HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo from Planning
Project: Meridian Elementary School
RECEIVED
AUGl 4 7.007
City of Meridian
City Clerk Office
Location: Pine and NW First Street
Application: variance
Highlights of Proposed Development: The applicant is proposing a LED reader board that would
be a public service identification sign for Meridian Elementary School that would be nine (9)
feet wide and two (2) feet two (2) inches in height, a total of nineteen (19) square feet, to be
located above the main entrance: UDC 11- 3D-7 a allows public infonnation signs to be no greater
than four (4) square feet in area and no more than four (4) feet in height. The applicant agrees
with Staffs recommendation to not change the message on the reader board more than once a
day so that it will not be an animated sign.
Staff Recommendation: approval; we believe it meets the required findings.
A. The variance shall not grant a right or special privilege that is not otherwise allowed in
the district:
Staff finds that granting a variance in the location of the proposed public service
infonnation sign, would not grant a right or special privilege to the Applicant. Public
infonnation signs are allowed without a pennit. The proposed sign does not exceed the
height limit allowed for public infonnation signs and is small in comparison to the
standards for wall signs allowed in the 0- T zone. (In comparison, a wall sign in the 0- T
zone may be up to 18% of the wall elevation with a maximum square footage of seventy-
five (75) feet.) If the message on the reader board is not changed more than once a day,
Staff believes that it can be constituted as a public service infonnation sign and not an
animated sign (UDC II-lA-I).
B. The variance relieves an undue hardship because of characteristics of the site;
This property is located on NW First Street. The street is off W. Pine Avenue and dead-
ends into the school. The school is less visible to pedestrians and motorists than typical
elementary schools, and the school building is buffered by the playground area and
ancillary school office buildings. This sign is solely oriented to parents dropping off
children and children arriving in buses. There are no residential homes in close proximity
to the front entrance that would be affected by the LED reader board. Staff finds that this
does constitute a hardship because of characteristics of the site.
C. The variance shall not be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare.
Staff finds that granting the subject variance would not be detrimental to the public
health, safety, or welfare.
Elevations: Yes
Outstanding Issue(s) for City Council: none known
Notes: