Item 4NCase No.
SV20-0017
S T A F F R E P O R T
November 10, 2020
CASE NO: SV20-0017
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Retina Center of Texas
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Priority Signs and Graphics is requesting approval of a variance to Sign
Ordinance No. 704, as amended, to allow three (3) attached building signs on
the building, two of which are upper story signs. The sign is proposed to be
located at 305 Morrison Park Drive, Southlake, Texas.
REQUEST
DETAILS: The building is generally located approximately 950-feet east of the intersection
of Shady Lane and E. SH 114.
The applicant is requesting variances to allow 3 signs on the building and larger
that allowed height for the logos on the south elevation. There is currently a
permitted attached building sign for the north elevation entrance and a monument
sign on the E. SH 114 west bound access road under construction. The specific
variances requested are as follows:
Sign Regulation Permitted by Sign Ord.
704, as amended Proposed
South Attached Sign
• Upper story sign requires City
Council approval
• Individually lit aluminum channel
letters.
• Letter ht.: 24 in.
• Logo ht.: 30-inches
• Sign width: 29.3 ft.
• Sign area: 110.1 sf
• Upper Story
• Individually lit black day/night channel letters
• Letter ht.: 14.88 in.,13 in., 12.75 in., and 11 in.
• Logo ht.: 43-inches
• Sign width: 17.8 ft.
• Sign area: 64.08 sf
South Attached Sign
Tower Logo
• Upper story sign requires City
Council approval
• Logo ht.: 30-inches
• Sign width: 45-inches
• Upper Story
• Logo ht.: 36-inches
• Logo width: 36-inches
Number of Signs
Each lease or tenant space shall be
permitted only one attached building
sign per street front with a maximum of
two signs per tenant/lease space.
3 attached signs (1 north and 2 south)
Department of Planning & Development Services
Case No.
SV20-0017
ACTION NEEDED: Consider Approval of Requested Sign Variance
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
PowerPoint Presentation
Demonstration
Plans
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (817)748-8067
Patty Moos (817)748-8269
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0017 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Priority Signs and Graphics
PROPERTY SITUATION: 305 Morrison Drive, 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: August 1, 2006; City Council approved a zoning change and concept plan
from “AG” Agricultural District to “S-P-2” Generalized Site Plan District
with “O-1” Office District uses to include limited “C-3” General Commercial
District uses (for Lot 7) for the development of approximately 43,380
square feet for general office uses with approximately 10,000 square feet
of that square footage potentially used as a product showroom for retail
sales. (ZA06-031/480-491)
August 1, 2006; City Council approved a site plan for the development of
a law office building of approximately 5,600 square feet on Lot 1. (ZA06-
032)
October 17, 2006; City Council approved, a preliminary plat for Morrison
Office Park. (ZA06-134)
October 19, 2006; City Council approved a final plat for Morrison Office
Park. (ZA06-154)
January 2, 2007; City Council approved a site plan for Lots 2-7, Morrison
Office Park. (ZA06-166)
May 1, 2007; City Council approved a revised site plan for Lot 1, Morrison
Office Park. (ZA06-179)
May 1, 2007; City Council approved a specific use permit for carports (6
spaces) on Lot 1, Morrison Office Park; subject to the applicant’s
agreement to fill in the portion of the parking structure arch that faces
State Highway 114 with a feature that is architecturally compatible with
the main building. (ZA06-178)
November 18, 2008; City Council approved a zoning change and site plan
to modify the existing “S-P-2” Generalized Site Plan District zoning to
change the front yard setback for proposed Lot 7 and to change the
maximum permitted impervious coverage for the development. Both
changes were necessitated by the Texas Department of Transportation
requiring a right turn deceleration lane and additional right-of-way
dedication on SH 114 at the entrance of Morrison Park Drive. This
requirement was not known at the time of the original zoning and plan
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0017 Page 2
approval. The right-of-way dedication reduced the distance from ROW to
the building and removed land area from the boundary of the lot such that
the building could no longer meet the 50-foot front yard setback along SH
114 and the 55% maximum impervious coverage requirement for the
overall development. The only changes from the existing regulations and
uses as approved are to reduce the front yard for Lot 7 from 50 feet to 35
feet and change the maximum impervious coverage for the overall
development from 55% to 58%. (ZA08-093/480-491a).
November 18, 2014; City Council approved a zoning change and site plan
subject to the staff report dated November 12, 2014, accepting the
number of reduced covered parking spaces from eight to six and the
relocation of the carport; accepting the new elevations and colored
renderings as presented this evening; and, approving all previously
approved variances for Lot 1. (ZA14-110)
December 1, 2015; City Council approved a site plan for Lot 4 subject to
the Staff Report dated November 23, 2015 and Site Plan Review
Summary #2 dated November 13, 2015; approving the elevations and site
plan as presented; noting the applicant’s willingness to eliminate the
dumpster on Lot 2 along SH 114; and noting the applicant’s willingness
to install window shutters, at the designer’s discretion, to the front of the
building south elevation.(Lot 2)(ZA15-121)
December 1, 2015; City Council approve a site plan for Lot 6 subject to
the Staff Report dated November 23, 2015 and Site Plan Review
Summary #2 dated November 13, 2015; approving the elevations and site
plan as presented; and noting the applicant’s willingness to install window
shutters, at the designer’s discretion, to the front of the building south
elevation. (Lot 6) (ZA15-123)
April 2, 2019; City Council approved a zoning change and concept/site
plan to allow a two-story office building and add additional parking for
Lot 7 and allow 7,686 sq. ft. of medical uses and 2,910 sq. ft. of general
office uses.
SIGN BOARD: November 5, 2020: Approved (6-0) subject to the Staff Report dated
October 30, 2020; and specifically approving the upper story variance with
the logo height of 43-inches; and specifically approving the tower logo
upper story variance, but denying the request for the 36-inch logo height
and limiting it to 30-inches; and approving the number of attached signs
as requested; and also noting that the applicant will be required to come
back and obtain Sign Board approval if additional tenant signage is
required in the future.
Commissioner Springer dissented as he did not think the tower logo sign
was necessary.
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
Case No. Attachment A
SV20-0017 Page 3
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
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
ZA20-0017 Page 1