Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

VA-99-07-015 — New Life Church of God

Request: "For Variances in R-1A zone as follows: 1. erect pole sign in residential district in lieu of ground sign; 2. allow 72 sq. ft. of copy area in lieu of 32 sq. ft."

Decision: Denied

Hearing: Applicant proposes to replace a code compliant 32 square foot ground sign with a 15 foot high pole sign with 72 square feet of copy area. The sign is located on, and identifies the existing church on the property. The property fronts Alafaya Trail, approximately one (1) mile north of East Colonial Drive. The Alafaya Drive corridor is void of poles signs outside the commercial intersections at Colonial Drive and University Boulevard. Staff recommended denial of the request. The applicant's representative spoke of the traffic and speed of travel on Alafaya Trail. Indicating that the sign was not clearly visible due to the average rate of speed on Alafaya Trail. The Board rejected the request, in part because it would grant a special privilege to this property, and would set a precedent wherein all development on Alafaya Trail could make the same claim.