1987-07-22 SP
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QUEENSBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
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Special Meeting Held: July 22, 1987 at 7:30 p.m.
Present: Theodore Turner, Chairman
Charles O. Sicard
Jeffrey L. Kelley
Susan Goetz, Secretary
Daniel S. Griffin
Gustave Behr
Robert Eddy, Sign Enforcement Officer
Mack A. Dean, Building and Codes Enforcement Officer
Susan E. Davidsen, Planning and Zoning Department
R. Case Prime, Councel
Absent:
Michael Muller
Chairman Turner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He announced that Sign
Variance No. 1253, Allens Arts and Crafts would be considered along with Sign Variance
No. 1273, Zayre Department Store since these were related; in the same plaza on Route
9. Sign Variance No. 1272, O. A. Boychuk for Mark Plaza had tabled himself prior to the
meeting. Also, Use Variance No. 1275, Broad Street Car Wash, Inc. had tabled their
application prior to the meeting; they had changed the location of their site from Bay
Street to Quaker Road. It was too late for Warren County Planning Board to review the
new application since the change was made after the application deadline date. This
application will be reviewed at the August meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
SIGN VARIANCE NO. 1270
Kay's Motel
Mrs. Goetz read the application to maintain an existing freestanding sign 12 feet
from the property line. The size of the sign is 3 feet by 16% feet by 19% feet. The
application stated that they would like to maintain an existing wall sign 26 feet from
the property line. The size of this sign is 7 feet by 3% feet by 15 feet. The location of
the property is on Route 9, across from the Great Escape Amusement Park in a RC-15
zone.
Mr. Kelley stated that he thought sign number 1 looked bigger than 3 feet. Vincent
Cannistraro, owner of Kay's Motel, said that the rear panel had not been added to the
square footage of the sign. Mr. Cannistraro pointed out that north of the motel is a
barbecue stand and restaurant. Kay's Motel needs their sign as is. Tourist need to know
that it's AAA approved, air conditioned, central heat, etc.; having a good sign is an
important phase of the business. Mr. Cannistraro stated that sign number 1 is 3 feet wide;
the panels exist an additional 1 foot.
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Mrs. Goetz stated that the Board needs the exact measurement of the sign; it cannot
be based on guess work. Mr. Cannistraro said the total width is 4 feet. Mr. Behr said
then your sign is 4 ft. by 16% ft., equalling 66 square feet. The sign must be within 50
square feet. In addition, the setback is in violation; 12 feet in lieu of the required 15
feet. Mr. Cannistraro stated that he would take the panels down. He expressed concerned
regarding the setback violation; 12 feet in lieu of the required 15 feet. Mr. Cannistraro
said he would have to go to great expense to move the entire sign. Mr. Behr stated that
the Board could approve a setback relief if the square footage of the sign were conforming.
The total square footage will be 49% feet without the panels.
Public Hearing Opened: no comment
Public Hearing Closed.
Mr. Behr MOVED APPROVAL of Sign Variance No. 1270, Kay's Motel WITH
CONDITIONS. This is consistent with what the Zoning Board of Appeals had done on Route
9. Variances have been granted for setback relief because of the widening of the Road;
Route 9. APPROVED freestanding sign; this will conform to 50 square feet size and be
granted a 3 foot front setback variance.
Second by Mr. Turner
Passed Unanimously.
SIGN VARIANCE NO. 1273
Zayre Department Store #133
Mrs. Goetz read the application t? maintain existing freestanding pylon sign 29 feet
from the property line. The size of the sign is 5 feet by 18 feet by 35 feet. Zayre sign
is 5 feet by 18 feet, Sysco Foods sign, Oasis Gas sign, Allen's Arts and Crafts sign are
all mounted on a double pole structure. The applicant also would like to maintain an existing
wall sign 650 feet from the property line. The size of the sign is 7 feet by 32 feet by
14 feet. Individual channel letters read Zayre plus the logo. The outline area of this signage
is 168 square feet. Mrs. Goetz stated Zayre Department Store is situated on Route 9
in the known as Miller Hill in an UR-5 and HC-15 zone.
Owen Tegan, representative from Zayre Department Store stated that the ability
to market these businesses is needed by the signs. Vision is impaired due to lack of visual
advertising if signs are removed. He said the plaza layout is situated as such that the
buildings are at a 650 foot setback from Route 9. The buildings also set higher than the
road.
Mr. Tegan stated that tenants in this plaza needed be advertised on the pylon sign.
Board Members stated that a 64 square foot size is allowed at 25 feet from the property
line. Board Member stated that Allen's Arts and Crafts and Sysco could be added onto
the pylon size within the required 64 square feet. The Oasis gas sign would not be allowed
because of a denial by the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance (number 656) in January
16, 1980.
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Mr. Turner mentioned the fact that the Ponderosa Restaurant is situated directly
across the road from Zayres. Customers will be attracted to both businesses. When
customers pull out of the Ponderosa parking lot they can see the Zayre Plaza, in turn,
creating potential shoppers.
Mr. Turner stated that Allen's Arts and Crafts was granted a variance by the Zoning
Board of Appeals on June 12, 1985. Northbound travelers on Route 9 go by a bank (part
of the parking lot and entrance) which is situated directly in front of Allen's Arts and
Crafts. In the winter season, this entrance to the plaza did not have its snow removed.
The entrance remained as a high snow bank. Northbound travelers could not see Allen's
Arts and Crafts from the road.
There was much discussion on whether or not Zayres should have other businesses
listed on the pylon sign. Mr. Tegan stated that Zayres Corporation has the authority of
whether or not tenants are listed on the sign. He stated that he was trying to help everyone
in the plaza as hardship exists due to the setback of the entire plaza.
Mrs. Goetz stated that it wasn't the Boards fault that Zayre Corporation bought
a piece of property so far back. The Town of Queensbury has a Sign Ordinance and it
must be conformed to.
Color coordination of the sign was discussed.
Board Members addressed the issue of the wall sign. The sign is 168 square feet.
They felt this was a reasonable request since the building is situated so far back from
the road.
Mr. Kelley MOVED APPROVAL of Sign Variance No. 1273, Zayre Department Store
freestanding sign (pylon sign) based on the fact of some hardship. Hardship is the location
of the building being 650 feet from the highway and 29 feet from the property line. The
height of the pylon sign will be ~ feet and will be 64 square feet. Zayre lettering on
the pylon sign (freestanding sign) I wrfi be 32 square feet of the area for which business
names can be placedj by Zayres choice. This pylon sign will be a total of 96 square feet.
All parts of this sign will conform as to color.
Second by Griffin.
Passed Unanimously.
Mr. Behr MOVED APPROVAL of Sign Variance No. 1273, Zayre Department Store
wall sign. This is approval of a 168 square foot building sign as it is a reasonable request
because of the distance of the building from the road.
Second by Mr. Sicard.
Passed Unanimously.
Jane L. Burnham, owner of Allen's Arts and Crafts, stated she would like to withdraw
the Sign Variance (number 1253) application as the problem of the existing freestanding
sign has been solved by the Zayre Department Store sign variance.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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Minutes prepared by Susan Davidsen
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