SB Item 5Case No.
SV21-0022
S T A F F R E P O R T
October 29, 2021
CASE NO: SV21-0022
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Florence Elementary School EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: VLK Architects is requesting approval of a sign variance to Sign Ordinance No. 704,
as amended, for Florence Elementary School located at 205 Harrell Drive,
Southlake, Texas.
DETAILS: The property is located at the southeast corner of the E. Southlake Blvd. and S.
Village Center Drive.
The applicant is requesting a variance to Sign Ordinance No. 704, as amended, to
allow a non-illuminated roof sign located on the front façade entry canopy of the
newly constructed elementary school. The proposed roof mounted sign, which is not
permitted by the Sign Ordinance, is located on the front façade on the west side of
the building along Harrell Drive and is not located within the middle 75% of the
façade. The proposed 1-inch letter depth does not meet the required minimum 2-
inch depth.
Site Plan:
Case No.
SV21-0022
Proposed Sign
Location Proposed Sign Details Ordinance 704, as amended
Regulations
Roof Sign
• Roof sign located on entry canopy
• Not located within the middle 75% of the
single plane facade
• Cast aluminum letters
• Letter ht.: 16 in.
• Sign width: 30 ft.
• Sign area: 40 sq. ft.
• Letter depth: 1 in.
• Roof sign requires City Council approval
• Located within middle 75% of the single
plane facade
• Individually mounted metal letters
• Letter ht.: 24 in.
• Sign width: 42.7 ft.
• Sign area: 42.7 sq. ft.
• Letter depth: > 2 in
ACTION NEEDED: Consider approval of the requested sign variance
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Presentation
Narrative
Proposed Sign Details
STAFF CONTACT: Dennis Killough 817-748-8072
Patty Moos 817-748-8269
Case No. Attachment A
SV21-0022 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
OWNER: Keller ISD
APPLICANT: VLK Architects
PROPERTY SITUATION: 3095 Johnson Road, Southlake
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 16, J.G. Allen No. 18 Addition, City of Southlake, Tarrant County, Texas
LAND USE CATEGORY: Public/Semi-Public
CURRENT ZONING: “CS” Community Service District
HISTORY: Florence Elementary school was constructed in 1975 or 1976.
City Council placed the “CS” zoning on the property with adoption of the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 480 on September 19, 1989.
On May 5, 1998, City Council approved a Concept Plan on the property.
(ZA98-028)
On December 7, 1999, City Council approved a revised concept plan to
include shade structures. (ZA99-104)
A site plan (ZA10-028) to add a shade structure over existing playground
equipment was approved by City Council on June 15, 2010.
April 17, 2012; City Council approved a site plan for driveway and parking
improvements to allow better traffic flow. (ZA12-023)
May 30, 2012; A plat showing was filed for the property. (ZA12-033)
May 5, 2020, City Council approved a site plan for a replacement school
building on property with approved variances for to allow the stacking depth
for 2 driveways to be 51 feet for each driveway; to allow a 6 ft. vinyl-coated
chain-link fence along Johnson Road (a 4 ft. chain link fence was to be
replaced), and to allow an existing chain link fence to remain on the south
property line with additional landscaping. (ZA20-0023)
STAFF COMMENTS: City Council approval of the proposed signs 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
Case No. Attachment A
SV21-0022 Page 2
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 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.
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Case No. Attachment B
SV21-0022 Page 1