Staff Notes Sign Variance No.: 95-2004
Project Applicant Panera Bread
Project Location: 820 State Route 9
Meeting Date: December 15, 2004
Description of Proposed Project:
Applicant proposes to place a 58.25 sq.ff. wall sign on the east facade in addition to
the existing 84 sq.ff. wall sign on the south facade.
Relief Required:
The applicant requests relief for an additional wall sign where only one is allowed per
tenant, per§140-6(133d4b).
Parcel History (construction/site plan/variance. etc.l:
Several approvals and building permits have been issued to this property. The most
recent being a Site Plan Review for the Home Depot and associated site work within the
plaza as well as a Sign Variance to the plaza for the oversized freestanding sign at the
Route 9 entrance adjacent to the Panera location.
History specific to Panera:
SV 61-2004: denied 08/25/04, for an additional 84 sq.ff.wall sign.
• BP 2004-431: 06/10/04, 84 sq.ft,wall sign.
Staff commentr.
The applicant claims the additional wall sign on the east facade would provide its
potential costumers parked in the Home Depot parking area the ability to locate the
store without confusion or difficulty. However, it appears a clear line of sight to the
existing wall sign on the south fagade exists once access to the plaza is gained from
both of the State Route 9 entrances and from the internal drive isle along the west side
of the Traveler's Insurance building. Even though the existing sign is not visible from the
Home Depot parking area, staff wonders what percentage of plaza costumers gain
access to this parking area from the State Route 9 entrances compared with the east
internal drive isle via the Quaker Road entrance? Would utilizing on-site directional
signs or window signs (up to 25%of the window space) on the east facade eliminate
confusion or difficulty finding Panera's location within the plaza? For SV 61-2004, the
applicant requested an additional wall sign on the south facade. At that time, the
applicant had their one allowed wall sign on the east facade facing the interior of the
plaza. Staff suggested the applicant place a sign panel on one of the freestanding
signs in order to inform south and northbound traffic of their location within the plaza.
After having their request for relief denied, the applicant chose to move their one
allowed wall sign to its present location. On December 7, 2004, a site visit revealed a
"Panera" sign panel has been added to the southernmost freestanding sign. A permit
has not been issued for the sign, nor has Panera applied for a freestanding sign permit.
• L:\Bruce Frank\2004\2004 ZBA Notes\December 15\Panera Bread 15dec04.doc