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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZAV 1993-10 I i i RESOLUTION NO. 2AV-93-10 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA PLANNING COMMISSION DENYING A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA AT 290 "I" STREET I WHEREAS, a duly verified application for a variance was filed I' with the City of Chula Vista Planning Department on April 13, 1993 by Royston Corporation, on behalf of Southland Corporation, and WHEREAS, said application requests approval to exceed the ~ maximum allowable-sign area at a convenience store at 290 "I" Street in the C-O zone, and WHEREAS, the Planning Director set the time and place for a hearing on said variance application and notice of said hearing, together with its purpose, was given by its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the city and its mailing to property owners within 500 feet of the exterior boundaries of the property at least 10 days prior to the hearing, and WHEREAS, the hearing was held at the time and place as advertised, namely June 9, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, before the Planning Commission and said hearing was thereafter closed, and WHEREAS, the project is exempt from environmental review as a Class 1(e) and (g) exemption. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION finds as follows: 1. That a hardship peculiar to the property and not created by any act of the owner exists. Said hardship may include practical difficulties in developing for the needs of the owner consistent with the regulations of the zone; but in this context, personal, family or financial difficulties, loss of prospective profits, and neighboring violations are not hardships justifying a variance. Further, a previous variance can never have set a precedent, for each case must be considered only on its individual merits. ~~-~.P~ The site contains a prominent freestanding pole sign adjacent to the street which identifies the use to both "I" Street and Third Avenue to the west. The building is located only 75 ft. back from the. street, which should provide no impediment to readil identif in the co a lied to a 50 s . Y Y g PY pp q ft. wall sign. 2. That such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property sights possessed by other properties in the same zoning district and in the same vicinity, and that a variance, if granted would not constitute a special privilege of the recipient not enjoyed by his neighbors. The applicant's statements about loss of market share notwithstanding, there is no proof that this increased signage area is necessary in order to provide proper identification and conduct business and compete with similar businesses in the vicinity. on the contrary, the increased sign ~ area would constitute a special privilege not i enjoyed by other uses in the same zone and i vicinity. i 3. That the authorizing of such variance will not be of substantial detriment to the adjacent property and will not materially impair the purposes of this chapter or public interest. While adequate signage is essential to the success of any retail business, excessive, unnecessary signage can be defined as visual blight and, as such, is a substantial detriment to adjacent properties. It is believed that the proposal to exceed the maximum allowable sign area by almost 300% is contrary to the public interest and will materially impair. the purpose of the code to regulate signs in a reasonable and equitable manner. 4. That the granting of such variance will not adversely affect the general plan of the City or the adopted plan of any government agency. One of the General Plan objectives for central Chula Vista calls for enhanced visual quality through actions such as improved signage. It is not believed that the approval of the request will further this objective. uv-[es.pc i BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION hereby denies this variance request. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, this ninth day of June, 1993, by the following vote: i Ayes: Commissioners Fuller, Carson, Moot, Martin, Tuchscher, I Tarantino I Noes: Commissioner Ray Absent: None 7 i.'r'~ "~..~C~GI' Susa Fuller, Chairperson A...ty/t~~est : Na cy Ri ley, Secr tary ~~-«.P~