ITEM04 C16-2024-0002 ADV PACKET NOV14 — original pdf
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BOA SIGN REVIEW COVERSHEET CASE: C16-2024-0002 BOA DATE: Thursday, November 14th, 2024 ADDRESS: 12221 N Mopac Expy SVRD NB COUNCIL DISTRICT: 10 OWNER: Mark Worsham AGENT: Michael J. Whellan ZONING: PUD LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 36.3670 A LOT 1 BLK B CENTRUM SUBD THE RESUB OF BLK B & E VARIANCE REQUEST: Land Development Code, Section 25-10-124 (Scenic Roadway Sign District): (B) to allow more freestanding signs from one (1) (maximum allowed) to eight (8) (requesting) (B) (1) (b) to increase the maximum sign area on a lot from 64 square feet (maximum allowed) to 90 square feet (requesting) (B) (2) to increase sign height from 12 feet (maximum allowed) to 17 feet (requesting) SUMMARY: remodel Free-standing sign for Emergency Services/Hospital Services ISSUES: topography Site North GR; LR PUD South GO-CO East GR; GO-CO; SF-2 West PUD ZONING LAND USES Hospital Services Community Commercial; Neighborhood Commercial General Office Community Commercial; General Office; Single-Family Hospital Services NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District Austin Neighborhoods Council Friends of Austin Neighborhoods Homeless Neighborhood Association Save Our Springs Alliance ITEM04/1 Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Application WARNING: Filing of this appeal stops all affected construction activity. This application is a fillable PDF that can be completed electronically. To ensure your information is saved, click here to Save the form to your computer, then open your copy and continue. The Tab key may be used to navigate to each field; Shift + Tab moves to the previous field. The Enter key activates links, emails, and buttons. Use the Up & Down Arrow keys to scroll through drop-down lists and check boxes, and hit Enter to make a selection. The application must be complete and accurate prior to submittal. All information is required (if applicable). For Office Use Only Case # __________________ ROW # ___________________ Tax # ____________________ 13413021 C15-2024-0002 0260130901 Section 1: Applicant Statement Street Address: __________________________________________________________________ Subdivision Legal Description: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Lot(s): _________________________________ Block(s): _____________________________ Outlot: _________________________________ Division: _____________________________ Zoning District: ___________________________________________________________________ Council District: 7 Sign District: _____________________________________________________________________ I/We ________________________________________________ on behalf of myself/ourselves as authorized agent for ________________________________________________ affirm that on Month , Day , Year , hereby apply for a hearing before the Board of Adjustment for consideration to (select appropriate option below): Erect Attach Complete Remodel Maintain Other: ____________ Type of Sign: __________________________________________________________________ Portion of the City of Austin Land Development Code applicant is seeking a variance from: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ City of Austin | Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Application 7/3/23 | Page 2 of 4 ITEM04/2 Section 2: Variance Findings The Board must determine the existence of, sufficiency of, and weight of evidence supporting the findings described below. In order to grant your request for a variance, the Board must first make one or more of the findings described under 1, 2, and 3 below; the Board must then make the finding described in item 4 below. If the Board cannot make the required findings, it cannot approve a sign variance. Therefore, you must complete each of the applicable Findings Statements as part of your application. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected as incomplete. Please attach any additional supporting documents. I contend that my entitlement to the requested variance is based on the following findings: 1. The variance is necessary because strict enforcement of the Article prohibits any reasonable opportunity to provide adequate signs on the site, considering the unique features of the site such as dimensions, landscaping, or topography, because: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ —OR— 2. The granting of this variance will not have a substantially adverse impact upon neighboring properties, because: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ —OR— 3. The granting of this variance will not substantially conflict with the stated purposes of this sign ordinance, because: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ AND, 4. Granting a variance would not provide the applicant with a special privilege not enjoyed by others similarly situated or potentially similarly situated, because: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ City of Austin | Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Application 7/3/23 | Page 3 of 4 The topography of the site is such that the emegency wayfinding signage along the Mopac frontage road is lower than the trees growing behind them, elevating the trees further above the signs than they otherwise would be and leading to the signage blending in with the trees. Cars approach at very high rates of speed, exacerbating the impact of visual obstruction and lack of visibility. See attached letter for more details. The sign is on a highway frontage