2. request for approval of zone change Z 11-04: Sherri H. and John W. Jones, Jr. request for approval of zone change from Neighborhood Commercial (CN) to General Commercial (CG) District, on following property: 6005-6007 Knickerbocker Road at southwest corner of Red Bluff and Knickerbocker Roads in southern San Angelo, specifically on Lot 2 in Block 2 of Lake Nasworthy Addition Group 21
10. LOOKING WEST AT SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM ACROSS KNICKERBOCKER RD
11. Background Surrounding land uses: North – CN self-storage East – RS-1 single-family, Glen Meadows South - outside City limits (power station) West – CN self-service storage 3 notifications – 2 in favor, 0 in opposition;
12. Background While anyone may oppose the request, state and local laws require that the owners of 20% or more of the area within 200 feet give written protest to require a favorable vote of ¾ of the Council; In this case, that has not occurred – therefore, only a vote by the majority of the Council is needed to approve;
13. Analysis 2003 Comprehensive Plan specifically called for CG zoning at this location; 2009 Comprehensive Plan calls for commercial zoning at this location; 2003 Comprehensive Plan encourages focusing commercial in areas where generated traffic can be accommodated;
14. Analysis Both the 2003 and 2009 plans encourage this type of commercial use at major intersections such as this; Both plans encourages reuse of existing buildings, consistent with zoning plans for the city;
15. Recommendation Staff recommends approving this request for CG zoning; Planning Commission unanimously approve this request for CG zoning;
16. VII. Request for approval of Sign Variance SV 11-02 Arrow Signs request for approval of variance from restrictions on locations where off-site signs (a.k.a. billboards) are allowed in CG and CG/CH zoning districts, on the following property: 1606 LaFollette Street at northeast corner of North Bell and LaFollette Streets in northeast San Angelo, specifically on site comprised of Lots 11 thru 14 as well as Lots 16 thru 25 in Block 15 of the Avondale Addition Notifications not required
24. Background Section 12.605 generally allows off-site signs in certain zoning districts, as follows: Heavy Manufacturing (MH), Light Manufacturing (ML), Heavy Commercial (CH) and Office Warehouse (OW) Districts. Off-site signs are generally prohibited from Office Commercial (CO) and Neighborhood Commercial (CN) zoning districts.
25. Background (cont.) CG and CG/CH zoning is used most frequently for retail trade aimed toward household consumers; Are also possibly the most geographically extensive commercial zoning districts, covering significant stretches of many major thoroughfares;
26. Background (cont.) Designated thoroughfares: N Bryant Blvd, from W 14th north to City limits; N Chadbourne St, from 37th St north to City limits; Pulliam St, from N Bell St east to City limits; S Chadbourne St, from Ave N south to City limits; Loop 306 from Sherwood Way east to City limits; Sherwood Way, from Clare Dr southwest to City limits; and Arden Rd, from Sherwood Way west to City limits.
27. Background (cont.) These allowed locations are located at the periphery of San Angelo and not within its older urban core; Billboard signs are believed to be most useful when directing out-of-town visitors to points-of-interest; Off-site signs at retail locations in the city center could result in unnecessary visual clutter and distraction;
28. Criteria for Sign Variances Special circumstances or conditions…which would substantially restrict the effectiveness of the sign in question; such special circumstances or conditions do not apply generally to all businesses or enterprises; Such special circumstances were not created by the applicant; The granting of the variance will be in general harmony with the purpose of Sign Regulations and will not be materially detrimental to adjacent property. The variance is the minimum necessary to afford relief from the hardship.
29. Recommendations City staff and the Planning Commission recommend denying the variance; Appears to be no different from other CG and CG/CH areas subject to the same prohibition on off-site signs. Approving will grant this one property owner a special privilege not generally available to others; Approving also seems contrary to the apparent intent and purpose of limiting off-site to locations not within its older urban core.
30. Annexation Hearing October 5, 2010 – City Council unanimously approved an initiation of annexation in the subject area; State law requires two public hearings to give the public opportunity to speak for or against annexation of this area; The first hearing was be May 3rd;
31.
32. Area Features the site of Lake Nasworthy Power Station; an adjacent substation of electric power transformers; an approximately 500-foot wide strip of land occupied by parallel arrays of electric power transmission lines; and an approximately 0.34-mile long segment of right-of-way for Red Bluff Road.
33. Rationale Anticipated future annexation of land to the west, will leave a “hole” in the incorporated area of San Angelo; When sold to WTU, agreement was that it would not be brought into City limits unless development for residential and other purposes has progressed continuously to such an extent that the area covered by this deed is substantially surrounded by land actually developed inside the City Limits; Segment of Red Bluff Rd has been maintained by the City for over 60 years;