CITY OF
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
TO: Mayor and City
Commission
FROM: Richard D. Sala, City
Manager
BY: Tammy L.
Reed-Holguin, Community Development Director
DATE: April 24, 2007
SUBJECT: SWAV
07-01 Sign Waiver Request - La Granja Restaurant
To allow 24
inches in height letters on two wall identification signs, where maximum 16 inches in height letters are
allowed by section 94-16 (c) (2) c within Community Business (B-2) Zoning
District.
Applicant: Value Graphics Corporation
Background
Value Graphics Corporation, on
behalf of La Granja Restaurant located at 5480 N. State Road 7 submitted a
request to allow 24 inches high letters on two wall identification signs, where
a maximum 16 inches high letters are allowed by section 94-16 (c) (2) c within
a Community Business (B-2) Zoning District.
The applicant indicated that approval of this request would provide
favorable exposure to their business along
La Granja Restaurant is proposing
to renovate and open a restaurant in the “Old Red Lobster” building. When Red Lobster was built and in operation,
the property was located in unincorporated
As an alternative, the applicant
is requesting consideration of two wall identification signs with 24” capital
letters in the first line of the signage.
Section 94-43 of the sign code makes a provision where the City
recognizes that the commercial areas located adjacent to State Road 7 are
established business areas serving a regional population base and that certain
requirements of the sign code may not be applicable. The City Commission, upon recommendation of
the Planning & Zoning Board, may waive the requirements of the sign code. Additionally, business centers are permitted
a second sign according to Section 94-18 (d) if the property fronts on two main
thoroughfares. This free-standing
restaurant located on individually-owned property will front on
It is always staff’s objective to review any application in the best interest of business viability and success. Staff also has the responsibility to review the aesthetic impact of any signage along our roadways.
Taking into consideration that the front elevation of the building is approximately 55 feet away from State Road 7 and also faces Prospect Road, staff feels the sign waiver to allow up to 24 inches in high capital letters on a wall identification signs where a maximum 16 inches in high letters are allowed by code will not create a nuisance to public welfare or injurious to other properties or undermine improvements in vicinity, and it will benefit the business and its customers. The total square feet of the signs would still comply with the City sign code, which allows one square foot of sign face equivalent to the width of the area owned or leased and permits a second sign that complies with this section of the Code.
On April 3, 2007 the Planning and Zoning Board met and unanimously recommended City Commission’s consideration and approval of the proposed sign waiver with the conditions that the recommendation is subject to the condition that all applicable codes of the City regarding the installation of sign shall be adhered to and the terms, conditions and provisions imposed by the City Commission, Planning and Zoning Board, and staff shall be met and that no freestanding signs are being proposed.
Staff advised the applicant that approval of the sign waiver does not constitute authorization to open the business and that both the building and the site must be brought into compliance with all City Codes including zoning and occupational licensing and with the current Florida Building Code prior to opening. As of the date of preparation of this memorandum, the applicant’s contractors have applied for permits to address the building and the property and the owner has agreed that the landscaping in the parking lot will be addressed during the second phase of the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
If the City Commission concurs with staff’s and Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendations that the proposed wall signs with larger letters would benefit the customers and the business, then the following motion is in order:
“Motion to adopt the attached resolution approving the sign waiver request for La Granja to install and maintain two wall identification signs with 24” high capital letters where maximum of 16 inches high letters are allowed per Section 94-16 ( c ) ( 2 ) c of the City’s Code of Ordinance within a Community Business (B-2) Zoning District”.
RESOLUTION NO. __________________
A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, APPROVING A SIGN
WAIVER REQUEST FOR LA GRANJA RESTAURANT, LOCATED AT 5480 N. STATE ROAD 7, NORTH
LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, THEREBY PERMITTING THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TWO
WALL SIGNS WITH 24” HIGH CAPITAL LETTERS WHERE MAXIMUM 16 INCHES HIGH LETTERS
ARE ALLOWED BY SECTION 94-16 (C) (2) (c) OF THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCE WITHIN A COMMUNITY
BUSINESS (B-2) ZONING DISTRICT, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Whereas, Section 94-43, of
the City's Sign Code, allows the City Commission the option to waive the
requirements of the Sign Code relating to commercial areas adjacent to Rock
Island Road, Southgate Boulevard, State Road 7, McNab
Road and S.W. 81st Avenue; and
WHEREAS, La Granja
Restaurant located at 5480 N. State Road 7, North Lauderdale, Florida, feels
that the provisions of the sign code for identification sign(s) is inadequate
for their needs; and
WHEREAS, La Granja Restaurant is requesting a sign
waiver to allow the installation and maintenance of two wall signs with 24” high capital letters
where a maximum of 16 inches high letters are allowed by section 94-16 (c) 2
(c) within a community business (B-2)
zoning district; and
WHEREAS, La Granja
Restaurant agrees that there will be no freestanding signs on this property;
and
WHEREAS,
the City Commission authorizes the approval of said request.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
Section 1: That
the waiver of the sign code be and the same is hereby granted to La Granja
Restaurant to allow the installation and maintenance of two wall signs with 24”
high capital letters where a maximum of 16
inches high letters are allowed by section 94-16 (c) 2 (c) within a community
business (B-2) zoning district.
Section 2: That the waiver granted by this Resolution shall not excuse the applicant from compliance with each and every term, condition and provision of the City's Sign Code, the Code of Ordinances of the City of North Lauderdale, Florida, as well as the obtainment of the necessary permits.
Section 3: That
this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED and ADOPTED by
the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale, Florida, this ________th day of April 2007.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
CITY ATTORNEY SAMUEL
GOREN
___________________________
MAYOR
JACK BRADY
___________________________
VICE
MAYOR RICH MOYLE
ATTEST:
__________________________
CITY CLERK C. MILLI DYER