road any does not block any nearby signage. It is not visible from any residential properties near the site. Several other properties along N Mopac already have signs that are both internally illuminated and exceed the maximum height limit under the code. Section 25-10-1(A)(4) seeks to "protect the safety and efficiency of the City's transportation system by reducing confusion and distractions to pedestrians and motorists." Improving the visibility of the hospital's emergency room wayfinding signs reduces confusion and helps motorists navigate to the appropriate hospital wing more quickly and efficiently.Other sites do not face the same combination of topographical + tree coverage limiting sign visibiltiy. Additionally, the signs' purposes are unique in that they specifically aim to improve emergency wayfinding and reduce confusion for drivers seeking time sensitive medical attention. These drivers are typically travelling at high rates of speed under stressful conditions are are more likely to miss signage. Improved visibility of the hospital signs benefits the community & helps achieve better medical outcomes with the improved navigational efficiency.ITEM04/3 Section 3: Applicant Certificate I affirm that my statements contained in the complete application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Applicant Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: _____________ Applicant Name (typed or printed): ___________________________________________________ Applicant Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________ State: ________________ Zip: _______ Phone (will be public information): _______________________________________ Email (optional – will be public information): ____________________ Section 4: Owner Certificate I affirm that my statements contained in the complete application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Owner Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: _____________ Owner Name (typed or printed): ______________________________________________________ Owner Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________ State: ________________ Zip: _______ Phone (will be public information): ____________________________________________________ Email (optional – will be public information): _______ Section 5: Agent Information Agent Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Agent Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________ State: ________________ Zip: _______ Phone (will be public information): ________________________________________ Email (optional – will be public information): ___________________ City of Austin | Board of Adjustment Sign Variance Application 6/26/20 | Page 4 of 4 10/01/2024Michael J. Whellan100 Congress Avenue, Suite 1300AustinTX7870110/01/2024Mark Worsham98 San Jacinto Blvd. Suite 1800AustinTX78701Michael J. Whellan100 Congress Ave., Suite 1300AustinTX78701ITEM04/4 ITEM04/5 ARMBRUST & BROWN, PLLC A T T O R N E Y S A N D C O U N S E L O R S 100 CONGRESS AVENUE, SUITE 1300 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701-2744 FACSIMILE October 21, 2024 MICHAEL J. WHELLAN Via email City of Austin Board of Adjustment 301 W. 2nd St. Austin, TX 78701 Dear Members: Re: Variance request for 12221 N. Mopac Expy, also known as TCAD Parcel No. 0260130901 (the “Property”) On behalf of St. David’s HealthCare Partnership, L.P., L.L.P. (“St. David’s”), I am submitting the attached updated request seeking a variance for remodeled hospital wayfinding signs. St. David’s is seeking a variance from parts of City Code §25-10-124 to allow the hospital to improve the visibility of emergency wayfinding signs around the campus perimeter. Approval of this request would help improve wayfinding for patients and drivers seeking emergency medical attention in the following ways: 1. Allowing more than one sign of a lot allows drivers approaching from all directions to more easily find the correct entrance and location of the needed hospital wing (§25-10-124(B)); 2. Allowing signs to exceed the 64 sq. ft. maximum area – up to 90 sq. ft. – will improve visibility for drivers traveling at high rates of speed who may be distressed and may not be familiar with the hospital campus (§25-10-124(B)(1)); 3. Allowing signs to exceed the 12 ft. height limit – up to 17 ft. – will better elevate the signs above the surrounding tree line, existing landscaping, and average vehicular height – all of which detract from the signs’ visibility (§25-10-124(B)(2)); 4. Allowing the signs along the Mopac frontage road to be internally illuminated improves wayfinding efficiency at night when patients and drivers are seeking time-sensitive emergency medical attention (§25-10-124(F)); 5. Allowing the signs along the Mopac frontage road to be closer to the curb in the right-of- way provides the flexibility needed to comply with clearance requirements for overhead utility lines and reduces fire risk (§25-10-124(G), §25-10-191(E), §25-10-191(F). The topography of the site slopes down from north to south. This means that drivers traveling northbound towards the hospital along the Mopac frontage road are looking for signs that sit below the tree line, hindering visibility. Sign visibility along Mopac is also impacted by the limited lighting along the frontage road, making the signs harder to read at night, and the grade along Park Bend Drive, which results in east- west traffic partially obstructing the southernmost frontage road sign. Additionally, the existing sign at the main campus entrance is partially obstructed by landscaping. These impediments