Agenda - Council - 10/14/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Answer: The need for the variance comes from the physical location of this property and the location of the pre-existing placement of the two other off -premises digital billboards. This area — the eastern portion of the off -premise digital billboard overlay district along Highway 10 is the last remaining area feasible for the code contemplated third digital billboard. Due to the placement of the existing, previously approved off -premises digital billboards, achieving the 2 mile spacing is mathematically impossible. The 2 mile spacing puts the next allowable sign outside of the city's boundary to the east. This creates a unique hardship and the application would otherwise be fully compliant if it were not for this slight spacing shortfall. Any other location to the east would also need a variance for spacing. These circumstances were brought about by the city defined spacing intervals combined with the previous placement of the two previously approved digital off -premises signs, which is not the result of any action or decision by the applicant or landowner. The variance. if granted will not alter the essential character of the locality Answer: The proposed sign is located within the designated off -premise digital billboard overlay district and is compliant with all other requirements of the ordinance with exception of the spacing variance. The code permits up to three of these signs — two of which have already been constructed. The variance would allow the third and final sign as contemplated by the ordinance, and fulfill the city's original vision of having 3 signs distributed along Highway 10. The original intention was 1 sign on the west end, 1 sign in the middle, and 1 sign on the east end. This fulfills that vision. The sign's design and placement are consistent with existing permitted signs and will be located along a major commercial corridor, where such signs are expected and appropriate. The variance does not introduce a new or unexpected intensity of use into the area. It simply allows for the completion of the originally intended sign plan. The character will remain consistent and the visual and functional impact of the sign is aligned with the city's intended land use in this area. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties Answer: While there is an economic component to the development and use of any billboard, the variance request is not based on financial considerations. The practical difficulty stems from the limitations created by the existing placement of the other two permitted billboards and the fixed length of the Highway 10 corridor within city limits. The applicant is not seeking to exceed the number of signs allowed or alter intent of the ordinance. The variance is necessary to fulfill the city's plan for 3 evenly spaced digital billboards along highway 10. Without the slight reduction in the required spacing, the third and final sign cannot be