Loading...
LEGAL APPROVAL %e City of 'Boynton ~eacli 100 'E. '.Boynton '.Beadi '1Jou/evartf P.O. '.Boi(310 '.Boynton '.Beadi, 'Jforitfa 33425-0310 City!Hafi: (407) 375-6000 'JJU: (407) 375..(j()9() May 21, 1996 Steve Lovrekovic 2607 South Federal Highway Boynton Beach, Florida 33435 Re: Shane's Motor Lodge Board of Zoning Appeals Case #218 Variance: To allow installation of an 8'0" x 6'0", freestanding sign with a setback reduced to 5'0" and the leading edge of the sign projected at the distance of 1 '0" from the front property line. Dear Mr. Lovrekovic: Your request for the variance regarding the above referenced c~ was approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals at its May 20, 1996 meeting with the stipulation that the variance (/ becomes null and void if any of the following occur: a) The row of trees is removed; or b) The current, nonconforming motel structure is demolished or demolished and replaced with a conforming building. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me. Sincerely, ~ - ..c:/ h~- t. 9. ' Tambri J. Heyden Planning and Zoning Director TJH:bme 5lmerU;a's qateway to tfU qulfstream MINUTES BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 20,1996 Case #218 Location: Owner: Requested Variance: 2607 South Federal Highway Steve Lovrekovic Request relief from sign code (Land Development Regulations, Chapter 21, Article III, Section 5) to install a 6'8" x 5'0" freestanding sign to be located 4.75 feet from the front property line of a C-3 (Community Commercial) zoned parcel. Mr. Lovrekovic, the owner of Shane's Motor Lodge, advised that there is a mistake on the dimensions of the sign. Mr. Lovrekovic lives on this property. He circulated photographs depicting a northbound and southbound view of the present sign in relation to the sidewalk. The sign is over the sidewalk because the city widened the streets in the 1960's. This sign was installed when his family purchased the property in 1975. He is changing a few things in his business and is trying to update his image. He became - - AAA rated. He is going to change the name of the business to Comfort Lodge to mc:ke it more professional. He is renovating the rooms. The sign is getting old and he would like to replace it and move it off the street. There are Royal Palms in the front. As you look southbound, you see the office and the carport. The building is 8.9 feet from the street because the street was widened. If you were going northbound, the office building would block the sign. If he were to put the sign according to code, it would be 10 feet from the sidewalk, behind the Royal Palms, and the building would block the sign from all traffic coming from the south. The measurements of the sign are 8' wide by 4' high. He asked for the sign to be 8' wide by 6' high. He has 200 feet of frontage; therefore, it is well within the 64 square feet he is allowed as far as the sign size. Therefore, he is strictly asking for a variance just for the setback. His intentions are to put the sign off the sidewalk. If he centers it between the Royal Palms and the sidewalk, that would give him a foot either way, so it would be right next to the sidewalk. It would be next to the trees, but not in between the trees. Mr. Rappoport asked how high the sign is. Mr. Lovrekovic said the sign in the photographs is 14 feet tall. Mr. Rappoport asked how far the base of the sign is from the ground. Mr. Lovrekovic said it is 10 feet. The sign he proposes to install would be a foot shorter. It will be 13 feet overall. Everything will be brand new and according to code as far as wind loads, etc. Chairman Miriana inquired about the mistake in the dimensions of the sign. Mr. Lovrekovic advised that the correct dimensions are 6' tall by 8' feet wide. Chairman Miriana noticed that the palm trees are spaced out evenly with the exception of an 18 to 20 foot space 6 MINUTES BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS BOYNTON BEACH, flORIDA MAY 20, 1996 between two trees. Mr.lovrekovic stated that there was a tree in that space; however, it died and he plans to replace it. Mr. Lovrekovic stated that the trees are set back 10 feet from the sidewalk. The sign will be centered on a single pole five feet from the sidewalk. The colors of the sign are blue (to match the motel), and light yellow. Chairman Miriana advised that the city has gone through a great deal of trouble setting up new sign regulations. They are trying to clean up the city and give it a new image. In response to a question from Vice Chairman Uleck, Mr. Lovrekovic said the edge of the sign will be one foot from the sidewalk. Chairman Uleck asked how much clearance is there between the sidewalk and the edge of the tree. Mr. Lovrekovic said it would be 10 feet. The sign is 1.5 feet thick. The sign would not overhang the sidewalk at all. He does not want to put the sign between the trees because it cannot be seen well from there. In response to questions posed by Ms. Hammer, Mr. Lovrekovic believes the original sign was installed