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Home My WebLink About2005 08 22 Regular Item 501- CDD Request sign for Macdonald's Eye Care CITY COMMISSION ITEM 501 Consent Information Public Hearin Re ular x August 22, 2005 Meeting /I ,- MGR. !~ IDEPT Authorization REQUEST: The Community Development Department - Planning Division requests the Commission consider a fin sign for MacDonald's Eye Care located in the Town Center (in the medical building immediately to the west of City Hall). PURPOSE: The purpose of this Agenda Item is for the City Commission to consider a fill sign for the building at 1122 E. State Road 434. At the time that the original building elevations were approved, fin signage was not included on the elevation and was not included in the code. APPLICABLE LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY: Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Element Policy 5.2.9: Sign age. Commercial shopfront signage shall include a variety of creative signage types (including projecting signage and fill signs) and may include the use of exposed neon for building fayade signage as set forth in the Town Center District Code... City of Winter Springs Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-327. Architectural guidelines. (t) S;gnage (Amended by Ordinance 2005-24 on July 1, 2005). (3) Configurations. (Especially pertinent excerpts from the Code follow) Maximum gross area of signs on a given facade shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the applicant's facade area. All projecting signs shall be installed in such a manner that there shall be no visible angle iron support structure above a roof, building face or wall. Brackets that are incorporated into the signage as decorative elements ofthe signage are exempt. All signs shall be designed to be compatible with the storefront in scale, proportion, and color and should be visually interesting. FIN signs are vertically oriented projecting signs, that are uniquely situated and customized for high visibility. Fin signs shall not exceed twenty-eight (28) feet in height above the ground and shall be placed at least 12 feet above the public sidewalk. Fin signs shall be between fifteen (15) square feet and twenty-five (25) square feet in area, but shall not extend more than five (5) feet from the building wall. r;~ (,;)J -~.-/ August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 501 CHRONOLOGY: January 24.2005- The City Commission adopted comprehensive plan text amendment which encourages creative signage. June 13. 2005- The City Commission directed Staff to proceed with an update to the Town Center Signage Code. The City Commission approved Ordinance 2005-24 amending the Town Center Signage Code, allowing fin signs. July 11. 2005- CONSIDERATIONS: What is a FIN SIGN? The Codes states that a fin sign is a type of projecting sign that is oriented vertically and is intended to be highly visible. Fin signs are intended to be uniquely situated and customized for the purpose of visibility. Whereas other businesses along SR 434 have the option of monument signs to increase their visibility, businesses in the Town Center must use other means to attract attention. One of these means that is allowed by Code is the use of a fin sign. Fin signs are considered a type of creative signage. The use of creative signage in the Town Center is mandated by the Comprehensive Plan in Future Land Use Element, Policy 5.2.9 and Dover, Kohl & Partners has stated that "creative, high quality signage with a great deal of variety is a hallmark of authentic town centers." Applicants should not be dissuaded from pursuing creative signage. Fin signs are more expensive to construct than fayade signs, due to the structural components required to support the signage and consequently, each one is customized. For this reason they are they are not commonly used and have to be somewhat unique. Structural supports in the proposed fin sign are incorporated into the interior of the box sign portion of the sign, so that they are not visible as required by code. Although the approval of this fin sign will set a precedence, the precedence it sets, is the precedence for the use of creative signage. Where are Fin Signs LOCATED? The Town Center Code (Sec. 20-327) regulates the location of fin signs by stipulating a minimum and maximum height. Fin Signs are typically placed at a higher orientation than other signage on the building. Whereas projecting signs are required to have a clearance of at least 8 feet above the sidewalk, fin signs require a clearance of at least 12 feet. The proposed fin sign is within the location requirements for fm signs as allowed by code. Page 2 of9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 501 Usually fin signs are located at building comers. The following illustrations show various fin signs and their placement: ~. ! "~I "'."""