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Council grants sign-variance for 702 South Clark after applicant cites permit lapse
Summary
Council approved a variance allowing painted signage at 702 South Clark. Applicant Holly Hopman said she had pulled construction permits but missed a separate sign permit and had spent about $7,000 on professionally painted signs; staff noted one north-façade sign measured about 107 square feet where 60 is allowed.
Rockwell City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 2 to grant a sign-variance request for 702 South Clark Street, allowing alternative sign materials and, in effect, accepting painted signage that did not conform to the city’s prescriptive sign code.
City staff explained that one north-facing sign is approximately 107 square feet while the code allows 60 square feet for that façade and that the signs were painted directly on the building rather than installed under a sign permit. "That's what we call the sign ... it's actually about 107 square feet, and what would be allowed on that parcel would be 60," staff told the council, noting the difference in measurement methodology (the measured rectangle around the depiction vs. lettering size).
Applicant Holly Hopman told the council she had pulled the construction permit for the building remodel but did not realize she needed a separate sign permit, describing a long renovation process and about $7,000 spent on the painted work: "I discovered I needed to pull that sign permit ... and I think it just kind of got mixed. It had been sort of like a year and a half long process," she said.
Council members discussed permit enforcement and precedent. Councilmember Lewis said he is strict about permitting because he works in construction but would make an exception in this case; he seconded the motion to approve the variance and the council then voted to approve the request unanimously of those present.
The variance approval allows the existing painted signage to remain and resolves the applicant’s request to legalize the sign materials and the slightly oversized north façade sign; the owner will continue to be subject to any other code conditions the council included on approval.
