Staff Notes 5.18.22Town of Queensbury Zoning Board of Appeals
Community Development Department Staff Notes
Sign Variance No.: 3-2022
Project Applicant: Hoffman Development Corp.
Project Location: 919 State Route 9
Parcel History:SP 71-2021; PZ-DISC-0005-2021; P-SSE0008-2017; PZ-0189-2016; SP 53-2011;
SP 57-95; SP 38-90
SEQR Type: Unlisted
Meeting Date: May 18, 2022
Description of Proposed Project:
Revised -Applicant proposes a freestanding sign to be 88 sq. ft. Relief requested for freestanding sign greater
than 60 sq. ft. and setback less than 25 ft.
Relief Required:
The applicant requests relief for freestanding sign greater than 60 sq. ft. The parcel is 2.011 acres and located in
the Commercial Intensive zone.
Chapter 140- signs
The project is for an 88 sq. ft. sign where a 60 sq. ft. sign is the maximum allowed with a 25 ft. setback. The
sign is to be located 20.1 ft. from the setback where a sign greater than 60 sq ft is required to be 25 ft setback.
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
sign size.
3. Whether the requested sign variance is substantial. The relief requested may be considered minimal
relevant to the code. Relief is 28 sq ft greater than allowed and setback is 4.9 ft.
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 project is for a new sign to advertise for the Hoffman's car wash. The plans show the sign to indicate the
services offered at the site. The sign includes the words Hoffman Car Wash, Free Vacuums, and open 7 days a
week. The plans show a stone base structure to hold the sign. The applicant reduced the sign size from 138 sq ft
to 88 sq ft.