Board of AdjustmentMay 12, 2025

ITEM02 C16-2025-0003 GRANTED DS — original pdf

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CITY OF AUSTIN Board of Adjustment-Sign Variance Decision Sheet Item 02 DATE: May 12, 2025 CASE NUMBER: C16-2025-0003 ___-____Thomas Ates (D1) OUT ___Y____Bianca A Medina-Leal (D2) ___Y____Jessica Cohen (D3) ___Y____Yung-ju Kim (D4) ___A____Melissa Hawthorne (D5) ABSTAINED ___-____Niccolo A Sacco (D6) OUT ___Y____Sameer S Birring (D7) ___Y____Margaret Shahrestani (D8) ___Y____Brian Poteet (D9) ___-____Michael Von Ohlen (D10) OUT ___Y____Jeffery L Bowen (M) ___-____Corry L Archer-mcclellan (Alternate) (M) OUT ___Y____Suzanne Valentine (Alternate) (M) ___-____VACANT (Alternate) (M) APPLICANT: Colton Gohlke OWNER: Ascension Seton – Maria Vinhais ADDRESS: 4900 MUELLER BLVD VARIANCE REQUESTED: The applicant is requesting a sign variance(s) from the Land Development Code, Section 25-10-130 (Commercial Sign District Regulations) (B) to allow from one (1) freestanding sign (maximum allowed), to adding an additional nine (9) freestanding signs [total of eleven (11)] (requesting) in order to erect free-standing sign(s) for Ascension Dell Children’s Medical Center in a “PUD”, Commercial Sign District. Note: 25-10-130 - COMMERCIAL SIGN DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a commercial sign district. (B) One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot. Additional freestanding signs may be permitted under Section 25-10- 131 (Additional Freestanding Signs Permitted). (C) A roof sign may be permitted instead of a freestanding sign under Section 25-10-132 (Roof Sign Instead of Freestanding Sign). (D) Wall signs are permitted. (E) One flag for each curb cut is permitted. (F) This subsection prescribes the maximum sign area. (1) For signs other than freestanding signs, the total sign area for a lot may not exceed 20 percent of the facade area of the first 15 feet of the building. (2) For a freestanding sign, the sign area may not exceed the lesser of (a) 0.7 square feet for each linear foot of street frontage; or (b) for a sign other than a multi-tenant sign, 200 square feet; or (c) for a multi-tenant sign, 250 square feet. (G) The sign height may not exceed the greater of: (1) 30 feet above frontage street pavement grade; or (2) 6 feet above grade at the base of the sign. Source: Section 13-2-867; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20170817-072, Pt. 14, 8-28-17. 25-10-131 - ADDITIONAL FREESTANDING SIGNS PERMITTED. (A) This section applies in the expressway corridor, downtown, and commercial sign districts. (B) In this section, "lot" includes contiguous lots used for a single use or unified development. (C) For a lot with total street frontage of more than 400 feet, two freestanding signs are permitted. (D) For a lot fronting on two streets, one freestanding sign is permitted on each street. (E) For a pad site within a unified development, one freestanding sign is permitted in addition to the other freestanding signs permitted by this chapter. Source: Section 13-2-870; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11. BOARD’S DECISION: The public hearing was closed by Madam Chair Jessica Cohen, Board member Jeffery Bowen’s motion to Approve; Board member Suzanne Valentine second on 8-0 votes (Vice-Chair Melissa Hawthorne abstains); GRANTED. FINDING: 1. The variance is necessary because strict enforcement of the Article prohibits and reasonable opportunity to provide adequate signs on the site, considering the unique features of a site such as its dimensions, landscape, or topography, because: 1 freestanding sign is not enough to efficiently locate the entrance or building that a citizen may need in case of emergency, multiple freestanding signs located around the property will help eliminate this issue. OR, 2. The granting of this variance will not have a substantially adverse impact upon neighboring properties, because: with this variance, the additional freestanding signs will increase traffic flow since the building will be easier to locate, it will also be helpful in case of an emergency, the individual will be able to find the appropriate building quicker. OR, 3. The granting of this variance will not substantially conflict with the stated purposes of this sign ordinance, because: n/a 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: there are many other hospitals in the city of Austin that have multiple freestanding signs, with the approval of this variance the applicant will be equal to the other hospitals in the area. Elaine Ramirez Executive Liaison Jessica Cohen Madam Chair for