SB Item 6 - SV19-0011Case No.
SV19-0011
S T A F F R E P O R T
September 13, 2019
CASE NO: SV19-0011
PROJECT: Sign Variance for The Christmas Shoppe
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Randi Worsham is requesting approval of a variance to Sign Ordinance No. 704-
J and the Gateway Plaza I Master Sign Plan (MSP) to allow an existing non-
conforming attached building sign on the south elevation. The sign is proposed
to be located at 2960 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: The lease space is generally located north of the northwest intersection of E.
Southlake Blvd. and Gateway Drive in Gateway Plaza Phase I, east of Old Navy.
The space is approximately 3,668 square feet in floor area, categorizing it in the
Master Sign Plan as “small retail.” The approved Master Sign Plan allows a
maximum sign area 19.5 ft. in width by of 3 ft in height (58.5 sq. ft.), a maximum
letter/logo height of 36-inch and requires aluminum channel letters with Plexiglas
faces. The current Sign Ordinance No. 704-I prohibits backer plates and non-
neutral color internally lit signs. The applicant is proposing to use an existing sign
that was previously permitted at their former location, 2325 E. Southlake Blvd.,
Suite 150, under Sign Permit No. 15-0785. This sign was compliant at the time
of issuance of the permit. The proposed sign has letter heights of 14-inch and 6-
inches, a sign width of 8’-4”, sign height of 3’-10”, and total sign area of 32 square
feet including an aluminum backer plate. The proposed sign complies with
letter/logo height and the overall square footage of sign area permitted by the
master sign plan. However, the sign exceeds the maximum sign area height by
10” and consists of a prohibited backer plate and red internally lit channel letters.
The specific variance requested is as follows:
Sign Regulation Permitted by
MSP
Permitted by
704-J Proposed
Attached Sign
Individually lit
aluminum channel
letters with Plexiglas
fronts. Letters only.
Individually lit
aluminum channel
letters.
Backer plates
prohibited.
Existing sign
with channel
letters and
aluminum
backer plate
Channel Letter
Color
Color not addressed,
other than internal
lighting source be
neon 6500 white
Internally lit
Individually-mounted
channel letters must
be white, ivory, black,
grey, beige or similar
neutral colors.
Existing sign
with internally
lit red letters.
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
SV19-0011
Sign Height 36-inches NA
46-inches
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: Dennis Killough (817)748-8072
Patty Moos (817)748-826
Case No. Attachment A
SV19-0011 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OWNER/APPLICANT: The Christmas Shoppe, Randi Worsham
PROPERTY SITUATION: 2960 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 100, Southlake
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lots 3, Block 1, Gateway Plaza Addition Phase I
CURRENT ZONING: “S-P-2” Generalized Site Plan District
STRATEGIC LINK: C4 – Attract & keep top-tier businesses to drive a dynamic & sustainable
economic environment
HISTORY: February 2, 1999; Master Sign Plan approved for Gateway Plaza Ph I.
December 7, 2004; Sign Variance for Shogun Restaurant was approved.
(SP04-268)
November 20, 2007; Sign Variance for Modia was approved. (SP07-396)
June 19, 2012; Sign Variance for Modia was approved. (SV12-007)
February 5, 2013; Sign Variance for Men’s Wearhouse was approved.
(SV12-030)
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 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
SV19-0011 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 Board’s recommendation will
be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration.
Case No. Attachment B
ZA19-0009 Page 1