PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing to consider a variance to Section 6-16-3:7 (Prohibited Signs), Section 6-16-5:2.2.2 (Sign Area), and Section 6-16-5:2.2.4 (Sign Height) of the Naperville Municipal Code to grant sign variances on the subject property located at 1303 Ridgeland Avenue, Naperville - PZC 17-1-147.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Erin Venard
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Official notice for the public hearing for PZC 17-1-147 was published in the Naperville Sun on March 18, 2018.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property was developed in 1994 as Lot 2 of Naper Ridge Subdivision. Lot 2 is developed with a single-story bank building and associated parking. Lot 1 is located directly east of Lot 2 and is improved with a two-story commercial building and associated parking. Located on the north side of Ridgeland Avenue, east of Naper Boulevard, the subject property has a common address of 1303 Ridgeland Avenue and is zoned OCI (Office, Commercial, and Institutional District). The East Sector Update to the Comprehensive Master Plan (1998) describes the future land use of the subject property as “commercial”; the current land use is compatible with this designation.
The petitioner, Naper Ridge LLC c/o Highland Management Associates, Inc., proposes to replace an existing off-premises ground sign on Lot 2. The proposed sign will be utilized by both Lot 1 and Lot 2 and will require variances from the Municipal Code for both sign area and height. An existing ground sign will remain located on Lot 1.
DISCUSSION:
Variance for Off-Premises Sign
The petitioner is requesting to locate a ground sign on Lot 2. The proposed sign will also be utilized by Lot 1 and is therefore considered an off-premises sign. The Municipal Code <https://library.municode.com/il/naperville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ZORE_CH16SI_6-16-2DE> defines an off-premises sign as “a sign which directs attention to a product and/or service sold, offered, created, furnished, or conducted at a location not directly associated with the property or site at which the sign is located.” Per Section 6-16-3:7 (Prohibited Signs) <https://library.municode.com/il/naperville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ZORE_CH16SI_6-16-3PRSI>, off-premises signs displaying commercial speech are not permitted.
Lot 2 has frontage on Naper Boulevard, while Lot 1 only has frontage along Ridgeland Avenue. Ridgeland Avenue has lower visibility and traffic volume than Naper Boulevard, which is classified as a major arterial. As such, staff finds the placement of the sign on Lot 2 appropriate. The petitioner’s responses to the standards for granting a variance for an off-premises sign are attached. Upon review, staff agrees with the petitioner’s findings and recommends their adoption by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Variance for Sign Area
The petitioner also requests a variance from Section 6-16-5:2.2.2 (Sign Area) <https://library.municode.com/il/naperville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ZORE_CH16SI_6-16-5SICOINPR> to allow the proposed ground sign to exceed the maximum allowable sign area of 45 square feet. The petitioner is requesting a total sign area of 100 square feet, approximately 55 square feet larger than permitted by Code. Permitted ground sign area is based upon the posted speed limit. On a road with a posted speed limited of 40mph or less, such as Naper Boulevard, a 45 square foot ground sign is permitted.
The petitioner’s responses to the standards for granting a variance for sign area are attached; staff does not concur with the responses to the standards submitted by the petitioner. Staff’s comments with respect to the proposed findings for the requested variance, based upon a review of the subject property, applicable Code provisions, standards for variance requests, and the East Sector Plan, are as follows:
Variance Standard #1: The variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and the adopted comprehensive master plan.
Staff Comments: The purpose of the City’s sign code includes advancing the economy of the City by recognizing the need for adequate site identification through promoting the reasonable and objective display of signage. Permitted sign area is based upon speed due to driver visibility. On roads with a higher posted speed limit, a larger sign is permitted to increase visibility as drivers quickly pass. The posted speed limit on Naper Boulevard is 40mph, allowing a 45 square foot sign. Staff finds that a code compliant 45 square foot sign, in conjunction with the existing ground sign located on Lot 1, will sufficiently identify the subject businesses.
Variance Standard #2: Strict enforcement of the Zoning Regulations would result in practical difficulties or impose exceptional hardships due to special or unusual conditions which are not generally found on other properties in the same zoning district.
Staff Comments: The subject property is zoned OCI (Office, Commercial, and Institutional). The subject property is not unique from other properties in the same zoning district and strict enforcement of the sign regulations does not result in a hardship. As noted above, ground sign size is regulated by posted speed limit.
Variance Standard #3: The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood and will not be a substantial detriment to adjacent property.
Staff Comments: The subject property is located on Naper Boulevard in an area that contains a mix of residential, institutional, office, and commercial uses. The majority of ground signs along the Naper Boulevard corridor meet the sign area maximum. One of the stated purposes of the Sign Code is to enhance the physical appearance of site identification harmony with the visual character of the associated street corridor. The proposed sign is approximately 55 square feet larger than what is permitted by Code and is larger than the majority of surrounding signs; therefore, the area/size of the proposed sign is not in harmony with the visual character of the Naper Boulevard street corridor.
Variance for Sign Height
The petitioner also requests a variance from Section 6-16-5:2.2.4 (Sign Height) <https://library.municode.com/il/naperville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ZORE_CH16SI_6-16-5SICOINPR> to allow the proposed monument sign to exceed the maximum allowable sign height of 10’, plus 2’ for architectural features. The petitioner is requesting a total sign height of 12’, without any proposed architectural features. The proposed sign is 2’ taller than permitted by Code.
The petitioner’s responses to the standards for granting a variance for sign height are attached; staff does not concur with the responses to the standards submitted by the petitioner. Staff’s comments with respect to the proposed findings for the requested variance, based upon a review of the subject property, applicable Code provisions, standards for variance requests, and the East Sector Plan, are as follows:
Variance Standard #1: The variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Regulations and the adopted comprehensive master plan.
Staff Comments: The purpose of the City’s sign code includes advancing the economy of the City by recognizing the need for adequate site identification through promoting the reasonable and objective display of signage. Permitted sign height is the same in all commercial and industrial districts (10’, plus 2’ for architectural features). Staff finds that a code compliant sign in conjunction with the requested off-premises variance, will sufficiently identify the subject business.
Additionally, one of the stated goals of the City’s East Sector Plan includes encouraging development with consistent signage. The height of the sign is inconsistent with the surrounding signage, which also must comply with the height requirement of 10’, plus 2’ for architectural features.
Variance Standard #2: Strict enforcement of the Zoning Regulations would result in practical difficulties or impose exceptional hardships due to special or unusual conditions which are not generally found on other properties in the same zoning district.
Staff Comments: The subject property is zoned OCI (Office, Commercial, and Institutional), as are the other properties in the area along Naper Boulevard. The subject property is not unique from other properties in the same zoning district and strict enforcement of the sign regulations does not result in a hardship. Per Code, the petitioner is permitted a 10’ sign, plus a bonus of 2’ for architectural features, for a total of height of 12’.
Variance Standard #3: The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood and will not be a substantial detriment to adjacent property.
Staff Comments: As noted above, one of the stated purposes of the Sign Code is to enhance the physical appearance of site identification harmony with the visual character of the associated street corridor. The proposed sign height is approximately 2’ taller than what is permitted by Code and is taller than the surrounding signs; therefore, the height of the proposed sign is not in harmony with the visual character of the Naper Boulevard street corridor.
Key Takeaways
§ The petitioner is requesting to install an off-premises ground sign on Lot 2 of Naper Ridge Subdivision. Staff is in support of the request for the off-premises sign.
§ The petitioner is also requesting variances for the sign area and sign height. Staff does not support the proposed variances as they do not meet the standards for granting a variance.