BOA 12/01/2011 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Board of Adjustment December 1, 2011 Page 2 Fifth Item of Business: BA 1107: 4460 South US Highway 1792 ®Taco Bell.. Appeal of a determination of the Administrative Official related to signage. Mr. Eric Raasch, Planner I, reviewed the background information and the analysis of the request, provided in his memorandum to the Board of Adjustment, dated November 17, 2011 (a copy is on file in the Community Development Department). Mr. Raasch provided a PowerPoint presentation (a copy is attached and made a part of the minutes). Mr. Raasch stated that the Administrative Official has determined that the arches as presented are considered signage. Ms. Gauvin asked the applicant to come forward. Ms. Sara Scott, 4 Spring Glen Drive, DeBary, Florida came forward. Ms. Scott stated that the proposed arches for the Taco Bell do not identify, advertise or make anything known. She said they do not announce, direct or inform any information and there are no symbols, letters, pictures or anything that would otherwise identify them as signs or identify them with Taco Bell. She said the arches are not intended to communicate information and she did not agree that the arches should be considered signage. Ms. Scott said the proposed arches are intended to be building lights, more aesthetic and consistent with the overall building design. She said the arches are intended to be architectural embellishments that replace approximately 180 linear feet of inefficient T12 fluorescent illuminated canopies around the building and replaced with a more efficient LED lighting. Ms. Scott said the arches are designed to mimic the old mission roof lines and the arches provide the site and the customers with more efficient lighting and most importantly as a result they increase safety at night. Ms. Scott explained that sales are expected to decrease during a remodel but upon completion the sales are expected not only to return to normal but increase marginally. She said unfortunately this Taco Bell has not seen the post recovery in sales growth as expected compared to other remodeled sites. She said sales are down as much as 10% below projections with a large portion of those sales being lost during the evening hours. Ms. Scott said they feel this is due to the absence of the arches causing low visibility. Ms. Scott said decreased sales results in reduction in staff hours or layoffs. Ms. Scott requested the Planning the Zoning Commission considers their perspective regarding the flying arches at Taco Bell. She said the arches are considered building lights and architectural embellishments that are important to the development of the site. She said they feel the absence of the arches is costing the restaurant a considerable amount of sales; therefore she respectfully requested the Board's permission to install the flying arches at Taco Bell.