CITY OF WALKER ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Wednesday, November 10, 2010 7:00 p.m. The meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order by Robert Marz, Chairman at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall 4243 Remembrance Rd., N.W., Walker, Michigan. Members present: Robert Marz, Chairman; Roger Crabtree; Charles Deschaine; Brian Boelens; Randy Smith; James Hickey and Sandra Howland. Members absent: Beth Rogers. Also present: Tammy Freedman, Recording Secretary. Legal Description DECISION AND ORDER Property located at 2255 Alpine Ave. N.W., also known on the tax rolls as 41-13-11-429-003. Hearing requested by Mark Datema. The applicant s request is to install a 64 square foot pylon sign instead of the 60 square foot allowed. Finding of Facts Robert Marz, Chairman reviewed the application and site plan submitted. No other citizens appeared on behalf of this request. Robert Marz asked Mark Datema what the sign is going to look like. Mark Datema replied that the top half of the sign will have the name of the business with a reader board at the bottom half of the sign. Robert Marz asked if the 64 sq. ft. sign is asking for includes the reader board. sign. Mark Datema stated that the 64 sq. ft. does include the reader board the sign is an 8 x 8 1
Jim Hickey asked Mr. Datema if he was going to change the color of the sign. Mark Datema explained that they will be changing the sign color. Jim Hickey explained that he went by this establishment twice before he was able to find the location. Jim Hickey further explained that he missed this location due to the color of the sign. Mark Datema explained that the new sign will look similar to their business cards which are blue, red, green and yellow. Mr. Datema further explained that the sign will be illuminated so customers will be able to see where they are located at night. Sandra Howland asked if the background of the sign will be white and then the colors will be added. Mark Datema explained that the background is white. Brian Boelens asked Mr. Datema if the new sign will be located in the same location as the existing sign. Mark Datema replied that the new sign will be in the same location as the existing sign. Brian Boelens asked if the new sign will be made of the same kind of material as the existing sign. Mark Datema explained that the current sign is just a 6 x 6 wood post with some type of 4 x 8 of plywood. The new sign will be made of metal and plastic. The new sign is an old Blimpie sign which is 8 x 8. Robert Marz stated that the new sign is an existing Blimpie sign that will be converted to Las Vegas Cheesecakes. Mark Datema explained this was correct. Roger Crabtree stated that the existing sign is 4 x 8 and the applicant wants to double the size of the new sign the bottom portion of the new sign is just reader board if the applicant removed 6 off the bottom of the new sign the applicant would be in compliance with the current sign ordinance. Roger Crabtree further stated that the location of where the Las Vegas Cheesecake Factory business is currently located this is a wide open corner, it is not like north Alpine Avenue where there are more businesses and more signs he further stated that if Mr. Datema would get a decent readable sign he get be in compliance with the new sign ordinance. 2
Robert Marz replied that the applicant has purchased an old Blimpie sign that he will be using for his new sign. Roger Crabtree stated that a sign company could take the box and cut off 6 off the new sign to make it in compliance with the sign ordinance. Robert Marz asked Mr. Datema if there was any reason why he couldn t take off 6 off the new sign to make it in compliance with the sign ordinance. Mark Datema stated he was not able to remove 6 off the sign because of how much it would cost to do that. Roger Crabtree stated chances are if it s an old sign being refurbished, they will have to re-ballast the sign. Mark Datema replied that everything works on the sign the only thing they will have to do with it is reface the sign. Randy Smith asked the applicant what he will be putting on the bottom reader board. Mark Datema replied they would be putting daily specials on the reader board. The Zoning Board of Appeals members discussed that the Ordinance Committee should take a look at standardizing the amount of signage allowed for pylon signs. 3
Motion Jim Hickey moved and Sandra Howland supported the motion to grant the applicant s request to install a 64 square foot pylon sign instead of the 60 square foot allowed. a. There are exceptional and extraordinary circumstances applicable to the property in question as to the intended use of the property that do not apply generally to other properties in the same zoning district our business has an extremely small, barely visible, sign even employees have a hard time seeing it. We need to be more visible to be successful long term business in Walker. b. The variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right similar to that possessed by other properties in the same zoning district. 2616 Alpine Avenue was granted a larger sing. The request for a variance is to help make our business more visible so we can be more successful in Walker. c. Authorization of the variance will not be of a substantial detriment to adjacent property and will not materially impair the intent and purpose of the ordinance or public interest in that approval of the request will not be a detriment to adjacent properties. By changing the sign it will look more professional and fit in better with the neighboring properties. This new sign will also allow us to continue our business in Walker and generate more jobs. d. The condition or the situation of the piece of property or the intended use of the property for which the variance is sought is not so general or recurrent a nature as to make reasonably practicable for the formulation of a general regulation. This is not a re-current problem. e. Does not apply. The Zoning Board of Appeals imposed the following conditions: 1. Corner lot with 2 front yards which makes this unique 2. The frame around the sign is not an integral part of the face of the sign. 4
Motion: Chuck Deschaine moved and Jim Hickey supported the motion to approve the Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes from September 8, 2010. Motion: Brian Boelens moved Roger Crabtree supported the motion to adjourn the Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting at 7:34 p.m. Roger Crabtree Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Tammy Freedman Recording Secretary 5