SB Item 4 - SV17-004 Tate Family DentistryCase No.
SV17-004
S T A F F R E P O R T
March 17, 2017
CASE NO: SV17-004
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Tate Family Dentistry EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: On behalf of Tate Family Dentistry, John Michael Tate is requesting approval of
a variance to Sign Ordinance No. 704, as amended, to allow a second business
monument sign that does not meet minimum distance or setback criteria and
includes sign panels that are inconsistent in background color and address
numerals that do not meet the minimum height requirement. Tate Family
Dentistry is located at 3101 E. State Highway 114, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: Tate Family Dentistry is located on the northwest corner of SH 114 eastbound
frontage road and Gateway Drive. The existing building is currently occupied by
two (2) tenants (Dr. Tate and Baylor) and has one (1) vacancy.
Due to the realignment of Gateway Drive during the DFW Connector Project
and the topography of the site, the space available for a second monument sign
is extremely limited. The applicant’s request for a second monument sign is to
facilitate a more identifiable approach from the Gateway Drive side of the
property. The applicant is requesting variances to the Sign Ordinance No. 704-I
regulations to allow a second business monument sign that does not meet
minimum distance or setback criteria and includes sign panels that are
inconsistent in background color and address numerals that do not meet the
minimum height requirement. There is an existing legal nonconforming
monument sign located off of the eastbound SH114 frontage road and there is
a compliant directory monument sign on the west side of the building identifying
dental office parking.
Sign Ordinance No. 704-I does allow for a business to have one monument
sign per street front, however, the monument signs are required to be a
minimum 500 feet apart, the proposed monument sign is approximately 116
feet from the existing monument sign. The required minimum setback distance
for a monument sign located off of Gateway Drive is ten (10) feet from the
property line and the proposed setback distance from the property line is
approximately one (1) foot. For signs with multiple sign panels, the background
color for all sign panels on the sign is required to be consistent and the
background colors for the sign panels on the proposed monument sign are
requested to match what is currently installed on the existing monument sign
which are not consistent in color. The proposed monument sign also indicates
address numerals that are 4 inches and a minimum of 6 inches is required at
this location.
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
SV17-004
The details of the sign variances requested are as follows:
Sign Regulation Permitted Sign Ord.
704-I Proposed
Minimum Separation Distance for two
(2) Monument Signs on a single site. 500 feet 116 feet
Minimum Setback Distance 10 feet from the
property line
1 foot from the
property line
Background color for multiple panels consistent in color
white and blue
(matching the
existing panels)
Minimum height for address numerals 6 inches 4 inches
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Variances
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Link to PowerPoint Presentation
Link to Demonstration
Link to Support Documents
STAFF CONTACT: Dennis Killough (817)748-8072
Lorrie Fletcher (817)748-8069
Case No. Attachment A
ZA17-004 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: John Michael Tate – Owner
PROPERTY SITUATION: 3101 East S.H. 114, Southlake, Texas.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 5, Block 1, Gateway Plaza Addition
CURRENT ZONING: “O-1” Office District
HISTORY: In 1985 the initial construction building permit was issued to Dr. Tate for
an office building. The existing business monument sign was erected
prior to the adoption of the first city sign ordinance (1998).
In 1996, a building remodel permit was issued.
In 2004 a directional monument sign permit was issued.
STAFF COMMENTS: The application exhibits are hyper-linked to this report. City Council
approval of the request does not eliminate the requirement for an
appropriate sign application submittal prior to sign installation. 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 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
Case No. Attachment A
ZA17-004 Page 2
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.
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Case No. Attachment B
ZA17-004 Page 1