-...... Page 3 of9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 50 1 Is the proposed fin sign too BIG? The City Commission stated at the July 11, 2005 meeting that the sign feels "big." Although the fin sign was stated to feel "big", it is small comparable to other recently approved fayade signage. The following list of recently approved fayade signs puts the SIZE ofthe proposed signage into perspective: Business Name: MacDonald's Eye Care Cristiano's Wine Bar Cafe Art Avenue GianCarlos Countrywide Home Loans Tijuana Flats Bruster's Transformations II Miller School Supply Location: Town Center Town Center Town Center Town Center Town Center Town Center SR 434 Town Center SR 434 Size: 16.24 SF 22.90 SF 25.00 SF 32.50 SF 35.34 SF 38.00 SF 51.75 SF 54.00 SF 62.33 SF The Town Center Code (Sec. 20-327) regulates the SIZE offin signs by stipulating a minimum and maximum area for fm signs. MacDonald's Eye Care is proposing a double-sided fin sign equaling approximately 16.24 square feet in size (36"x65"). The proposed fin sign is within the size requirements for fin signs as allowed by code which states that fin signs are to be between 15.00 square feet and 25.00 square feet in area. Dover, Kohl & Partners has stated that the "size for fin signs (as included in the Code revisions) appears to be well within a normal and acceptable range." The Town Center Code (Sec. 20-327 (f)) states that the "maximum gross area of signs on a given fayade shall not exceed 10% ofthe applicant's fa~ade." The graphic below illustrates the size of the proposed sign in relation to the tenant space. (Although the building has the appearance of two stories, it is only one story.) The tenant space (not including the entryway which is shared, is 560 SF. The applicant is proposing a sign that is only 3 % 0 f this tenant area, rather than the 10% allowed. Page 4 of9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 501 I k .- '~ . . . J I , I > . . 1122 E. State Road 434 ! '1 \ '.:Mtt'fJ' Page 5 0[9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 501 Use of Neon: The initial submittal included exposed neon outlining the glasses. Although exposed neon is allowed in the Town Center, based on the Commission's negative response, the applicant has removed all exposed neon from the sign. Is the sign compatible with the building? Signage should be coordinated in size and placement with the building and storefront. The code states that "all signs shall be designed to be compatible with the storefront in scale, proportion, and color and should be visually interesting". Structural supports for the sign will be hidden from view and incorporated into the interior of the "Eye Care" box. The "Eye Care" box will match the color ofthe brick and will have white lettering that is internally illuminated. The "Eyeglasses" portion ofthe sign will be painted black for contrast. The tilting of the glasses on the sign has been changed. The glasses now tilt toward the building at the bottom. This replicates the tilt of the gooseneck fixtures and leads people inward toward the building instead of way from it. ( \ ~ Page 60f9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 50 1 FINDINGS: · The proposed sign is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. · The proposed sign is in compliance with the Town Center signage requirements for fm signs (including restrictions on size and location). · The proposed sign is also in compliance with the general Town Center signage requirements which require signage to be less than 10% offayade area. · Dover-Kohl has commented favorably related to the proposed signage. