Item 9BCase No.
SV17-014
S T A F F R E P O R T
November 28, 2017
CASE NO: SV17-014
PROJECT: Dance With Me
REQUEST: On behalf of Dance With Me, Priority Signs and Graphics is requesting a variance
to the Southlake Town Square Grand Avenue District Sign Regulations and Sign
Ordinance 704, as amended, to allow a painted sign for Dance With Me located at
290 Grand Avenue, Southlake, Texas.
Dance With Me is generally located on the parking lot side of building, behind
Anthropologie and directly adjacent to the west parking garage in Southlake Town
Square.
The applicant is requesting a variance to the Southlake Town Square Grand
Avenue District Sign Regulations and the Sign Ordinance 704, as amended, to
allow a painted sign on the west elevation of their building lease space. Southlake
Town Square land management (RPAI) has submitted support for the proposed
sign, stipulating sign and logo must be painted; no vinyl graphics.
Specifically, under Sign Ordinance 704, as amended, Section 5.2.6, signs directly
painted on buildings are prohibited with the exception of signs that are less than
five square feet used for building identification.
Specifically, under the Southlake Town Square Grand Avenue District sign
regulations, Section 8.0 Non-Conforming Signs, certain signs, while not technically
meeting the requirements set forth, will nonetheless be considered for approval on
a case-by-case basis. Staff has determined that the proposed painted sign would
require City Council approval for a variance.
All other aspects of the proposed sign, such as letter/logo height, sign area and
placement are consistent with governing sign regulations. A fascia sign would be
permitted on the west wall of the tenant space by-right per the Town Square Grand
Avenue District Sign Regulations. Although, because the west elevation is not
defined as a "store front" or "public access" facade, a fascia sign would limited to
not more than 75% of the area of principal signage which is a maximum 30 square
feet. That being said, a maximum 22.5 square feet would be allowed at the subject
location. The proposed painted sign is 22.1 square feet.
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
SV17-014
Below is a summary of the requested variance:
Proposed Sign Sign Ordinance 704-I Southlake Town Square Grand
Avenue District Regulations
Sign directly painted on West Elevation of
building located at 290 Grand Avenue
(greater than 5 square feet; not intended for
the purpose of identifying physical building)
Prohibited sign Non-Conforming Sign, to be
considered on a case-by-case basis
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Sign Variance
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Link to Presentation
Link to Demonstration
Link to Proposed Sign Exhibits
STAFF CONTACT: Dennis Killough (748-8072)
Lorrie Fletcher (748-8069)
Case No. Attachment A
SV17-014 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: All American Family Fitness
OWNER: Inland Southwest Management
PROPERTY SITUATION: 1430 East Southlake Boulevard
HISTORY: West Side District painted directional signs (3).
September, 2001; permit issued for Larry North Fitness painted sign.
December 11, 2009; permit issued for Jack’s Porch painted signs (2).
March 20, 2012; City Council approved a variance request for a painted
sign for All American Family Fitness. (SV12-004)
November 4, 2014; City Council approved a variance request for a painted
sign for Columbia Sportswear. (SV14-015)
Case No. Attachment A
SV17-014 Page 2
Grand Avenue District Sign Variances include:
April 4, 2006; City Council approved a sign variance for Merrill Lynch and
an overall amendment to the Grand Avenue Conditional Sign Permit to
allow upper story signs a maximum letter height of 12 inches. Merrill Lynch
was also granted approval for a 25 inch logo. (SP06-146)
February 15, 2011; City Council approved a sign variance for Sephora to
allow the addition of a metal panel flame logo on their storefront that
exceeded allowable size and number of signs. (SV11-003)
SIGN BOARD: November 9, 2017; Approved (3-1) (Springer) subject to the Staff Report
dated November 3, 2017.
Commission Springer stated he didn’t think the proposed sign would be
noticed enough to make a difference.
STAFF COMMENTS: City Council approval of the proposed sign 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 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
Case No. Attachment A
SV17-014 Page 3
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\Conditional Sign Permits\Town Square\Grand Avenue Sign Package\SV17-014 Dance With Me\City Council\Item 9B.docx
Case No. Attachment B
SV17-014 Page 1