CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Pass the ordinance approving variances to permit the replacement of an existing monument sign on the subject property located at 22 E. Chicago (River Square) - PZC 20-1-004 .
body
DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Scott Williams, AICP
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Planning and Zoning Commission considered this matter on April 29, 2020 and voted to recommend approval of the request (Approved, 9:0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the south-east corner of Chicago Avenue and Washington Street. The property is zoned B4 (Downtown Core District) and is approximately 2.94 acres in size. The site is improved with a multi-tenant shopping center and associated parking lot commonly referred to "River Square."
The existing monument sign is located on the hard corner of Chicago Avenue and Washington Street and oriented at an angle with the sign facing the intersection (as depicted on the plat of survey). The landscaping bed is arrayed primarily around the front of the sign. While the existing monument sign was installed at a time when such signs were permitted in the Downtown, the sign regulations have since been amended to prohibit such signs in the Downtown.
On October 2, 2019, the owner went before the Planning and Zoning Commission seeking an appeal of the Downtown Design Guidelines in order to paint the existing masonry fa?ade to help improve the aesthetics of the shopping center. The appeal was later withdrawn in favor of staining the fa?ade which was administratively approved by staff.
DISCUSSION:
The petitioner, Mid-America Asset Management, LLC (petitioner), is seeking to replace the existing sign in the same location. The proposed sign structure is 5' in height, the face of the sign is approximately 44 square feet (not including architectural features and address lettering), and is setback more than 10' from the adjacent Chicago Avenue...
Click here for full text