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Commission approve the proposed fin sign for Mac Donald's Eye Care located at 1122 E. State Road 434, Suite 1000. A TT ACHMENTS: A- Excerpt from July 11, 2005 City Commission Minutes COMMISSION ACTION: Page 7 of9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 501 ATTACHMENT A On" OF WI1\"TER SPRTI\GS. FLORlDA MI1\L"TES CITY CO\l\IISSIO:\ REGCLAR :\fEET:IT\G TIT Y 11 2005 RI:CrL.-\R 502. Communit~' Deyelopment Depm'tment - Planning Diyhion Reque~ts The [City] Commission Comidel' A Fin Sign Fol' ~Ia('Donald's EY(l C~U'(l LocM(ld In The Town ('E'ntH (In ThE' l\IE'dic~lI Building Imm(>diatE'ly To Tb(l \VE'~t Of City Hall). t\Ir. Steyell:ioOll pre"ented thi.. Agenda Item, DisCUS5ioll ensued regarding the proposal for a l1lby red neon sign. Deputy ~'!ayor Blake stated,"I a1llnot in favor of the neOll. ,. COllulllssioner Kreb., added, "'! am not in fayor of the neon either, and I don't think I like that sign there where it IS. And I do think it does set precedence. How do you say '1'\0' to some and 'Yes' to others? I know it is a case-by-case ba'..ls," Di.,cmsioll, Als, Robin J.[acDo;;ald, 1122 East Stat(' Road. rVinter Spl'i;;gs. Florida: cOllunellted that they are open to ideas, "~IOTIO:\' THAT 'VE DE:'\1' THE REQrEST." ~IOTIO:\' BY COl\L\IISSIOXER ~IILLER. SECOXDED BY CO~L\IISSIO::\LR ~IcGIX:\'IS, DISCTSSIOX Tape 3 S::le)" DEPrTY l\IA YOR BLAKE STATED, "I DO H..\YE SO~IE l\10RE QrESTIOXS ABOrT IT THOrGH. THE SIZE IS OXE THI~G, IT FEELS BIG, :\IA YBE IT IS:\,'T. BrT IT SEE~IS AS THOrGH - THE HEIGHT IS AXOTHER IssrE. I THIXK prTTIXG IT "'A Y rp THERE. yor ARE ALl\IOST XO'V STARTI:\'G TO GET TO'YARDS BILLBOARD STATrs. .-\..'-D SO I QrESTIOX THAT A BIT. I THI:'\K - I \,"orLD LIKI: TO HEAR ~IOR.E ABorT IT OR SEE PERHAPS A BETTER l\IOCK-rp OF 'YHERE THE SIG:\" 'YOrLD BE O~ THE BrILDIXG. POSSIBLY EYE:\' H.A YE THE:\I prT rp A l\IOCK-rp OX THE BrILDI:\'G, '''HERE THEY 'YOrLD LIKE IT TO BE. TAKE SO:\IE PHOTOS OR ALLO'" rs - XOTIFY rs so "'E CAX GO BY AXD ACTrALLY SEE IT OX THE BrILDIXG." Page 8 of9 August 22, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda Item 50 I CO:\I:\IISSIO:\"I.R GIL:\IORE SrGGESTED, "'YHAT IS BOTHrRI~G :\II. HI.RE IS THAT THE prRPOSI. OF THIS 'FI~' SIG~ IS TO ATTR.\CT ATTE:\"TIO:\" O:\" [STATE ROAD] 434. ""HE::\'" THE CITY :\IA~AGER A:\"D EYERYBODY ELSE TI.LLS rs - 'YELL REALLY 'YI. 'YA~T PEOPLE 'YALKI:\"G. THAT IS OrR REAL I~TEREST I:\" HERE. \''1: ARE OrT TO GET PEOPLE \YALKI:\"G X\-n PEOPLE \YALKI:\"G ARE :\"OT GOI:\"G SEI. THI. 'FI~' SIG:\" BEC..\TSE OF A \Y:\"I:\"GS A:\"D OTHER THI:\"GS '" THAT THE . Fl:\" , SIG:\" I:\" :\IY OPI:\"IO:\" SHOrLD BE :\IORE ADDRESSED TO THI. PEOPLI. THAT ARE 'YALKI:\"G O:\" THE STREET A:\"D :\"OT TO THI. PEOPLI. O:\" [STATE ROAD] 434 DRIYI~G BY." CO:\I:\IISSIO:\"ER :\IILLER :\L.\DE A CO:\I:\IE:\"T FOR THE RECORD REFERE:\"CI~G DI.prTY :\L.\YOR BLAKE'S BILLBOARD CO:\I:\IE~T. THE::\-, cO:.\I:\nSSIO:\"ER GIL:\IORE ADDED, "I JrST HA' 'I: CO~CER~S ABOrT THE:.\I. I HAlT ~O PROBLE:.\I 'YITH S:.\L.\LL 'FI:\" , SIG~S THAT ARE IDE:\"TIFYI:\"G THI. BrILDI:\"G FOR THE PEOPLE 'YALKI:\"G AS 'YE SEI. THI.SE RIGHT HERE, BrT 'YHE:\" "'I: START GOI~G orT A2\"D BrILDI:\"G THE:\1 TO BE SI.E:\" orT 0::\'" THI. HIGH'''A Y, 1 HA "E A FEAR THA T THAT IS GETTI:\"G orT OF ""IIA T THE 'YHOLE prRPOSE '''AS I~ THE TO',":\" CE:\"TER." "I ,,"orLD LIKE TO :\IAKE A REPLACE:.\lE~T :.\IOTIO:\" TO HA YE THE APPLICA.,T ,YORK 'YITH STAFF TO TAKE orR CO:\I:\II.~TS I~TO CO:\"SIDERATIO~ ...\.:.'\D BRI:\"G BACK A REYISED PLA:\"." :.\IOTIO::\- BY DI.prTY :\lAYOR BLAKE. :\IAYOR BrSH STATI.D. "SECO::\-nI.D BY CO:\I:\IISSIO:\"I.R :.\1(GI:\":\"IS:' DISCTSSIOX CO:\I:\IISSIO:\"I.R :\IILLI.R THE:'\ RI.:\L\RKED. "ALL THESE SIG::\'"S rp HI.RE THAT 'YE ARE SEEI:'\G - THEY 'YOrLD DO JrST FI:\"E 0:'\ THE FIRST FLOOR OF THIS BrILDI~G: BrT TO GO rp 0:'\ THI. SECO:\"D LE' 'EL. I THI:\"K IT ::\"EEDS TO BE :\lADE CLEAR TO THE APPLICA:\"T THAI :\"0 :\IATTER ',"HAT IT LOOKS LIKE. IF \'"1: ARE GOI:\"G TO prT II rp O~ THI. SECO:\"D LEYEL AS A 'FI:\"' SIG~. I DO:\"'T THI:\"K THAT IS A GOOD IDEA." DI.prTY :\IAYOR BLAKE CLARIFIED HIS :\IOTIO:'\ 'YAS "SE:\"DI:\"G II BACK TO THE APPLICA:\"I A:\"D STAFF TO TAKE orR c:o:.\nIE~IS I:\"TO CO:'\SIDER-\TIO:\" A:\"D TO BRI:\"G THAT :\"E'," PROPOSAL BACK TO rs." YOrE: cO:\I:\I:\rrSSIO:\"I.R GIL:\IORE: AYE CO:\I:\IISSIO:\"ER :\IILLER: A\'I: CO:\I:\IISSIO:\"I.R :\l(GI:\":\"IS: AYE CO:\I:\IISSIO:'\I.R KREBS: AYE DI.prTY :.\IA YOR BLAKE: AYE :\10TIO:\" CARRIED. Page 90f9