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Variance No. 2006-14 December 11, 2006 Page 3 At the November 27, 2006 Planning Commission public hearing, several issues were raised that resulted in the Planning Commission continuing the item. Specifically, the Commission requested additional information regarding ways to install the sign while minimizing damage to the building, the potential of the applicant removing existing signage, the appropriateness of the signage on the elevation, and clarification on the status of the billboards on top of the restaurant. First, staff had discussions with two of the larger sign companies regarding the installation of signage on brick buildings. Both indicated that holes in brick that were caused by signage can be repaired to a level that is almost unnoticeable. They stated that sign companies subcontract brick repair work to masonry contractors, who have the expertise in repairing brick. As the proposed sign will be at least 15 feet above pedestrian level, the eventual repair of the brick will not be noticeable. Second, the applicant took into consideration the comment by the Planning Commission regarding the amount of signage on the building. He has indicated a desire to minimize the potential of visual blight on the building by removing two existing signs. The applicant has agreed to remove two signs: the cabinet sign on the east elevation for the "Artist Studios" and the "Original Mike's" painted wall sign on the west elevation. To formalize this request, the applicant has submitted a letter relinquishing the rights conferred under Variance No. 2004-07 (E) for the cabinet sign and (F) for the painted wall sign. Third, staff analyzed the north building fagade in an effort to determine the appropriate level of signage for this elevation. Since the City's sign code generally limits signage to one sign per building elevation, several factors can be considered. First, the length of the elevation (105 feet) is sufficient in size to accommodate multiple signs. Variances have been approved in the past when it was determined that the length of the elevation was sufficient to accommodate additional signage without contributing to visual clutter, including the Target store on West Seventeenth Street and the Albertson's market on South Bristol Street. Second, the overall square footage of the elevation is sufficient to accommodate more than one sign. The north elevation is approximately 3,600 square feet in size, while the existing marquee sign is only 104 square feet. Given the large wall area, an additional sign that is approximately 50 square feet in size would not be considered a proliferation of signs. Finally, the elevation has two distinct facades, one at the northeast corner of the building with a 31 A-4