PC 02/28/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . delivery service and not dependent on visibility. Mr. Dhillon does not believe they will have a lot of foot traffic. He feels the sign is important on the north elevation for visibility so that people will get familiar with its location. Mr. Dhillon is not asking for over-signage and does not feel his request constitutes a variance to the ordinance. The speaker feels that if he is denied this signage request, it will result in a hardship on his business. He asked staff for assistance to help him get better visibility on Main Street. Commissioner Wright inquired whether there were discussions about signage during the leasing negotiations. Mr. Dhillon stated that he asked the landlord, and got permission from Pizza Hut to put a sign on their leased tenant space. He acknowledged that they did not know to seek approval from the Planning Department. Paul Sethy, 3515A Bernal Avenue, is in support of this application and addressed the concept of survivability of businesses along Main Street. He cautioned the Dhillons of the number of turnovers at this location. The Planning Commission should make a concerted effort to assist downtown businesses, particularly in this center. Mr. Sethy doesn't feel this one-time exception could be considered a variance to the ordinance. He also believes there is very little walk-in traffic in this area. Mr. Sethy suggested designing a monument sign that benefits all businesses of the shopping center. PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED Commissioner Wright noted that this is the third Subway Sandwich location in town, and the other two locations do not have "Main Street" signage. He would agree to a sign on the north portion of the building but only on the westerly side. Commissioner Wright feels it would set a precedent to allow a sign on an elevation that is not the tenant's leased space. Commissioner McGuirk concurred with Commissioner Wright, but also agrees that the northwestern elevation signage will not give the amount of visibility being sought by the applicant. He is also concerned about the precedent-setting action of this request from other multiple-tenant buildings. Commissioner Barker supports the appeal for various reasons, one being that this shopping center's businesses struggle, this is not a pristine or historic area, they are only asking for two signs and would approve giving some help to the applicant. Commissioner Dove stated he spoke with the applicant. He noted that every business on the front of the strip has a sign over their business and he feels that adding a sign for Subway on the Pizza Hut elevation would not clutter the driveway. Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 February 28, 19%