2606 WETMORE AVE 2016-01-01 MF Import

4. EMC 19.22.020.F establishes the maximum sign area as 40 square feet. With the fteestanding sign and the lwo proposed wall signs, the square footage would exceed this amount. (testimony of Mr. Ingals6e) 5. The subject property is zoned B-3, Central Business District. The banking use has been in place since the mid 1980's. The properties surrounding the subject property are zoned B-3, Central eusiness, and, are developed with streets, alleys and office buildings. (exhibit 1, staff reporf; testimony of Mr. ingalsbe) 6. According to the Applicant, the variance for the exis6ng sign to remain in place is sought in order to allow the commercial business located on the subject property to have"the opportunity to operate to its zoned potenGal". The Applicant submitted that the properties surrounding the subject property have a similar zoning designation and would benefit from a fully functioning business at the subject property. The Applicant submitted that"a business that is aliowed to maximize its zoned potential at this site will draw additional patrons to the area that will have an opportunity to view, and possibly visit, the adjacent retail uses. The added traffic to the area will be a no-load means of potential new business for the other businesses in this area" (exhibit 3, page ?, nanative) 7. The existing freestanding sign was in existence in 1990 when the City of Everett amended its sign code. Part of the amendments prohibited signs on the City right-of-way and required signs regulated under Category C of EMC 19.36.170.0 to have a setback of at least one foot for every foot in height. The sign standard also requires that the existing freestanding sign cannot exceed 15 feet in height. The existing freestanding sign did not meet these standards and as a result was considered to be nonconforming. The nonconfortnity was increased i•i 2007 when EMC 19.22.020.F was approved by the Everett City Council. i hat ordinance prohibited freestanding signs or backlit signs on a sheet five square feet or greater in a B-3, Central Business District zone. (exhibit 1, sta/f report, page 1; festimony of Mr. Ingalsbe) 8. The existing freestanding sign is 16 feet in height and approximately 30 square feet in area. According to the City, it projects into the City right-of-way approximately three feet. No specific survey data was submitted with regarcJ to the projection into the City right-of-way. (exhibit 1, staff report, page 1; testimony of Mr. Ingalsbe) 9, The requested variance would allow the existing nonconforming sign to remain, even though new wall signs are proposed. The variance would not be detrimental to the properties in the area or to the Ciry as a whole. The freestanding sign has existed for over 20 years and provides surne direclion as to the bank's location. The new wall signs, when installed, would bo on the building and would not create an overvvhelming signage presence on the lot. Because oi the significant setbacks of the buildin�l from both streets, the proposed signs 3