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