HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-2023September 25, 2023 5:30 p.m.
Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers
Attendees: Troy Astin, Erna Boykin, Jim Chapman, Vice-Chair Patrick Perry
Absent: Chairwoman Young
Staff: Nic Hutchison, Director of Planning; Joshua P. Sommer, Planner III
Guests: Jarryd Holshouser, Larry Evers, Chris Holland, Paul Signa, Kerrie Signa
Vice-Chair Perry called the regular meeting of the Paducah Board of Adjustment to order at 5:30 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag was recited.
The roll was taken.
Mr. Chapman offered:
I move that the reading of the minutes for August 28, 2023 be waived and that the minutes of said meeting, as prepared by staff, be approved as written.
Mr. Astin seconded.
No corrections were requested. Vice-Chair Perry called for the vote.
4 Ayes (Astin, Boykin, Chapman, Perry), 0 Nays
Continued Petitions
Case# VAR2023-0010 211 Broadway
Five square foot variance request for a six square foot secondary sign.
Mr. Sommer stated renderings of Broadway in approximately the 1950’s around the 200 block of Broadway had been submitted. Mr. Sommer stated the visual intrusions on Broadway was not
the vision of either City Government or the Paducah Main Street. He further stated that some local signs were e-mailed to the board members for their review prior to the meeting.
Additionally, Mr. Astin provided some historical pictures of signage. Mr. Sommer stated staff’s recommendation was still one of denial. He then turned the floor back to Vice-Chair
Perry for the reading of the motion and to re-open the public hearing.
Mr. Astin offered:
I move that this Board remove from the table Case# VAC2023-0010 pertaining to a proposed sign variance at 211 Broadway.
As a reminder, the motion on the floor is:
I move that this Board receive and file the application of Troy Davenport for a five square foot variance request for a six square foot secondary sign to be installed at 211 Broadway.
I further move that the variance be denied based on the following findings of fact:
The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan is not supportive of the variance based on the stated Goals and Objectives.
The Board of Commissioner priorities as outlined in the strategic plan does not support the reasoning for a variance.
The Main Street Design Committee Chairman is not in favor of the variance.
Criteria provided in KRS 100.243 (a) and (b) are not met, as additional signage is provided for in the zoning ordinance.
Larger secondary signage can lead to sign proliferation for all secondary businesses or short-term rentals. This would erode the “sense of place” that downtown Paducah provides.
The stated purpose of the B-2-T Zone is to encourage the development, redevelopment and preservation of the downtown area. Larger secondary signage would not be keeping with the preservation
of downtown.
Mr. Chapman seconded.
Vice-Chair Perry re-opened the public hearing. He asked if the Petitioner’s representative, Mr. Holshouser, would like to speak. Mr. Holshouser stated that the pictures he submitted
were from the 200 block of Broadway. Vice-Chair Perry asked what constituted a primary and secondary sign. Mr. Sommer explained. Mr. Chapman asked if there were other secondary signs
along Broadway. Mr. Holshouser wasn’t sure, but did state a door was placed in the building to provide access to the second floor.
Hearing no further comment, Vice-Chair Perry closed the public hearing.
No further questions were asked. Vice-Chair Perry called for the vote.
4 Ayes (Astin, Boykin, Chapman, Perry), 0 Nays
New Petitions
Case# VAR2023-0013 1506 Park Avenue
Variance request to allow an additional sign for a total of three.
Mr. Sommer presented the staff report. He stated sign was proposed to be 16 square feet and be located midway between the existing church sign and the thrift store sign. Staff was
recommending denial. He stated some possible solutions had been listed in the staff report. The floor was returned to Vice-Chair Perry for the reading of the motion and to open the
public hearing.
Vice-Chair Perry offered:
I move that this Board receive and file the application of the United Church of Paducah for an additional sign to be installed at 1506 Park Avenue.
I further move that the variance be denied based on the following findings of fact:
The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan is not supportive of the variance based on the stated Goals and Objectives.
This site is part of the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood wherein measured, thoughtful land use regulations have helped to revitalize this neighborhood.
Criteria provided in KRS 100.243 (a) and (b) are not met, as two freestanding signs are provided for in the zoning ordinance and there appear not to be any unusual characteristics of
this site that would necessitate a variance.
Additional signage can lead to sign proliferation for this area of Paducah. This would erode the “sense of place” that this stretch of Park Avenue provides.
