Development Standards Review Task Force: Form Base Code Gets Called into Question, Again

What happened:?The Development Standards Review Task Force (DSRTF) tabled a variance request by Ocean Motion’s owner and DSRTF Chairman Gabriel Vanounou to install a sixteen-foot sign replacement instead of the Form Base Code’s six-foot requirement.

Vanounou sent a representative on his behalf to read a letter to the board about the request.

Why it matters:?The?purpose?of the DSRTF board is to administer/enforce the City’s Form Base Code and City Ordinance.

Currently, Vanounou has three signs on his building, and previously one sign at each end of the parking lot.?

In his letter, Vanounou described his second sign on the north end of his property getting snatched out of the base on May 25 due to a storm. According to FBC, if a non-conforming sign is damaged or destroyed, and repair costs exceed 60% of the cost of a new sign, then the existing sign cannot be reconstructed or repaired without fully complying with all requirements of the City.

Board member Alex Avalos clarified the City’s reason for limiting the height since the island is vulnerable to windstorms and flying debris. Although applauded for his excellent example to the community, Avalos noted there was no hardship for Vanounou. “This just keeps creating more of a problem within City Hall if we don’t implement the standards we set. This is an opportunity to do that.”

Jason Yetter, a local business owner who attended the meeting, spoke in defense of Gabriel Vanounou and questioned the standard. Yetter petitioned the board to go back to City Council and fix the standard they are struggling to enforce for fairness in business. “No one else plays by these rules, which is not business-friendly.” Yetter encouraged the board to reach out and take action to help the business community.

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Cindi Love commented on the dilemma by noting, at the present moment, the board’s duty is to see whether the variance conforms to the guidelines. “If it doesn’t, our real role here is to decline.”

Public Works Director Alex Sanchez discussed the City’s bus stops potentially covering up the six-foot sign on the property, causing a possible hardship. “I’m just putting the facts out there.”

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What now:?The board agreed to table the motion on the condition that Vanounou brings forward additional evidence regarding the hardship posed by the replacement of the sign.