are further exacerbated due to the high rates of speeds at which cars are often approaching. Accurate navigation is critical in time ITEM04/6 sensitive moments of medical need, and improving the visibility of hospital signage serves as a benefit to the broader community. The site also has overhead utility lines running north-south along the western property line. Overhead utility lines have certain clearance requirements for safety, and the signs may need to be placed further west of the electrical lines depending on Austin Energy review. Reducing the required distance from the curb in the right-of-way provides the flexibility needed to accommodate the utility lines in alignment with safety regulations. In addition to the site’s unique topographical and physical encumbrances, emergency room signs are unique from other commercial or advertising signs due to their nature and purpose. Emergency wayfinding signs provide critical navigational assistance and reduce confusion for Austinites seeking urgent medical attention, which is in alignment with the purpose of the sign ordinance as set forth in §25-10-1(A)(4). That code provision, established by Ordinance 20170817-072, asserts that the purpose of the City’s sign regulations is in part to “protect the safety and efficiency of the City's transportation system by reducing confusion and distractions to pedestrians and motorists […].” Patients or drivers looking for the emergency room may be stressed or distracted as they search for a place that may be new to them and would benefit from clearer signage and guidance. Moreover, granting the requesting variances would not have an adverse impact on neighboring properties; the signs would not obscure the view of any other commercial signs, would not be visible in any capacity from the nearby neighborhoods, and would require a lower level of variance than other nearby signs along Mopac that reach heights as tall as 35 ft. Attached to this application are exhibits showing the existing and proposed sign locations, dimensions, and approach visibilities. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to answering any questions and providing further details. Respectfully, Michael J. Whellan ITEM04/7 St Davids North Austin Medical Center Exterior Signage Variance Request 19 September 2024 St Davids North Austin Medical CenterExterior SignageVariance RequestITEM04/8 Directional Sign B 38 A A 56 B Directional Sign East Campus Entrance 54A B S u r g e r y C tr e n’s C tr E n tra n c e E n tra n c e W o m E E n a t r a s t n c e Main Campus Entrance B B 2 2 A A 2 b ula n c e E n tra n c e m A Adult ED Entrance Main Entrance u t p a tie n t a gin g C e n te r I m O A m C hild re n’s b ula n c e E n tra n c e C hild re n’s E E n tra n c e D South Entrance North Campus Entrance B 37 A Directional Sign B B 1 1 A A 1 South Campus Entrance B 5 A Directional Sign 3 3 3 SK219SEPT2024 St Davids North Austin Medical CenterExterior SignageVariance RequestENGINEERING GROUP INC.GRIFFINNORTH AUSTIN MEDICAL CENTEROVERALL CAMPUS PLANITEM04/9 Allowable: Height: 12'-0" Square Footage: 64 sf Proposed: Height: 11'-10" Square Footage: 58 sf Illumination: No internal face illumination Illumination: *Internal face illumination Set Back: At least 12 feet from the street right-of-way, or at least 25 feet from street pavement or curb in the right-of-way, whichever setback is the lesser distance from the street. Set Back: No change *Red Text = Proposed design does not meet current code requirements 18' 16' 14' 12' 10' 8' 6' 4' 2' LOCATION 1: Directional at Mopac and Cedar Bend Existing Condition: 10'-10"(h) x 6'-8"(w) 7'-0" Emergency All Entrances Women’s Ctr " 0 1 - ' 1 1 SK319SEPT2024 St Davids North Austin Medical CenterExterior SignageVariance RequestITEM04/10 Allowable: Height: 12'-0" Square Footage: 64 sf Proposed: Height: 12'-0" Square Footage: *84 sf Illumination: No internal face illumination Illumination: *Internal face illumination Set Back: At least 12 feet from the street right-of-way, or at least 25 feet from street pavement or curb in the right-of-way, whichever setback is the lesser distance from the street. Set Back: No change *Red Text = Proposed design does not meet current code requirements 18' 16' 14' 12' 10' 8' 6' 4' 2' LOCATION 2: Main Entrance Monument Existing Condition: 10'-10"(h) x 8'-7"(w) 10'-0" " 0 - ' 2 1 Emergency SK419SEPT2024 St Davids North Austin Medical CenterExterior SignageVariance RequestITEM04/11 Allowable: Height: 12'-0" Square Footage: 64 sf Proposed: Height: *16'-7.5" Square Footage: *84 sf Illumination: No internal face illumination Illumination: *Internal face illumination Set Back: At least 12 feet from the street right-of-way, or at least 25 feet from street pavement or curb in the right-of-way, whichever setback is the lesser distance from the street. Set Back: No change *Red Text = Proposed design does not meet current code requirements 18' 16' 14' 12' 10' 8' 6' 4' 2' LOCATION 3: Directional at Mopac and Park Bend 7'-0" Emergency Children‛s Emergency Main Entrance Mental Health & Wellness Women’s Ctr of Texas " 2 / 1 7 - ' 6 1 Existing Condition: 10'-10"(h) x 6'-8"(w) SK519SEPT2024 St Davids North Austin Medical CenterExterior SignageVariance RequestITEM04/12 Signage Precedants along North Mopac Estimated Height = 20’ – Internally Illuminated Estimated Height = 25’ – Internally Illuminated Estimated Height = 30’ Estimated Height = 20’ – Internally Illuminated Estimated Height = 30’–35’ – Internally Illuminated SK619SEPT2024 St Davids North Austin Medical CenterExterior SignageVariance RequestITEM04/13