SB Item 6Case No.
SV22-0012
S T A F F R E P O R T
October 14, 2022
CASE NO: SV22-0012
PROJECT: Sign Variance for The Learning Experience EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Priority Signs and Graphics is requesting approval of sign variances to Sign
Ordinance No. 704, as amended, for The Learning Experience located at 100
River Oaks Drive, Southlake, Texas.
DETAILS: The property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of River Oaks
Drive and W. Southlake Blvd.
The applicant is requesting variances to:
• Allow more than two (2) signs on a building for a total of four (4) signs;
• Allow three (3) signs on the east facade;
• Allow a larger than permitted letter height on the south and east facades of
the building;
• Allow a larger than permitted logo height on the south and east facade;
• Allow illuminated channel letter face colors that are not permitted in the
Sign Ordinance.
The applicant is proposing a monument sign that is compliant with the Sign
Ordinance.
Proposed Sign Location Proposed SV22-0012 Sign Ord. 704, as amended
East Façade
1 Attached Sign
Night view
• Total of 3 signs on the east facade
• Letter ht.: 13.9 in.,19.5 in. & 3.1 in. • Sign width: 10 ft. • Sign area: 35.5 sf
• Logo ht.: 42.6 in.
• Illuminated channel letters for “The
Learning Experience” Face color as
shown.
• Unlit tag line letters: 2 in. depth
• One attached sign on the façade
• Two signs per lease space
• Max. letter ht.: 16 in.
• Sign width: 15.75 ft
• Sign area: 87.5 sf
• Logo ht.: 20 in.
• Illuminated channel letter face
must be a neutral color or
illuminated with white halo
lighting
• Unlit letters: minimum 2 in depth
Case No.
SV22-0012
Proposed Sign Location Proposed SV22-0012 Sign Ord. 704, as amended
East Façade
2 Attached Signs
1,2,3,4 and A,B,C,D
on building columns
• Two attached signs on the front
façade building columns
• Total of 3 signs on the east facade
• Letter ht.: 8.8 in. & 9 in.
• Sign area: 6 sf and 8.4 sf (14.4 sf)
total • Sign width: 13.3 in. and 18.8 in.
• Blocks: Flat cut acrylic letters and
numbers .5 in. depth on a .125 in.
aluminum backer plate
• Unlit signs
• One attached sign on a façade
• Two signs per lease space
• Max. letter ht.: 16 in.
• Max sign area: 87.5 sf total
• Sign width: 18 in. each.
• Backer plates not permitted and
letters/numbers are required to
have 2 in. depth
• Unlit signs
South Façade
1 Attached Sign
Night view
• 1 sign on the south facade • Letter ht.: 11.1 in., 14.1 in., & 3.1
in.
• Sign area: 22.7 sf
• Sign width: 11.08 ft.
• Logo ht.: 34.1 in
• Illuminated channel letters for “The
Learning Experience” Face color as
shown.
• Unlit tag line letters: 2 in. depth
• Two signs per lease space • Max. letter ht.: 18 in.
• Sign area: 56 sf
• Sign width: 15.75 ft.
• Logo ht.: 22.5 in.
• Illuminated channel letter face
must be a neutral color or
illuminated with white halo
lighting
• Unlit letters: minimum 2 in depth
Monument Sign
2 sided
• Sign ht.: 8 ft.
• Maximum sign face ht. 6 ft.
• Maximum sign width: 9 ft. • Sign face area: 54 sf
• Number of sign panels: 6 on each
side, 12 total
• Setback from property line: 15 ft.
• Address number ht.: 8 in.
• Externally lit address number
• Externally lit monument panels
• Monument sign base: 7.4 in.
• Sign base and structure shall
match the building brick.
• Sign face framed by a minimum 6-
inch masonry surround
• Max. sign ht.: 8 ft.
• Maximum sign face ht. 6 ft.
• Maximum sign width: 16 ft. • Sign face area: 120 sf (60 sf
each)
• Number of sign panels: 6 on each
side; limited to one tenant name
on a panel.
• Setback from property line: 12 ft. • Address number ht.: 8 in.
• Illuminated address number
• Illuminated or non-illuminated
panels
• Monument sign base: less than 2
ft.
• Sign base and structure shall be
brick, stone, or masonry material
on the front faced of the building.
• Sign face framed by a minimum
6-inch masonry surround
Case No.
SV22-0012
ACTION: Consider Approval of Requested Sign Variance
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
Presentation
Demonstration
Plans
STAFF CONTACT: Dennis Killough 817-748-8072
Patty Moos 817-748-8269
Case No. Attachment A
SV22-0012 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Priority Signs
OWNER: The Learning Experience
PROPERTY SITUATION: 100 River Oaks Drive, Southlake
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 2, Block 1, River Oaks Addition
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: - The property was annexed into the Town of Southlake in 1956 as “AG”
(Ord. No. 041).
- February 7, 2006 – City Council approved ZA05-091 Rezoning from “AG”
to “S-P-2” with “O-1” and “C-2” uses and Concept Plan for Stonebridge Park
at Southlake Phase II (Ord. No. 480-474).
- August 15, 2006 – City Council approved ZA06-075 a Site Plan for Lots 1
& 4 of River Oaks, consisting of 4 buildings totaling approximately 15,000
square feet.
- August 17, 2006 – Planning and Zoning Commission approved ZA06-077
a Final Plat of River Oaks, Lots 1-10 on consent.
- August 6, 2013 – City Council approved ZA13-062 a Site Plan for Lot 8 of
River Oaks, consisting of 2 buildings totaling approximately 6,000 square
feet. One building at 120 River Oaks was constructed in 2013/2014.
- February 7, 2017 - City Council approved a Zoning Change and Site Plan
for River Oaks, Lot 7 amending the zoning ordinance to include the
architectural renderings presented as an acceptable building type for all lots
in the zoning district, including the site plan for lot 7; the trail along the creek
will be constructed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the
Lot 7 building, and unless indicated, that all other zoning regulations
associated with the existing S-P-2 zoning for the site will remain in effect.
(ZA16-026)
- October 5, 2022 - City Council approved a Zoning Change and
Concept/Site Plan for the Learning Experience modifying the S-P-2
regulations as presented for Lot 2 only to amend the current “S-P-2” zoning
for the development and to receive site plan approval for the construction of
a proposed 10,000 square foot single-story daycare center located on Lot 2,
100 River Oaks Drive. All previous conditions of approval for the overall
development shall remain in effect unless specifically approved otherwise.
Noting that City Council is not approving the color signage or lettering
represented on the east elevation of the building. (ZA21-0073)
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.
Case No. Attachment A
SV22-0012 Page 2
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 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\2022\SV22-0012 – The Learning Experience
Case No. Attachment B
SV22-0012 Page 1