Item 4FCITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
Department of Planning & Development Services
STAFF REPORT
March 26, 2014
CASE NO: SV14-004
PROJECT: Sign Variance for Smallcakes Cupcakery
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY: Claudia Maysen is requesting variances to the Sign Ordinance No. 704-F
requirements to allow an illuminated "open" business sign that does not comply
with ordinance standards for Smallcakes Cupcakery store located at 2315 E.
Southlake Boulevard, Suite 106, Southlake, TX.
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting a variance to the Sign Ordinance No. 704-F
requirements to allow an illuminated "open" business window sign that is in the
shape of a cupcake and exceeds maximum sign face area allowed. The current
ordinance regulations state that an illuminated open sign shall only read "open."
The maximum sign face area allowed is 4 square feet. The proposed sign is
approximately 5 square feet.
The specific variances requested are as follows:
Sign Regulation
Permitted
Proposed
Illuminated open signs
Maximum sign face area
4 square feet
± 5 square feet
Illuminated open signs
Signs shall only read
"open"
An illuminated open
sign that includes an
additional regulations
outline of a cupcake
ACTION NEEDED: CONSIDER SIGN VARIANCE APPROVAL
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Background Information — LINK TO PRESENTATION
(B) Vicinity Map
(C) Proposed Sign
(D) Sign Variance Application
STAFF CONTACT:
Case No.
SV14-004
Lorrie Fletcher (748-8069)
Dennis Killough (748-8072)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPLICANT: Smallcakes Cupcakery
OWNER: Claudia Maysen
PROPERTY SITUATION: The property is located at 2315 E. Southlake Boulevard, Suite 106.
HISTORY: There is no sign variance history at this location. Previous tenants include
Alpha Graphics and Southern Air Mechanical.
STAFF COMMENTS: The sign criteria and application are attached to this report.
WCommunity DevelopmentVEMOISigns12014WI4-004 Smallcakes CupcakerylCC packetVtem 4F.docx
Case No. Attachment A
SV14-004 Page 1
Vicinity
Map
Smallcakes Cupcakery
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Sign Variance
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510
1,020
Feet
Case No. Attachment B
SV14-004 Page 1
Proposed Sign
Panoramic view of the "Open Cupcake" sign turned on.
Case No. Attachment C
SV14-004 Page 1
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Sign Variance Application
Demonstration
Please demonstrate that the following conditions are applicable to the requested slgn variance:
1. That a literal enforcement of the sign regulation will create an unnecessary hardship or practical
difficulty on the applicant.
Permanently turning off and removing the "Open Cupcake" sign, which was installed thinking that no
special permits were required since it is actually an "Open" sign that covers less than 3% of our window
area and that has been succesfully installed in the other 30+ Smallcakes cupcakeries in the country, would
not only be a waste of that investment but also cost money and leave us with a very limited "Open Sign"
view from the street.
2. That the situation causing the unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty is unique to the affected
property and is not self imposed.
Smallcakes is located on a hill, which obstructs visibility from the street. Trees and bushes in the area
also block the view to our store window, specially when they are in full blossom.
Since a shape ( cupcake) is easier to recognize from the distance than a word by itself ("open"), turning on
the "Open Cupcake" sing would make it less difficult for the people to know when our bakery is open.
I That the variance will not injure and will be wholly compatible with the use and permitted
development of adjacent properties.
Although the "Open Cupcake" sign is larger that the portable "Open" sign that we bought and plugged In
when the City requested us to turn off the original sign, it is not larger than other "Open" signs in the area.
The "Open Cupcake" sign was professionally installed and won't cause any injuries when turned on. Our
Landlord and neighbors like it and agree that it looks nice in the property. When it was turned on, we got
compliments by Southlake customers, regarding its cute and simple design.
4. That the variance will be in harmony with the spirit and purpose of the sign ordinance.
Since Smallcakes' location on a hill adds distance between the street and our window, the "Open
Cupcake" sign looks discrete and stays in harmony with the surroundings.
Since this sign's purpuse is to serve our customers by letting them know when the store is open, it would
only be turned on during our business hours.
We think that its simple design is not invassive and looks clean, nicely custom-made and elegant, within
the spirit and aestetichs of this beautiful City.
Please allow us to turn on our cute "Open Cupcake" sign and remove the portable "Open" sign that we
had to plug in to sustitute the former.
Thank yowl
Revised: October 2009
Case No. Attachment D
SV14-004 Page 1