Item 4M
Case No.
SV20-0015
S T A F F R E P O R T
November 10, 2020
CASE NO: SV20-0015
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Sushi Dojo
REQUEST: Signs Express is requesting approval of a variance to the Sign Ordinance No.
704, as amended, to allow an upper story sign and a backer plate on the west
façade of Sushi Dojo. The property is located at 3105 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite
140, Southlake, Texas. The Sushi Dojo lease space is located at the southeast
intersection of Bank Street and E. Southlake Blvd.
The specific variances are as follows:
At the Sign Board meeting, the Sign Board had requested that the applicant
reduce the sign area to meet the Sign Ordinance. For the City Council meeting,
the applicant has reduced the sign area from 32 sf to a compliant 28 sf.
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Variance
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
PowerPoint Presentation
Demonstration
Narrative
Plans
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (817)748-8067
Patty Moos (817)748-8269
Sign Regulation Permitted by
Sign Ordinance 704-J Proposed
Upper Story Sign
Upper story signs require
a Master Sign Plan or
variance
Upper story, west
elevation
Letter Height 34.5-inches 23 in. and 22 in.
Sign Area 28.75 sf 28 sf
Sign Width 21.6 ft. 6.4 ft.
Backer Plate
Prohibited unless
approved by City Council
with a variance
1 qty. 5 ft. x 6.4 ft.
backer plate
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0015 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Signs Express
PROPERTY SITUATION: 3105 E. Southlake Blvd., Suite 140, Southlake, Texas.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 12R1, Block A, Southlake Bank Place Addition
CURRENT ZONING: “C-3” General Commercial District
HISTORY: There is no history for sign variances on this property.
SIGN BOARD: November 5, 2020; Approved (6-0) subject to the Staff Report dated
October 30, 2020; and specifically noting approval of the variances for
the upper story sign and backer plate; and denying the variance for the
sign area.
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
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.
a. 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;
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0015 Page 2
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\2020\SV20-0015 – Sushi Dojo
Case No. Attachment B
SV20-0015 Page 1