HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2024December 16, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Paducah City Hall Commission Chambers
Attendees: Erna Boykin, Jim Chapman, Chairwoman Carol Young
Absent: Vice-Chair Patrick Perry
Staff: Joshua P. Sommer, Planner III
Guests: Blake Anderson, Chris Holland
Chairwoman Young called the called 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.
Mrs. Boykin offered:
I move that the reading of the minutes for November 18, 2024 be waived and that the minutes of said meeting, as prepared by staff, be approved as written.
Mr. Chapman seconded.
Chairwoman Young called for the vote.
3 Ayes (Boykin, Chapman, Young), 0 Nays
Continued Petitions
New Petitions
Case# VAR2024-0014 2310 Lone Oak Road
Variance request of 54.5 square feet for a proposed 129.5 square foot sign and a 2’ 6” height variance for said sign to be 27’ 6” tall in the Highway Business Zone.
Planner III Josh Sommer presented the staff report. He stated the actual variance request was 19.5 square feet since a total sign of 110 square feet is permitted. The City of Paducah
Comprehensive Plan is nonambiguous when references are made to the preference of monument signs. This sign would still be much bigger than new signage along Lone Oak Road. Staff was
still recommending denial of the variances.
Mr. Chapman offered:
I move that the 54.5 square foot variance request and the 2’ 6” height variance for a 129.5 square foot freestanding sign proposed to be 27’ 6” tall at 2310 Lone Oak Road be denied based
on the following findings of fact:
The City of Paducah Comprehensive Plan sets forth the initiative to Upgrade the character of nonresidential areas to promote the unique character that sets the area apart from other
towns.
Beautification and Wayfinding is a priority of the Board of Commissioners, pursuant to MO 2863.
The Comprehensive Plan speaks at length about the removal of pole signs and favors monument signs.
Any new sign would be able to be 110 square feet due to street frontage, while most other signs along this portion of Lone Oak Road would be limited to 75 square feet.
The freestanding sign, as presented, does not keep with the spirit and intent of the Paducah Zoning Ordinance, as the sign code is meant to standardize sign sizes and enhance viewsheds
in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.
The variance would run with the land. Any future sign could be a total of 129.5 square feet and 27’ 6” tall if approved which would therefore diminish community character in this area
in perpetuity and dilute the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and the Board of Commissioners priorities.
Mrs. Boykin seconded.
Chairwoman Young opened the public hearing and invited the Petitioner to speak.
The Petitioner’s professional representative, Chris Holland with Bluegrass Signs, spoke. He stated the primary reasons for the variance request was for sign conformity across the brand
and this particular location was going to be a “flag ship” store. He stated Lone Oak Road was a busy street with limited visibility. Two signs were removed from the previous site.
Mr. Chapman asked what would be the next plan should the variance not be approved. Mr. Holland stated the sign could be lowered to 25’ but requested the variance be approved for the
size of the sign.
Mr. Blake Anderson, Petitioner, stated the larger sign would allow everything on the site on one sign. He feels that a freestanding sign and a monument sign would be sign clutter.
Hearing no further public comment, Chairwoman Young closed the public hearing.
Discussion was made about potentially granting the variance in some form if the sign was lowered. Mr. Sommer stated he would be happy to craft a motion, but the particulars of the motion
would need to be worked out. Mr. Chapman stated the sign, if granted, would still not be in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.
No further questions were asked. Chairwoman Young called for the vote.
0 Ayes, 3 Nays (Boykin, Chapman, Young)
Other Business
Adjournment
The BOA adjourned at 5:49 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joshua P. Sommer, AICP
