Staff NotesTown of Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
Sign Variance No.: 5-2023
Project Applicant: New Potato Creek Holding, LLC.
Project Location: 900 State Route 9
Parcel History: SP 56-2023; AV 35-2018; SP 37-2018; SP 60-2007
SEQR Type: Unlisted
Meeting Date: October 18, 2023
Applicant proposes construction of a 3,910 sq. ft. carwash facility and a 2,730 sq. ft. vacuum canopy. The project includes
accessory buildings for the mechanicals and associated equipment for the facility. The plans show a freestanding
internally lit monument sign of 41 sq. ft.; a wall sign of 19.01 sq. ft. with illuminated letters; a tunnel entrance wall sign of
19.01 sq. ft. with illuminated letters; 3 directional sign poles proposed at 6 ft. in height and 4.5 sq. ft. each; dumpster wall
sign gate panels (one 21.7 sq. ft. panel and one 18.3 sq. ft. panel); two menu boards of 26.5 sq. ft. each; and a 6 sq. ft.
entrance sign that is 3 ft. in height. Relief requested for number of wall signs and freestanding signs.
The applicant requests relief for number of wall signs and freestanding signs. The project site is on a 1.64 ac parcel in the
Commercial Intensive zone.
Section 140 Signs
Signage-The plans show a free standing internally lit monument sign of 41 sq ft. The plans show a wall sign of
19.01 sq ft with illuminated letters. Directional sign poles – proposed is 7 at 6 ft in height and 3 sq ft each
o The following signs are subject to variance –more than one wall sign: 3 additional wall signs
proposed (4 proposed total); more than one freestanding sign: 3 additional freestanding (5 proposed
total)
▪ Tunnel entrance wall sign 19.01 sq ft with illuminated letters – variance more than one wall
sign
▪ Dumpster wall sign gate panels – one panel 21.7 sq ft, one panel 18.3 sq ft – variance more
than one wall sign
▪ 2- Menu board -vinyl applied to acrylic face – each 26.5 sq ft – variance more than one free
standing sign
▪ Entrance sign – proposed at 3 ft in height at 6 sq ft. Variance more than one free standing
sign and size greater than 4 sq ft
▪ Gate arm signs –free standing sign only one proposed at a time (drawing does not show
location)
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 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 possible to reduce the
number of signs and reduce the size of the entrance sign.
Description of Proposed Project:
Relief Required:
Criteria for considering a Sign Variance according to Chapter 140 of Town Law:
Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
3. Whether the requested sign variance is substantial. The relief requested may be considered substantial
relevant to the code. The following signs are subject to variance –more than one wall sign: 3 additional wall
signs proposed (4 proposed total), more than one freestanding sign: 4 additional freestanding (5 proposed
total), entrance direction signs 2 sq ft greater than allowed.
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
impact on the environmental conditions of the district.
5. Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created. The difficulty may be considered self-created.
The applicant has received an approval for the construction of a new car wash building, a vacuum canopy
structure and mechanical structures. The project includes installation of multiple signs for the site. The plans
show the location of the signage on the building, freestanding, and the refuse area.
Staff comments: