Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
10/27/2009
Agenda Report # 438
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: John P. Thayer YMCA, Marquis Sign Variance/Encroachment
INITIATED BY: Engineering
Recommendation: A Resolution is attached for Council consideration for a
variance to the City Code Section 4.2.22 Encroachments into Public
Rights-of-way to allow the new YMCA to attach a Marquis sign into the Broadway
right-of-way beyond the maximum encroachment of five feet to allow a permanent
encroachment of 6 feet 6 inches.
Background: The new John P. Thayer YMCA being constructed at 1327 - 1st Avenue
includes four YMCA signs one that is a marquis sign projected off the building
face of Broadway. The marquis sign projects from the building face a distance
of six feet five and one half inches and viewed at 90 degrees to the building
face. This sign exceeds the maximum allowed encroachment of five feet into the
right-of-way as allowed by City Code Section 4.2.22.
Analysis: Andras Allen Starr Architects submitted an application to the Uptown
Facade Board receiving a Certificate of Appropriateness dated July 20, 2009 for
four primary signs and landscaping. A review by the Engineering Department
identified that the proposed YMCA marquis sign does not meet the City Code
Section 4.2.22 and therefore, could not approve this encroachment into the
Broadway right-of-way. The proposed YMCA sign is also designed to be mounted
90 degrees to the building face instead of parallel to it. An inspection of
all other business signs and marquis along Broadway found only two other
sign/marquis encroachments. The first is for the Country's BBQ restaurant
located directly across the street. The Country's marquis is part of the
historic construction of that building being modified for the restaurant name.
The second sign/marquis encroachment is the Bradley Theater, which again is
part of the historic structure. All other business names are mounted to the
building face parallel to the building and street.
The Engineering Department voices concerns that the position of the marquis
sign to be viewed 90 degrees to the building face does not conform to the
normal position of the building names that are parallel to the building face
and street. This building does not possess any historical architectural
features to justify the need for a variance and/or encroachment into the
right-of-way. An approval of this marquis may also create a precedent for
future request by other businesses along Broadway and adjacent streets. It
also must be noted to Council that the City had to provide a permanent
encroachment resolution due to the face of the building being constructed onto
Broadway right-of-way.
Financial Considerations: There are no financial costs to the City for the
installation. Should Council approve the encroachment, there is a provision
that the owner shall remove the encroachment at no cost to the City should the
encroachment conflict with any future public improvements.
Legal Considerations: For this marquis sign to be constructed as proposed, a
permanent encroachment resolution needs to be approved by Council.
Recommendations/ Actions: A Resolution is attached for Council consideration
for a variance to the City Code Section 4.2.22 Encroachments into Public
Rights-of-way.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A VARIANCE TO CITY CODE SECTION 4.2.22 ENCROACHMENTS
INTO PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY TO ALLOW A PERMANENT ENCROACHMENT INTO THE BROADWAY
RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR A YMCA MARQUIS SIGN PROJECTING OFF THE BUILDING FACE A
DISTANCE OF SIX FEET SIX INCHES FOR THE JOHN P. THAYER YMCA BUILDING LOCATED AT
1237 - 1ST AVENUE.
WHEREAS, the John P. Thayer YMCA was designed to include a YMCA marquis sign
projected off Broadway side of the building; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed YMCA marquis sign will project six feet five and one half
inches off the building face in direct violation of City Code Section 4.2.22;
and,
WHEREAS, a Certificate of Appropriateness was approved by the Uptown Facade
Board; and,
WHEREAS, the YMCA agrees to remove the marquis sign projecting into the
Broadway right-of-way at no cost to the City should the sign conflict with any
public improvements/uses in the future. The marquis sign shall be removed
within 30 days of receipt of written notice from the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That a Variance To City Code Section 4.2.22 Encroachments into Public
Rights-of-Way is hereby authorized to allow a permanent Encroachment into the
Broadway Right-of Way for a YMCA Marquis Sign Projecting off the Building Face
a Distance of Six Feet Six Inches for the John P. Thayer YMCA Building located
at 1237 1st Avenue to include conditions described here within.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2009 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Hunter voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments