HomeMy WebLinkAbout7d - CarMax #7252 Sign Standards Modification Justification
1
April 7, 2015
City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Subject: CarMax Auto Superstore – Renton, WA – Proposed Sign Standards Modification
Request for Modification
The project is requesting a modification to RMC 4‐4‐100.G.6 to allow a proposed pylon along E. Valley
Rd., at the main customer entrance, to exceed allowed sign height.
Requirement
Per RMC 4‐4‐100.G.6 the maximum allowed sign height in the CA zone and Design District D is 5 feet.
Deviation
The project is proposing a pylon sign on E. Valley Rd. with a maximum height of 40 feet, this height
exceeds the maximum height allowed within the CA zone and Design District D. A signage package
including the proposed pylon sign on E. Valley Rd. and other signs proposed as part of this project has
been included as part of the site Plan review and this modification request.
Reason for Request
A variance on the maximum sign height is requested as the taller sign will provide improved visibility for
the project from Highway 167. The proposed sign on E Valley Rd is a 40 foot tall lighted pylon sign with
300 square feet of sign face (150 square feet per face).
A photo survey was included as page 5 of the provided signage package. Photos 1, 2, 5, and 6 are images
of the proposed pylon sign from multiple angles. These photos display how the proposed signage would
be viewed within the existing skyline, including existing buildings and signage of adjacent businesses.
Criteria Compliance
The project has proposed a sign at the corner of E. Valley Rd. and SW 41st street meeting the signage
height and design requirements of the RMC 4‐4‐100.G.6. This sign provide signage at a scale that is
applicable to pedestrians or vehicles on the adjacent roadways as intended by the Renton Municipal
CarMax – Renton, WA
April 7, 2015
2
Code. The proposed sign on E Valley Rd is a 40 foot tall lighted pylon sign with 300 square feet of sign
face (150 square feet per face) and is intended to reach potential customers accessing the site via
Highway 167, located east of the project, as the signage of adjacent properties and vehicle sales
businesses do. The proposed design of the pylon sign, except for the height, and the proposed
monument sign at the corner of is intended to meet the signage design required by RMC 4‐4‐100.G.6
within Urban Design District D and the Commercial Arterial zone.
The project has proposed unique and exceptional architectural features and an enhanced 15’ landscape
buffer on E. Valley Rd., 5’ wider than the minimum required landscape buffer, to provide additional
interest and detail for vehicles and pedestrians accessing the site t from the adjacent local streets.
This modification will not be injurious nor create adverse impacts to other properties in the vicinity, as
adjacent uses are commercial and zoned industrial medium. Vehicle sales businesses north of the
property already have signs that appear to meet the maximum sign height allowance for the Industrial
Medium districts (40 feet). Allowing a 40 ft. tall sign for the proposed project will not provide the project
with an unfair advantage in comparison to the similar businesses near the project. In photo 2, located on
page X of the provided signage package, you can see how the sign would have a similar scale as the
existing pylon sign located at the NW corner of the site.