A stated purpose of the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Zone is the facilitation of development that demonstrates an appropriateness of scale. Additional signage would not be keeping
with the intent of the NCCZ.
Mr. Astin seconded.
Vice-Chair Perry opened the public hearing and invited the Petitioner to speak.
Mr. Larry Evers spoke. He stated the United Church of Paducah meets prior to Grace Covenant and would like to have signage for their own church. The United Church of Paducah and Grace
Covenant both meet in the same building. Mr. Evers stated the sign size and location was chosen so that the primary sign for Grace Covenant would not be blocked. Further, the sign
would be in view of their church’s office.
Vice-Chair Perry asked where the thrift store’s primary entrance was. Mr. Evers stated patrons enter through Grace Covenant. Mrs. Boykin asked if Mr. Evers had spoken with Grace Covenant
about sharing a sign. Mr. Evers stated he had not at the present time.
Mr. Evers proposed a different location along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. However, it was determined that particular property belongs to the City of Paducah. Mr. Sommer asked Mr.
Evers if he would like to engage Grace Covenant about sharing a sign, rather than proceeding with the vote. Mr. Evers stated he would like to speak with Grace Covenant. Therefore,
the Board decided collectively to table the petition until the next meeting.
Hearing no further comment, Vice-Chair Perry closed the public hearing.
Vice-Chair Perry made a motion to table the petition.
Mr. Chapman seconded.
No further questions were asked. Vice-Chair Perry called for the vote to table the petition.
4 Ayes (Astin, Boykin, Chapman, Perry), 0 Nays
Case# VAR2023-0014 225 Broadway
A variance request to allow an existing projecting sign to be internally lit.
Mr. Chapman stated he was going to recuse himself and asked someone let him know when the case had been decided. He then left the Commission Chambers.
Mr. Sommer presented the staff report. He stated the existing sign was 5.25 square feet and is proposed to be internally lit. He further stated an internally lit sign would not be
keeping with the City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan, as brighter signage would not further the goal of keeping Broadway’s sense of place. The floor was returned to Vice-Chair Perry
for the reading of the motion and to open the public hearing.
Mrs. Boykin offered:
I move that this Board receive and file the application of The Cork Room for an existing sign to be internally lit at 225 Broadway.
I further move that the variance be denied based on the following findings of fact:
The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan is not supportive of the variance based on the stated Goals and Objectives.
The Board of Commissioner priorities, as outlined in the strategic plan, does not support the reasoning for a variance.
Criteria provided in KRS 100.243 (a) and (b) are not met, as externally illuminated signage is provided for in the zoning ordinance.
Brighter signage can lead to requests for additional businesses to have internally illuminated signs in order to compete for patrons. This would erode the “sense of place” that downtown
Paducah provides.
The stated purpose of the B-2-T Zone is to encourage the development, redevelopment and preservation of the downtown area. Brighter signage would not be keeping with the preservation
of downtown.
Mr. Astin seconded.
Vice-Chair Perry opened the public hearing and invited the Petitioner to speak.
Mrs. Kerrie Signa spoke. She explained the sign was proposed to be internally lit due to the location, which is behind an existing awning of the next-door building. She also referenced
signage that had internally lit letters and neon signs. Mr. Paul Signa spoke. He asked for more information about neon signs. Mr. Chris Holland, with Bluegrass Signs, showed the
Board a picture of the sign in relation to the awing next door and stated this particular sign was not a candidate for other types of lighting. Mr. Astin stated that neon had historical
characteristics. Mrs. Signa stated that the Columbia and clock on the US Bank Building had various type of lighting. Mrs. Boykin stated both of these features were historic. Mrs.
Signa stated they were limited on size, therefore; an internally lit sign had been requested. Mr. Astin stated that the Board had parameters to guide them.
More discussion was made about specifically the lumens that the sign could generate. Mr. Hutchison suggested an approval could be given with the condition the light could not abridge
the property line. Mr. Sommer stated that was the performance standard for other commercial zones.
After further discussion, the motion was amended to include approval with the lighting parameter.
Mrs. Boykin offered:
I move that this Board approve the internally lit projecting sign with provision that the light shall not abridge the property line or street right-of-way line.
Mr. Astin seconded.
Hearing no further comment, Vice-Chair Perry closed the public hearing.
No further questions were asked. Vice-Chair Perry called for the vote on the new motion.
3 Ayes (Astin, Boykin, Perry), 0 Nays
Other Business
Adjournment
The BOA adjourned at 7:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joshua P. Sommer, AICP