APPLICATION NUMBER
5345
A REQUEST FOR
SIGN VARIANCE TO ALLOW TWO WALL SIGNS (465
SQUARE FEET AND 1,095 SQUARE FEET) IN EXCESS OF
350 SQUARE FEET; WALL SIGNS ARE LIMITED TO 30
PERCENT OF THE WALL SPACE UP TO A MAXIMUM
OF 350 SQUARE FEET
LOCATED AT
100 DUNLAP DRIVE, BUILDING B
(West side of Dunlap Drive, 450’+ West of U. S. Highway 90 at the entrance to the
Bankhead Tunnel)
APPLICANT/OWNER
AUSTAL, USA
AGENT
ADVANTAGE SIGN COMPANY
BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT
FEBRUARY 2006
ANALYSIS APPLICATION 5345
Date: February 6, 2006
The applicant is requesting a Sign Variance to allow two wall signs (465 square feet and
1,095 square feet) in excess of 350 square feet; wall signs are limited to 30 percent of the
wall space up to a maximum of 350 square feet.
The applicant proposes two wall signs that exceed the maximum area requirements for
wall signs. The applicant states that the Sign Regulations allow a maximum of 30% of
the wall area up to 350 square feet. The applicant states that the building wall upon
which the wall signs are proposed is 35,000 square feet. The applicant states that the 350
square foot maximum represents a 1 percent coverage on the wall. The applicant goes on
to state that the location of the fabrication building in relationship to the interstate and the
river necessitates signs on the West and East walls and that the 465 square feet and 1,095
square feet signs represent 2 percent and 3.5 percent wall coverage, respectively. The
applicant states that this is well within the parameters of the Sign Regulations and could
be considered a hardship due to the size of the structure and its placement along the river
and interstate.
Variances are not intended to be granted frequently. The applicant must clearly show the
Board that the request is due to very unusual characteristics of the property and that it
satisfies the variance standards. What constitutes unnecessary hardship and substantial
justice is a matter to be determined from the facts and circumstances of each application.
The Zoning Ordinance states that no variance shall be granted where economics are the
basis for the application. Additionally, no variance shall be granted unless the Board is
presented with sufficient evidence to find that the variance will not be contrary to the
public interest, and that special conditions exist such that a literal enforcement of the
Ordinance will result in an unnecessary hardship. The Ordinance also states that a
variance should not be approved unless the spirit and intent of the Ordinance is observed,
and substantial justice done to the applicant and the surrounding neighborhood.
The information provided regarding the size and use of the structure, as well as the
building’s proximity to the interstate and Mobile River may indicate that a literal
application of the Sign Regulations could result in an unnecessary hardship to the
property. Furthermore, as the proposed signs would occupy less than 5 percent of the
area of the walls upon which they would be placed, there may be special conditions
associated with the site that would justify the granting of a variance.
RECOMMENDATION 5345
Date: February 6, 2006
Based upon the preceding, this application is recommended for approval.