Staff Notes Town of Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
Sign Variance No.: 5-2020
Project Applicant: SAXTON SIGNS
Project Location: 1454 State Route 9/Ward 1
Parcel History: SP 65-2019; SP 35-2018; CC 23-2020; CC 800-2019; DEMO 793-2019,SP(M)16-2020
SEQR Type: Unlisted
Meeting Date: May 20, 2020
Description of Proposed Project:
Applicant proposes 5 wall signs: 2 Starbucks circle logo signs (19.62 sq. ft. each); 1 Starbucks word sign(21.75
sq. ft.); and 2 Drive-Thru signs (6.96 sq. ft. each at top of building). Project includes installing freestanding
digital signs (Pre-menu board 1 panel at 6.72 sq. ft.) and order menu board with 3 panels (22.9 sq. ft.). Project
includes directional signage consistent with Chapter 140. Relief for number of wall signs and number of
freestanding signs.
Relief Required]
The applicant requests relief for number of wall signs and number of freestanding signs.
Section 140- Signs in the Commercial Intensive zone Cl
The applicant is currently constructing a commercial building that proposes wall signs and free standing signs.
The proposed business is allowed one wall sign and one free standing sign. The plans indicate 5 walls signs are
proposed where only one is allowed. The plans indicate 3 free standing signs are proposed and only one is
allowed---note the applicant has a separate sign variance SV 3-2020 application for a free standing sign to
include space for the hotel, Starbucks, and a future tenant. Relief for that sign is for setbacks.
Criteria for considering a Sign Variance according to Chapter 140 of Town Law:
In making a determination,the board shall consider:
1. Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment
to nearby properties will be created by the granting of this sign variance. Minimal to no impacts to the
neighborhood may be anticipated.
2. Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method, feasible for the
applicant to pursue, other than a sign variance. Feasible alternatives may be considered to reduce the
number of signs requested.
3. Whether the requested sign variance is substantial. The relief requested may be considered substantial
relevant to the code. Relief is requested to have 4 additional walls signs and 2 additional free standing signs.
4. Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or
environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district. The project as proposed may have minimal to
no impact on the environmental conditions of the neighborhood.
5. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. The difficulty may be considered self-created.
Staff comments:
The applicant proposes to install 5 wall signs and 3 free standing signs for the new proposed Starbuck
restaurant. The plans show signage on each side of the building, a pre-menu digital free standing sign and a
menu digital free standing sign. The project site is within the Shopping Plaza Outlets and has an existing hotel
building behind where Starbucks is to be located.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes