text that reads “SERVICE”, which will both be internally illuminated. The proposed sign will have the address number included near the base as indicated by the petitioner.
The petitioner indicates that the taller, more visible sign will help ensure vehicles traveling southbound on Ogden Avenue see the curb cut providing access to the property after passing under the BNSF Railway. Additionally, they have provided a photo exhibit to support the variance request. This exhibit displays several automobile dealership monument signs in the surrounding area, all with an approximate height of 20 feet.
Staff is supportive of the variance requested due to the aesthetic quality proposed for the sign, including the internal illumination of the crest and abundant landscaping. Prior to 2017, car dealerships were permitted to have signage that could be twice as tall as any other commercial establishment. Sign code amendments completed in 2017, which were aimed at creating a “content neutral sign code” per Supreme Court direction, eliminated these additional allowances, and car dealership sign regulations are now consistent with all other commercial establishments. Staff finds that the signage proposed for the subject property is generally consistent with the character of pre-existing car dealership signage in the Corridor and therefore supports the sign as proposed.
Findings of Fact
The petitioner’s responses to the Standards for Granting a Zoning Variance can be found in the attachments. Upon review, the Planning and Zoning Commission and staff are in general agreement with the variance findings and recommends adoption by City Council.
Related Files
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