Narrative for Sign VarianceMeridian Town Center
Narrative for sign variance
Idaho Electric Signs is requesting a variance to the sign ordinance. The
ordinance states that a freestanding sign can't exceed two hundred (200)
square feet in area for properties that exceed seven hundred fifty (750).
We are proposing five (5) freestanding (center signs) that are three
hundred fifty five (355) square feet in sign background area.
A. PURPOSE OF REQUEST
The purpose for this request for a variance to the city sign ordinance is for
the overall health and success of the Meridian Town Center project and the
safety of the motoring public. To enhance the beauty and essence of a life
style center, the size of the center signs needed to be large enough to
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create the proper atmosphere and safety for the motoring public.
6. REQUEST
Meridian Town Center was designed as a life style center that blends retail
business with entertainment, parks and residential in one unique space.
Idaho Electric Signs requests the following for the signage needs at this
center.
Center signs
There will be five (S) center signs 35' in height and 355 square feet in area.
Three (3) to be located on Eagle Road and two (2) on Fairview Ave. These
signs to be placed in the following areas: two (2) signs placed on lot 2,
block 2.One (1) sign placed on lot 2, block 1.One (1) sign on lot 4, block 1.
One (1) sign on lot 5, block 2. This would be a total of five (S) center signs.
~'``~ Small freestanding signs
There will be eleven (11) small freestanding signs 20' in height and 80
square feet in area. The signs will be placed in the following areas:
One (1) sign to be located on lot 1, block 1.One (1) sign to be located on lot
5, block 1.One (1) sign to be located on lot 1, block 2. One (1) sign to be
located on lot 3, block 2.One (1) sign to be located on lot 4, block 2.One (1)
sign to be located on lot 5, block 2. One (1) sign to be located on lot 6, block
2.One (1) sign to be located lot 7, block 2.One (1) sign to be located on lot
8, block 2.One (1) sign to be located on lot 9, block 2. One (1) sign to be
located on lot 10, block 2. This would be a total of eleven small
freestanding signs.
Lot 3, block 1 will be for future multi-family residential lot that there will be
two (2) future subdivision signs that is not part of this variance.
C. SUMMERY
We are asking for a total of five (5) center signs that are 35' in height and
355 square feet in area. The allowable sign would be 35' in height and 200
square feet in area.
We are also asking for eleven (11) small freestanding sings that are 20' in
height and 80 square feet in area. These meet the standards of the city sign
code. Under current city code we would be allowed twenty eight (28} of
these signs. We would like to trade some of the square footage from the
remaining small freestanding signs to the square footage for the larger
center signs.
By doing this we eliminate a lot of the small freestanding signs. The extra
square footage on the center signs would help the motoring public see the
business on the interior of the center and be able to make safe driving
decisions about where they want to go.
Also, by removing more than half of the small freestanding signs it
eliminates over signing. Too many of these signs can cause safety issues
~'"'~ with the motoring public by having to look through all the information that
it causes slow reaction time and slows the flow of the traffic.
By shifting some of the square footage to center signs and making them
more readable and eliminating some of the smaller freestanding signs it
creates a better atmosphere and environment for this great Meridian
development.
We are not asking for an advantage on competition or any special
treatment, just the ability to use the amount of square footage of signs
that is allowed to us under the current city sign code.
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