HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ_Variance_Request_Justification_180810_v1.pdf
17201 Beaton Rd SE - Monroe, WA 98272 - Phone: (425) 844-6415
Variance Request Justification
Southport
1133 Lake Washington Blvd. N
Renton, WA
1. The applicant suffers practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship and the variance is
necessary because of special circumstances applicable to subject property, including size,
shape, topography, and location or surroundings of the subject property, and the strict
application of the Zoning Code is found to deprive sub ject property owner of rights and
privileges enjoyed by other property owners in the vicinity and under identical zone
classification;
Following the current code would result in a sign that would look out of place in comparison to
the scope of the Southport project. Southport is one of Renton’s premier redevelopment
projects comprised of the 383 unit Bristol apartment complex, the 347 room Hyatt Regency
Lake Washington, three nine-story office buildings with over 700,000 square feet of Class A
office space, plus shops and restaurants. The scale of the sign is reflective of the 2.4 million
square feet of mixed use development. The sheer quantity of tenant names requires more
visible area on the sign. And because the sign is approximately 250’ from the main intersection,
the required text size for readability is increased significantly.
The increased sign size will also address the issue of the railway crossing obscuring the view
from the intersection.
2. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or
injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity and zone in which subject property is
situated;
The proposed monument sign matches with the scale of the surrounding landscape and PSE
electrical tower. And because of where the sign is placed, it will not affect the views of
surrounding homes and businesses. And because the overall readability of the signs is
increased, confusion and slowing down at the intersection can be reduced.
The new sign will actually be an upgrade to the existing signage. The proposed sign
incorporates sculptural metal work by noted artist Harold Balasz, whose work is prominently
featured throughout the property.
3. The approval shall not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitation
upon uses of other properties in the vicinity and zone in which the subject pr operty is situated;
17201 Beaton Rd SE - Monroe, WA 98272 - Phone: (425) 844-6415
The Southport project is a unique property in the area. The size and function of the
development warrants granting the approval, and in no way should constitute a grant of special
privilege, particularly in comparison to the surrounding properties.
4. The approval is the minimum variance that will accomplish the desired purpose.
This monument sign has been designed to inform visitors and direct traffic in the most effective
way possible. The designers have painstakingly worked to create a sign that is functional,
efficient and attractive.