Item 9BCase No.
SV19-0008
S T A F F R E P O R T
August 13, 2019
CASE NO: SV19-0008
PROJECT: Sign Variances for L Makeup Institute
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: L Makeup Institute is requesting approval of variances to the Master Sign Plan for
Southlake Town Square, Phase I (MSP) and Sign Ordinance No. 704, as amended,
to allow illuminated upper story attached buildings signs, an illuminated awning sign,
and pole pocket banner signs for L Makeup Institute located at 112 State Street,
Southlake, Texas.
DETAILS: The L Makeup Institute will occupy the second floor of the building which includes
Corner Bakery, located on the northwest corner of State Street and E. Southlake
Blvd. A small retail space will also occupy a portion of the first floor entrance.
The applicant is requesting variances to the MSP and Sign Ordinance 704, as
amended, to allow illuminated upper story attached building signs that also exceed
maximum allowed letter height and sign area. The proposal also includes an
illuminated awning sign and two (2) pole pocket banner signs which are prohibited.
Specifically, under the MSP sign regulations, upper story and awning signs may not
be illuminated. Upper story signs are limited to a maximum letter height of 10 inches
and a maximum sign area of 30 square feet. There are two (2) upper story signs
proposed: 1) identified as Sign 7 – located on the southeast corner of the building,
has a letter height of 21.44 inches with a sign area of 45.66 square feet; 2) identified
as Sign 8 – located on a portion of the southwest elevation has a letter height of
19.06 inches and a sign area of 36.09 square feet. Sign 8 is also proposed on a
façade that is smaller than 50 feet in length which is not allowed by the MSP. The
proposed awning sign (Sign 4) is illuminated and has a letter height of 15.12 inches.
The tagline on the awning (Sign 5) is not illuminated and 6 ½ inches in letter height.
The maximum letter height allowed for an awning sign is 12 inches. In addition, there
are two (2) pole pocket banner signs (Sign 9) proposed on the south elevation of
the building. This sign type is not addressed in the MSP therefore would be
prohibited. Two attached signs on the same elevation is also not allowed.
Specifically, under Sign Ordinance 704, as amended, the pole pocket banner signs
are a prohibited sign type and more than one attached sign on the same elevation
is not allowed.
Case No.
SV19-0008
Below is a summary of the requested variances:
Sign Proposed Southlake Town Square
Phase I Regulations (MSP) Sign Ordinance 704-J
Sign 4 – L Makeup
awning sign
Reverse channel lit Awning signs may not be
illuminated Awning signs are prohibited
15.12 inch
maximum letter height
12 inch
maximum letter height Awning signs are prohibited
Sign 5 – awning sign
tagline
6.5 inch maximum letter
height / non-illuminated OK Awning signs are prohibited
Sign 7 – Attached
upper story building
sign on southeast
corner
Face lit illumination Upper story signs shall not be
illuminated
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
21.44 inch letter height Upper story signs shall have a 10
inch maximum letter height
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
45.66 square foot sign area
Upper story signs shall not
exceed 30 square feet in sign
area
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
Sign 8 – Attached
upper story building
sign on southwest
elevation
Face lit illumination Upper story signs shall not be
illuminated
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
19.06 inch letter height Upper story signs shall have a 10
inch maximum letter height
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
36.09 square foot sign area
Upper story signs shall not
exceed 30 square feet in sign
area
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
Upper story sign placed on a
façade that is approximately
40 feet in length
Upper story signs placed on a
façade that is less than 50’ in
length are not allowed
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
Sign 9 – upper story
pole pocket banner
signs on south
elevation
Two (2) pole pocket banner
signs Prohibited sign type Prohibited sign type
Two upper story attached
signs on the same elevation Prohibited sign type Prohibited sign type
On August 8, 2019, the Sign Board recommended approval (6-0) with multiple
conditions (see Attachment A, Page 2 for details). The applicant agrees with the
Sign Board recommendations for Signs 4, 5 and 7. However, respectfully requests
the City Council consider and discuss options for Signs 8 and 9.
Case No.
SV19-0008
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Variances
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Presentation
Demonstration
Supporting Documents
Meeting Worksheet
STAFF CONTACT: Dennis Killough (748-8072)
Lorrie Fletcher (748-8069)
Case No. Attachment A
SV19-0008 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: L Makeup Institute
OWNER: RPAI Southwest Management LLC
PROPERTY SITUATION: 112 State Street
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)
August 21, 2018 – Office Evolution was granted upper story signage that
exceeded maximum letter height and halo illumination. (SV18-0003)
March 19, 2019 – Fidelity Investments was granted upper story signage that
exceeded maximum letter/logo height and illumination. In addition, approved
for illuminated upper story building blade sign that exceeded maximum
letter/logo height. (SV19-0001)
SIGN BOARD: August 8, 2019; Approved (6-0) subject to the Staff Report dated August 2,
2019 and the following recommended changes shown in red:
Case No. Attachment A
SV19-0008 Page 2
Sign Proposed Southlake Town Square
Phase I Regulations (MSP) Sign Ordinance 704-J
Sign 4 – L Makeup
awning sign
Reverse channel lit Awning signs may not be
illuminated Awning signs are prohibited
15.12 12 inch
maximum letter height
12 inch
maximum letter height Awning signs are prohibited
Sign 5 – awning sign
tagline
6.5 inch maximum letter
height / non-illuminated OK Awning signs are prohibited
Sign 7 – Attached
upper story building
sign on southeast
corner
Face lit illumination Upper story signs shall not be
illuminated
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
21.44 18 inch letter height Upper story signs shall have a 10
inch maximum letter height
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
45.66 proportionate to the
letter height square foot sign
area
Upper story signs shall not
exceed 30 square feet in sign
area
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
Sign 8 – Attached
upper story building
sign on southwest
elevation
Face lit illumination Upper story signs shall not be
illuminated
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
19.06 inch letter height
Denied
Upper story signs shall have a 10
inch maximum letter height
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
36.09 square foot sign area
Upper story signs shall not
exceed 30 square feet in sign
area
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
Upper story sign placed on a
façade that is approximately
40 feet in length
Upper story signs placed on a
façade that is less than 50’ in
length are not allowed
Upper story signs require
City Council approval
Sign 9 – upper story
pole pocket banner
signs on south
elevation
Two (2) pole pocket banner
signs Denied Prohibited sign type Prohibited sign type
Two upper story attached
signs on the same elevation Prohibited sign type Prohibited sign type
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.
Case No. Attachment A
SV19-0008 Page 3
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
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\SV19-0008 - L Makeup Institute\CC packet\Item 9B.docx
Case No. Attachment B
SV19-0008 Page 1