Approve Box Sign Installation in COR-2 Zoning District on Property Located at 7962 Sunwood Dr NW

The owner of the Verizon Wireless store, located at 7962 Sunwood Drive NW, has submitted a Permanent Sign Permit application to re-install a box sign sign on the east elevation of their unit.  After the realignment of Sunwood Drive, traffic no longer travels directly past their unit but rather follows the road as it curves northward.  The business owner believes that due to this realignment, their visibility has been diminished somewhat and thus would like to re-install a nineteen (19) square foot box sign on the east elevation for westbound traffic on Sunwood Drive.

No notification is required for this request.

The box sign was originally approved as part of a sign permit package in 2007.  The sign was taken down in 2009 as a result of the company's re-branding.  However, with the diminished visibility now, they have updated the graphics and have applied for a Permanent Sign Permit to re-install the sign.  The property is zoned COR-2, which functions much the same as the general business districts in terms of sign regulations.  However, within the Design Framework, box signs are identified under the prohibited signs section.  Staff does not believe the intent was to prohibit this sign type from the COR-2 district.  Additionally, the Property Owner has documented on the application submittal that this sign shall only be permissible for one (1) year, beyond that, it will need to be removed/replaced with signage that matches the Property Owner's criteria (which does not permit box type signs).

Alternatives

Alternative #1. Direct Staff to approve the Permanent Sign Permit.  The signage proposed was previously approved via a Sign Permit in 2007.  In reviewing the sign regulations at that time, there was no mention of box signs being prohibited.  Furthermore, the prohibited signs section of the former Town Center Design Guidelines used to state 'except as allowed in Item B (TC-2 Sub-District)', which reinforces Staff's opinion that at least certain sign types listed as prohibited in the Design Framework were not intended to apply to the COR-2 District.

Alternative #2. Direct Staff to deny the Permanent Sign Permit.  If the business owner wanted to improve visibility due to the realignment of Sunwood Drive, it would require a significant investment in a new sign and delay the installation (would need to have new signage fabricated).  Again, City Staff believes that it was not the intent to prohibit box signs in the COR-2 sub-district and therefore does not support this option.

Staff recommends the City Council authorize approval of the Permanent Sign Permit.

This request is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.  The applicant will be responsible for the $100.00 Permanent Sign Permit fee.

Motion to authorize Staff to approve the Permanent Sign Permit application to allow a box sign at 7962 Sunwood Dr NW.