Item 9ACase No.
SV20-0019
S T A F F R E P O R T
January 26, 2021
CASE NO: SV20-0019
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Il Calabrese
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Il Calabrese, is requesting approval of variances to Sign Ordinance No. 704, as
amended, to allow one proposed attached sign and one proposed roof sign on the
building. The property is located at 1281 E. SH 114, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: The Il Calabrese restaurant property is located on the southwest corner of State
Street and E.SH 114. The restaurant is proposing updating their signage and
branding. The current signs were approved under variance in June of 2014.
The applicant is requesting variances for an upper story attached sign located on
the east façade that include variances for not being located within the middle 75%
of the façade, a backer plate, letter height, and sign area. Additionally, variances are
being requested for a proposed roof mounted sign, which is not permitted by the
Sign Ordinance, to be located on the north façade with two options. The preferred
Option ‘A’ includes variances to allow a roof mounted sign, not being located within
the middle 75% of the façade, a backer plate, and letter height. Option ‘B’ includes
variances to allow the roof mounted sign and the sign not being located within the
middle 75% of the façade. Additional details are in the attached chart.
Case No.
SV20-0019
Details of the sign variance request:
Proposed Sign Sign Ordinance 704, as
amended Proposed
East Elevation Upper Story
• Upper story sign requires City
Council approval
• Individually lit aluminum
channel letters
• Located within middle 75% of
single plane facade
• Backer plate prohibited
unless approved with a
variance by City Council
• Letter ht.: 16 in.
• Sign width: 24 ft.
• Sign area: 70 sf
• Upper Story
• Individually lit black
vinyl on white acrylic
and back lit channel
letters
• Not located within
middle 75% of single
plane facade
• Backer plate (pan sign)
• Letter ht.: 29 in.
• Sign width: 20 ft.
• Sign area: 120 sf (with
backer plate)
North Elevation Roof Sign
Preferred Option A
• Roof sign requires City
Council approval
• Individually lit aluminum
channel letter
• Backer plate prohibited
unless approved with a
variance by City Council
• Located within middle 75% of
the single plane facade
• Letter ht.: 24 in.
• Sign width: 4.17 ft.
• Sign area: 49 sf
• Roof Sign
• Individually lit black
vinyl on white acrylic
and back lit channel
letters
• Backer plate
• Not located within the
middle 75% of the
single plane facade
• Letter ht.: 29 in. and 5
in.
• Sign width: 50 in.
• Sign ht.: 60 in.
• Sign area: 20.8 sf
North Elevation Roof Sign
Option B
(black background is not a backer plate)
• Roof sign requires City
Council approval
• Individually lit aluminum
channel letter
• Located within the middle
75% of the single plane
facade
• Letter ht.: 24 in.
• Sign width: 52.5 ft.
• Sign area: 49 sf
• Roof Sign
• Individually lit black
vinyl on white acrylic,
back lit channel letters
• Not located within the
middle 75% of the
single plane facade
• Letter ht.: 22 in.
• Sign width: 13.9 ft.
• Sign area: 25.51 sf
Case No.
SV20-0019
ACTION: Consider Approval of Requested Variances
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Link to PowerPoint Presentation
Link to Demonstration
Link to Plans
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (817)748-8067
Patty Moos (817)748-8269
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0019 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Il Calabrese
PROPERTY SITUATION: 1281 E. SH 114, Southlake
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 3, Greenway-Carroll Addition
HISTORY: October 2, 2013; City Council approved SV12-019 Patrizio Osteria
Italian Restaurant sign variance to allow the proposed letter height
for “P” at 72 inches versus the current regulation of 24 inches.
June 17, 2014; City Council approved a sign variance for Il
Calabrese noting that the letters on the north elevation are not to
exceed 24 inches in height; and the overall length of the east
elevation sign is to be placed within the 75% of the boxed façade
area where the sign is being placed; the applicant has agreed to
restore the façade surface areas behind the existing two signs (to
be removed) to insure the façade (surface) is consistent with the
existing façade (surface); and approve the variances as presented
with the conditions stipulated. (SV14-011)
SIGN BOARD: January 21, 2021; Approved (4-0); subject to the Staff Report dated
January 21,2021 and a recommendation that the applicant take
forward both options to City Council with support of either option “A”
or “B” from the Sign Board.
STAFF COMMENTS: City Council approval of the proposed signs does not eliminate the
requirement for appropriate sign application submittal prior to the
installation of the sign. Please contact Seantay Carpenter at 817-
748-8215 or scarpenter@ci.southlake.tx.us for sign application
processing and pre-install inspection.
Variance Criteria:
9.6.2 VARIANCES
a. Variance Authorized. The City Council may authorize
variances to any restriction set forth in this ordinance,
including but not limited to the number, type, area, height, or
setback of signs, or any other aspect involved in the sign
permitting process.
b. Approval Standards. In granting any variance, City Council
shall consider the following criteria:
(i) Special conditions exist which are peculiar to the land,
structure or building involved and are not applicable to
other lands, buildings or structures in the same zone.
The City may attach such conditions to granting all or a
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0019 Page 2
portion of any variance necessary to achieve the
purpose of this ordinance, and;
(ii) The strict interpretation of the provisions of the
ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights
commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same zone
under the terms of the ordinance, and;
(iii) The special conditions and circumstances do not result
from the actions of the applicant and such conditions
and circumstances do not merely constitute pecuniary
hardship or inconveniences, and;
(iv) Granting the variance will meet the objectives of the
ordinance and not be injurious to the adjoining property
owners or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare,
and;
(v) The request will be the minimum variance necessary to
alleviate the special hardship or practical difficulties
faced by the applicant in meeting the requirements of
this ordinance; and;
(vi) Granting of the variance will be in harmony with the spirit
and purpose of this sign ordinance.
(vii) Granting of a variance shall be specific to the subject
sign(s). Any modification of the signage approved by the
variance or the installation of new or replacement
signage that does not meet the specific requirements of
the City Council variance approval is prohibited and will
be deemed non-compliant.
Application Process. Any request for a variance shall be made to
the Administrative Official and be accompanied by a completed
application and a non-refundable filing fee in the amount specified
in the current fee schedule adopted by City Council. The sign
variance will be considered by the City Council following a
recommendation by the Sign Board. The Sign Board’s
recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for their
consideration.
N:\Community Development\MEMO\Signs\2020\SV20-0019 – Il Calabrese
Case No. Attachment B
SV20-0019 Page 1