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Variance No. 2004-07 November 22, 2004 Page 5 Sign No. 4 is a proposed painted wall sign on the south elevation. Variances are required to allow a 473 square foot secondary wall sign and to allow the sign to be placed higher than 20 feet on the building (Exhibit 6). Staff is supportive of the location of the wall sign since placement of the sign on the second floor will be architecturally compatible with the building. However, staff is not supporting the request for the large sign. The sign, considered a secondary sign since it is not located along the building's main elevation, is limited in size to a maximum of 50 square feet in area. Secondary signs are intended to provide secondary identification of the use and are required to be smaller than the primary sign. The primary sign is proposed on the west elevation at the restaurant entrance. Sign No. 5 is a proposed proj ecting sign on the east elevation. The projecting sign requires variances to project more than four feet from the building, to use incandescent lighting and to allow the business slogan on the sign. Staff supports the installation of a projecting sign as this type of sign was commonly used on historic buildings (Exhibit 7). Staff is supportive of the variance request to allow the sign to project five feet from the building as the projection is consistent with similar signs in the City. However, to minimize potential dangerous and adverse impacts to motorists, staff is not supportive of the request to allow the incandescent lighting and slogan on the sign. Alternately, the use of exposed neon or internal lighting as methods of illumination would be consistent with this type of signage, is permitted by the sign code and is supported by staff. The elimination of the slogan will minimize sign clutter, reduce distractions to the motoring public, enhance sign legibility and will result in a more attractive sign. Staff suggests, therefore, that the applicant revise this size accordingly. Sign No. 6 is a proposed Art Studio cabinet sign on the east elevation. This sign requires a variance to allow the installation of a cabinet sign on the building (Exhibit 8). In 1991, the City Council approved a comprehensive update to the City's Sign Code which included the prohibition of new cabinet signs. Cabinet signs, a cheaper, less attractive sign solution, were replaced with individual channel letter signs that are more architecturally compatible and aesthetically pleasing. Staff is not supportive of the cabinet sign as the installation of individual letter signs would be more compatible with the design of the structure. 31A-8