Item 9ACase No.
SV18-0003
S T A F F R E P O R T
August 14, 2018
CASE NO: SV18-0003
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Office Evolution EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: On behalf of Office Evolution, Priority Signs and Graphics is requesting
approval of variances to the Southlake Town Square Phase I Master Sign Plan
(MSP) regulations to allow illuminated upper story signage that exceeds
maximum allowed letter height. Office Evolution is located at 180 State Street,
Suite 225, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: Office Evolution is occupying approximately 6,000 square feet located on the
second floor above Malouf’s in Southlake Town Square.
The applicant is requesting an upper story attached building sign on the north
and west elevations. The MSP regulations limit letter height for upper story
signs to 10 inches and the applicant is requesting a maximum letter height of 12
inches. The MSP regulations also prohibit upper story signage from being
illuminated and the proposed signs are halo lit.
The details of the sign variances requested are as follows:
Sign Regulation Permitted by MSP Proposed
Upper Story
Maximum Letter
Height in SLTS
Phase I
10 inches
Two upper story attached building
signs on the north and west
elevations proposed at 12 inch
maximum letter height
Illumination Upper story signage shall
not be illuminated
Two attached building signs on the
north and west elevations
proposed to be illuminated.
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of the Requested Variances
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Presentation
Demonstration
Support Documents
STAFF CONTACT: Dennis Killough (817)748-8072
Lorrie Fletcher (817)748-8069
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No. Attachment A
SV18-0003 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Priority Signs and Graphics on behalf of Office Evolution
PROPERTY SITUATION: 180 State Street, Suite 225, Southlake, Texas.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 1, Block 1R, Southlake Town Square Addition
CURRENT ZONING: DT – Downtown District
HISTORY: November 1998 – Phase I Sign Regulations adopted
March 1999 – Phase II Sign Regulations adopted
November 2005 – Grand Avenue Sign Regulations adopted
April 4, 2006 – Grand Avenue MSP Amendment increased upper story
letter height maximum from 10 inches to 12 inches. The amendment
included specific approval for illuminated Merrill Lynch upper story
signage. (SP06-146)
November 5, 2013 – Del Frisco’s Grille was granted multiple sign
variances to include illuminated upper story signage. (SV13-021)
December 1, 2015 – Fusion Academy was granted upper story signage
that exceeded maximum letter height and halo illumination. (SV15-009)
April 3, 2018 – Mattison Avenue was granted upper story signage that
exceeded maximum letter height and halo illumination. The approval
also included a building blade sign on a façade that did not correlate
with their lease space. (SV18-002)
SIGN BOARD: August 9, 2018; Approved (6-0) subject to the Staff Report dated August
3, 2018 and as presented.
STAFF COMMENTS: City Council approval of the request does not eliminate the requirement
for a sign application submittal prior to sign installation. Please contact
Seantay Carpenter for sign application processing and pre-install
inspection. Seantay can be reached at 817-748-8215 or
scarpenter@ci.southlake.tx.us.
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:
Case No. Attachment A
SV18-0003 Page 2
(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
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.
Case No. Attachment B
SV18-0003 Page 1