in the mid 1960s. It was made nonconforming by the widening of the streets. His property was 300 feet deep. He lost 17 feet, which put the main building 8.9 feet from the sidewalk. Shirley Stevens, 2832 S.E. 5th Circle, the President of Los Mangos Property Owners Association, appeared before the board this evening on behalf of the Los Mangos Property Owners Association. She stated that the Los Mangos Property Owners Association has no objection to granting a variance for the setback, as long as the size of the sign meets the code. Mr. Rappoport felt the proposed sign would be an improvement because it would not. overhang the sidewalk and it is nicer looking than the old sign. He was in favor of granting the variance as requested. Ms. Hammer agreed with him. Ms. Hollingshead did not think Mr. Lovrekovic should be asked to put the sign in the middle of a row of palm trees where no one is going to see it. She also realized that this property edge was trimmed by virtue of the road widening. She suggested that if a variance is granted, that it be conditioned upon the following: 1 . That if the row of trees is permanently removed, the sign has to be moved back; and 2. If the motel is replaced with a conforming structure, the variance would cease and the signage would have to conform. 7 MINUTES BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 20,1996 She felt Mr. Lovrekovic needs a chance to have people see where his business is. Also, she did not think he should be required to keep this sign over people's heads on the sidewalk until it falls on someone. Ms. Hammer asked if Mr. Lovrekovic would be allowed to replace those trees with other trees. Ms. Heyden stated that our intent was to allow replacement of the existing trees. Mr. Lovrekovic stated that the proposed sign is like a stop sign for him. It tells people to stop and pull in. It is very important for him. If he was in the restaurant business, people would get to know the restaurant. However, he does not deal with locals that much. His clientele includes tourists and people looking for a home between apartments, so they need to see that sign. The sign will only contain the words "Comfort Lodge Rooms/Kitchens", and he will probably have an AAA sign embedded in the post. Vice Chairman Uleck asked if the sign can be moved back toward the trees a little more. . Mr. Lovrekovic said if he did that, the sign would be between the trees and people would - not be able to see it clearly. In response to Chairman Miriana regarding other alternatives, Mr. Lovrekovic explained the other alternatives he considered; however, they were not practical. He is using a high quality quarter inch Plexiglas so it will be a strong sign. He wants to keep the sign low so it does not get too much wind. If he used two poles, children might ride their bicycles under the sign. Vice Chairman Uleck suggested cutting down the sign to 6 or 7 feet if it cannot be moved back toward the trees. Mr. Lovrekovic advised that in order to do that, the words would have to be compressed and they would be difficult to read. He would also like to accentuate the fact that he has rooms and kitchens. His business is strictly seniors in the wintertime and local contractors, etc. off season. Chairman Miriana said the city is trying to project a new image and they are trying to correct the sign problem throughout the city. He felt something could be done to keep the sign a foot and a half away from the sidewalk. Ms. Hollingshead said it seems our choice is between a sign which currently hangs over the entire sidewalk or a new and improved sign which is a foot back from the sidewalk. Chairman Miriana suggested taking down a couple of the palm trees to widen the vision a little more. Mr. Lovrekovic said he would have to remove the whole row of palm trees because you would not be able to see the sign until you are right in front of it. Mr. Rappoport would not want to see the palm trees taken down because they add to the beauty of the area. 8 MINUTES BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 20,1996 Motion Ms. Hollingshead moved to grant the variance to allow the sign as drawn, in accordance with the plans set out in the presentation Mr. Lovrekovic has given us, subject to the board's two conditions that if that row of trees is permanently removed or if the current use is changed and the nonconforming nature of it alters, then the sign would have to come into conformity. Ms. Hammer seconded the motion. A roll call vote was polled by the Recording Secretary as follows: Rappoport Uleck Hammer Hollingshead Miriana Aye Aye Aye Aye Nay The motion carried 4-1. H. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed. I. COMMENTS BY MEMBERS No comments were made by the members. J. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, Mr. Rappoport moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Ms. Hammer seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. / d~ .~ Z~t,~ Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (Two Tapes) 9