Item 9CCase No.
SV19-0009
S T A F F R E P O R T
August 13, 2019
CASE NO: SV19-0009
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Taco Casa
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Willow Creek Signs, on behalf of Taco Casa, is requesting approval of a
variance to Sign Ordinance No. 704, as amended, to allow a non-conforming
sign panel to be placed on a non-conforming monument sign and an attached
sign panel on an existing gas pricing monument sign. Taco Casa is located at
2150 E. SH 114, Suite 101, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: Taco Casa is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of E. SH 114
and N. Kimball Avenue. The lease space is located on the west side of the
building. The request is to allow a multi-colored internally illuminated panel on
two existing monument signs.
The applicant is proposing an internally illuminated yellow and orange sign
panel to be attached to the existing gasoline pricing monument sign along E.
SH 114. The monument sign face area will be 113 square feet where 100
square feet is allowed by ordinance (a cabinet sign was previously approved for
Bottlecap Alley for the existing gasoline pricing sign under SV12-005 with a
total sign area of 112 square feet). The applicant is also proposing a sign panel
on the existing non-conforming monument sign located on N. Kimball Avenue.
The existing non-conforming monument sign lacks the required 6-inch masonry
surround and the existing sign panels are not the same color (currently blue
and green).
The details of the sign variances requested are as follows:
Sign Regulation Permitted by Sign
Ordinance Requested
Gasoline Pricing
Monument Sign on E.
SH 114
• Sign area: 100 sf (max.)
• Existing sign area: 88 sf
• Multiple tenant signs
background must be
consistent in color
• Proposed panel sign area: 25 sf
• Total sign area: 113 sf
• Panel sign color proposed as
orange and yellow
Monument Sign on N.
Kimball Avenue
• Multiple tenant signs
background must be
consistent in color
• Panel sign color proposed as
orange and yellow
The applicant is proposing a new attached building sign on the front (facing SH
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
SV19-0009
114) that is compliant with the Sign Ordinance. Currently, there are two existing
pre-order and menuboard sign areas for the lease space, one preview menu
board attached to the trash enclosure approved with a sign variance (SV12-
005) and one ordering menu board attached to the west side of the building.
These sign areas with sign face replacements will be utilized by Taco Casa.
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Sign Variance
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
ZA19-0009 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Willow Creek Signs on behalf of Taco Casa
PROPERTY SITUATION: 2150 E. SH 114, Suite 101, Southlake, Texas.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 5A, Block 1, Mesco Addition
HISTORY: May 5, 1998 – City Council approved a variance for a monument sign
with a readerboard for gasoline pricing with a maximum sign face of 100
sq. ft. and a maximum overall height of 14 feet.
October 1, 2002 – City Council approved a variance for 34-inch letters
for Guido’s Deli.
May 15, 2012; City Council approved a sign variance for Bottlecap Alley
to allow the addition of a 24.1 square foot “Bottlecap Alley” panel to the
base of the existing monument sign, to allow an attached menu board
sign to the existing dumpster enclosure, to allow an attached sign with a
40-inch logo on the west elevation, and to allow a sign with a 48-inch
logo on the south elevation (SV12-005)
STRATEGIC LINK: Quality Development
SIGN BOARD: August 8, 2019; Approved (6-0) subject to the Staff Report dated August
2, 2019, as presented.
STAFF COMMENTS: 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 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:
(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
Case No. Attachment A
ZA19-0009 Page 2
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\2019\SV19-0009 - Taco Casa
Case No. Attachment B
ZA19-0009 Page 1