Disposition Summary

Approve the request for an additional detached sign in the C-H-1 (Highway Commercial) district because the proposal meets the criteria in Article 13.9.F.5.e (Signs Permitted in Specific Districts) of the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance.

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Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of the request for an additional detached sign in the C-H-1 (Highway Commercial) district because the proposal meets the criteria in Article 13.9.F.5.e (Signs Permitted in Specific Districts) of the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance.

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The subject parcel (8029 Kingston Pike, Parcel ID 120IA00301) is an 11-acre commercial property that accommodates an L-shaped strip mall containing several retail businesses and a commercial bank in a standalone one-story structure that was recently constructed. The strip mall is built along the rear and interior side of the parcel, and the subject structure is on the front along Kingston Pike. The parcel includes a column sign along its Kingston Pike frontage and monument sign along the frontage of N Winston Rd (see Exhibit B), in conformance with the maximum allowance of one sign per street frontage (Article 13.9.F.2.a). Both existing signs include signage for the retail businesses of the main commercial strip mall building. The applicant is requesting a third detached sign for the new bank. It is noteworthy that the bank replaces an old structure that also utilized a third sign for its tenant at the same location as the proposed sign (see Exhibit B). If approved, the parcel would include the same number of signs that was allowed previously.

RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATION
Article 13.9.F.5.e of the zoning ordinance states that the Planning Commission may approve additional signs in the C-H zones (among others) if scaled drawings indicate the signs will not detract from the character of the development or surrounding development and clearly shows that because of unusual topography, building locations and relationships or developments with multiple structures, additional signs are essential to inform and direct the public.

1. The commercial corridor along Kingston Pike has numerous detached signs along the right-of-way (Exhibit C), with a few parcels having more detached signs than what is allowed by their frontage. As mentioned above, the subject parcel previously accommodated a third sign at the same location. An additional sign for the subject property would be consistent with the character of the surrounding area.
2. The development includes multiple structures, and the subject 'outparcel' structure is located approximately 250 ft away from the nearest point of the main commercial building. The subject structure is also located away from the three entrances of the parcel. A third sign is needed because of the location of the building with respect to the main structure, entrance driveways, and the two existing detached signs.
3. The subject property is wider than other properties fronting on Kingston Pike in this area, so the additional sign is more reflective of the development pattern in the area as most buildings are the only primary structure on a smaller lot.

With the above-mentioned points, the property meets the criteria mentioned in the zoning ordinance for an additional sign in the C-H-1 district.