Item 9CCity of Southlake
Department of Planning
S T A F F R E P O R T
January 10, 2007
SP 07-002
CASE NO:
Variance to the Shops of Southlake Conditional Sign Permit for Starpower
PROJECT:
Home Entertainment Systems
REQUEST: This is a variance request from the Shops of Southlake Conditional Sign Permit
requirements for logo height for Starpower Home Entertainment Systems. Starpower
is located at 1431 East Southlake Boulevard, Suite 511. The applicant is proposing a
total of four signs with a maximum logo height of 50 inches on the north, west, and east
elevations and 26.5 inches on the northwest elevation. The proposed letter height on all
four signs is 18 inches or less. Under the existing Conditional Sign Permit, tenants less
than 300 feet from the right-of-way and under 15,000 square feet in size are permitted a
maximum letter height and logo height of 18 inches. The Conditional Sign Permit
allows one sign on each façade visible from a street or internal driveway.
Sign Regulation Current Regulation Proposed Regulation
Maximum Letter/ 18 inches 50 inch logo (north, west, and east
Logo Height façade)
26.5 inch logo (northwest façade)
ACTION NEEDED: Consider variance request.
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information
(B) Vicinity Map
(C) Site Plan
(D) Sign Details
(E) Sign Variance Application
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Baker (748-8067) or Dennis Killough (748-8072)
Case No.
SP 07-002
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Starpower Home Entertainment
OWNER: Carroll/1709 Ltd.
PROPERTY SITUATION: The subject lease space is located at is located at 1431 East Southlake
Boulevard, Suite 511 in the Shops of Southlake retail center.
STAFF COMMENTS: The sign criteria, site plan and application are attached to this report.
N:\Community Development\MEMO\SIGNS\2007\SP07-002 Starpower.doc
Case No. Attachment A
SP 07-002Page 1
Case No. Attachment B
SP 07-002Page 1
Site Plan
Sign B
Sign A
Sign D
Sign C
Starpower
Case No. Attachment C
SP 07-002Page 1
Proposed Signs
Case No. Attachment D
SP 07-002Page 1
Sign A –
Northwest Elevation
Case No. Attachment D
SP 07-002Page 2
Signs B, C, and D -
North, West, and East
Elevations
Case No. Attachment D
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Sign B - North Elevation
Sign A - Northwest Elevation
Case No. Attachment D
SP 07-002Page 4
Sign D - West Elevation
Sign D - West Elevation (Close-Up)
Case No. Attachment D
SP 07-002Page 5
Signs with 18 Inch Letters
(for comparison)
Case No. Attachment D
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Case No. Attachment D
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Sign Variance Application
Demonstration
Please demonstrate that the following conditions are applicable to the requested sign variance:
1.That a literal enforcement of the sign regulation will create an unnecessary hardship or practical
difficulty on the applicant.
The literal enforcement of the sign regulation will unnecessarily result in a hardship for Starpower.
In addition to the hardship related to maintaining the Starpower trademark, the resulting signage
will be unsightly and result in the letters to be unreadable and/or confusing to the people of
Southlake.
2.That the situation causing the unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty is unique to the affected
property and is not self imposed.
The architecture of this particular building and its size proves to be awkward and unsightly with the
existing sign regulations. When considering the extent of Starpower’s store front size, the slender,
nine letters of the Starpower logo prove to be inconsistent with both the architecture of the building
as well as the high end use of Starpower (see elevations for 18” letters only in the included
elevation).
3.That the variance will not injure and will be wholly compatible with the use and permitted
development of adjacent properties.
The signage is scaled to improve the overall aesthetics of the property. The quality and design of
the logo is designed to communicate a luxury brand. Included are the elevations showing the
quality logo and the proposed signage. The signage will not injure or lessen the importance of any
other adjacent signage or property.
4. That the variance will be in harmony with the spirit and purpose of the sign ordinance.
The proposed variance is a quality that is consistent with the intent of the City of Southlake
pursuant to the conditional sign permit.
Case No. Attachment E
SP 07-002Page 1