Item 9BCase No.
SV20-0016
S T A F F R E P O R T
November 10, 2020
CASE NO: SV20-0016
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Epicenter Dance Revolution
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Signs Express is requesting approval of variances to Sign Ordinance No. 704-J
and the Gateway Plaza I Master Sign Plan (MSP) for an attached building sign
to allow a taller than allowed logo and sign height on the north elevation. The
sign is proposed to be located at 2911 E. SH 114, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: The Epicenter Dance Revolution (Epicenter for the Arts) lease space is generally
located approximately 950-feet east of the northeast intersection of N. Nolen
Drive and E. SH 114 and located within Gateway Plaza Phase I. The lease space
is approximately 15,024 square feet in floor area, categorizing it in the Master
Sign Plan as “anchor retail.” The approved Gateway Plaza Phase I Master Sign
Plan allows a maximum sign area of 4 ft. in height by 28.5 ft. in width (114 sq. ft.
area), a maximum letter/logo height of 48-inches and requires aluminum channel
letters with Plexiglas faces. The proposed sign will have individually black
day/night channel letters that will appear white at night and a day/night green
logo that will appear green and white at night.
After the November 5, 2020 Sign Board meeting, the applicant has provided an
option as requested by the Sign Board. The option complies the Gateway Plaza
Phase I Master Sign Plan regulations for the lease space.
The specific variance requested is as follows:
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Sign Variance
Sign Regulation Permitted by
MSP
Permitted by
704-J
Proposed at
Sign Board
Proposed at
City Council
Attached Sign
Individually lit
aluminum channel
letters with Plexiglas
fronts. Letters only.
Individually lit
aluminum channel
letters with logo.
Individually lit
black day/night
channel letters
Individually lit
black day/night
channel letters
Letter Height 48 inches 42 inches 19 in. and 30 in. 28 in. and 30 in.
Logo Height 48 inches 52.5 inches 60-inches 48-inches
Sign Height 48-inches 42-inches 73.9-inches 48-inches
Sign Area 114 sf 97.5 sf 71.5 sf 112 sf
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
SV20-0016
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
PowerPoint Presentation
Demonstration
Narrative
Plans 11-5-20 Sign Board
Plans 11-17-20 City Council
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (817)748-8067
Patty Moos (817)748-8269
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0016 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Signs Express
PROPERTY SITUATION: 2911 E. SH 114, Southlake, Texas
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)
February 21, 2012; Sign Variance for Mellow Mushroom was approved.
(SV12-002)
June 19, 2012; Sign Variance for Modia was approved. (SV12-007)
February 5, 2013; Sign Variance for Men’s Wearhouse was approved.
(SV12-030)
October 1, 2019; Sign Variance was approved for The Christmas Shoppe.
(SV19-011)
SIGN BOARD: November 5, 2020; Approved (6-0) a motion to deny the request and
noting the applicant willingness to bring alternate proposals to the City
Council with regard to the sizing and the script letters versus block
lettering so that Council understands the potential options and the
applicant’s need to have a vote on that prior to the holidays.
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
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0016 Page 2
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 Board’s recommendation will
be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration.
Case No. Attachment B
ZA20-0016 Page 1