BOA 08/25/2011 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Board of Adjustment August 25, 2011 Page 2 Williamson said the purpose and intent of the arches is to mimic an old mission style building. He said the illuminated arches would eliminate some lighting shown on the original plan. Mr. Williamson requested the arches be approved as a building structure and not a sign. Ms. Murphy said Taco Bell looks at the arches as a building element and most municipalities consider them as building structures during the permitting process, She said the arches are also a lighting element, Ms. Murphy said approximately 120 feet of fluorescent lighting that illuminated a purple and pink canopy was removed. She said the canopy was a great design in its time but it was dated and it was time to update the structure. She said the arches help replace some of the canopy lighting element. Ms. Williamson said the restaurant has not recovered since the completion of the remodeling. She said the corporate office expects a decrease in sales during the remodeling process but it would regain additional sales once the renovations are completed. She said this restaurant has not regained sales since the renovations and the corporate office feels it is directly related to the loss of lighting. Ms. Murphy said based on the loss of lighting and loss of sales, the elimination of the arches is a hardship to the business. She said that it is a big loss in the overall recognition in the Taco Bell design across the country. A brief discussion ensued regarding the applicant discussing the lighting element with the City. Ms. Scott said the building lighting issue was addressed during the initial communication with the City. She said once itwas determined that the arches were signs, the appeal letter was based on conveying that the arches were not signs. Mr. Guzman was concerned that the lighting issues were not included in the appeal. Ms. Scott said the issue of the lighting was lost once it was argued that the arches were considered signs. Ms. Scott said the lighting element was not addressed in this latest appeal, Mr. Eric Raasch, Planner, reviewed the background information and the analysis of the request, provided in his memorandum to the Board of Adjustment, dated August 25, 2011 (a copy is on file in the Community Development Department). Mr, Raasch provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Board (a copy is attached and made a part of the minutes). Mr. Raasch said the Administrative Official determined the following: 1. The arches are a symbol and sculpted matter designed to identify Taco Bell 2. The arches are visible from the public right-of-way 3. The arches frame the extreme limits of the existing sign 4. The arches form an integral background of the display