Item 9B - Tom ThumbCase No.
SV20-0013
S T A F F R E P O R T
October 13, 2020
CASE NO: SV20-0013
PROJECT: Sign Variances for Tom Thumb – Drive Up & Go
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: On behalf of Tom Thumb, Comet Signs is requesting approval of variances to Sign
Ordinance No. 704, as amended, to add an additional attached sign to the existing
Tom Thumb grocery store located at 100 W. Southlake Blvd., Suite 200, Southlake,
Texas.
DETAILS: Tom Thumb is located in the retail development at the northwest corner of White
Chapel Blvd. and West Southlake Blvd.
The applicant is requesting variances to Sign Ordinance No. 704, as amended, to
accommodate the addition of a third attached sign on the east end of south façade
where two existing signs (Tom Thumb and Pharmacy) are currently located. Only
one sign is permitted under the current Sign Ordinance. A variance was granted in
2008 to allow the two existing signs. An additional sign for Starbucks (SP07-315,
approved as a separate tenant within the store) is located on the south façade west
of the Pharmacy sign. The third sign is to identify the location of the “Drive Up & Go”
service.
Since the October 8, 2020 Sign Board meeting, the applicant has provided two
additional options for the proposed car logo of the sign as requested by the Sign
Board.
Case No.
SV20-0013
Below is a summary of the requested variances:
Sign Regulation Current Regulation 704-J
Existing Signs: Tom
Thumb and Pharmacy
(SV08-016)
Proposed Regulation
Number of Signs
1 per street frontage;
2 maximum
2 per street frontage 3 signs on a street frontage
Maximum Sign
Area
400 square feet
Tom Thumb: 289 sf
Pharmacy: 35 sf
Total: 324 sf
Tom Thumb: 289 sf
Pharmacy: 35 sf
Drive Up & Go: 26 sf
Total: 335 sf
Max. Letter Ht./
Logo Ht.
42 inches/52.5 inches
Tom Thumb: 72 inches
Pharmacy: 30 inches
Drive Up & Go: 13 & 14 in.
Logo: 48 inches
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Variances
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Presentation
Demonstration
Plans
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker 817-748-8067
Patty Moos 817-748-8269
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0005 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Comet Signs
OWNER: Tom Thumb / Albertsons
PROPERTY SITUATION: 100 W. Southlake Blvd.
HISTORY: August 15, 2000, City Council approved a variance to allow a maximum
letter height of 60 inches for the existing “Tom Thumb” sign with a
Pharmacy tag line.
February 19, 2008; City Council approved the “Tom Thumb” sign (60
inches) and “Pharmacy” sign without the mortar and pestle and did not
approve a “Signature Café” sign. (SP08-016)
March 5, 2020; Sign Board approved the motion to table a sign variance
request for parking lot grocery pick-up signage. (SV20-0005)
SIGN BOARD: October 8, 2020; Approved (6-1) subject to the Staff Report dated October
2, 2020; and noting the applicant’s willingness to bring forward alternative
colors including neutral colors before the City Council.
Commissioner Michael Springer dissented as he did not think the sign was
needed.
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
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0005 Page 2
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\Sign Variance\2020\SV20-0013 - Tom Thumb
Case No. Attachment B
SV20-0013 Page 1