§ 19.1-16. Variances.

Variances shall be limited to the minimum relief necessary to overcome the hardship. No variance shall be granted to allow a greater number of signs than would be allowed if the hardship did not exist. Variance applications shall be submitted to the board of zoning appeals and shall be heard under the same time frames and rules governing appeals under this article. The recommendation of the board of zoning appeals shall be referred to city council and shall be heard under the same time frame and rules governing appeals under this article. A variance from compliance with the sign regulations of this article shall be limited to the following hardship situations:

(a)

Standards.

(1)

Where visibility of a conforming sign from the public street and within fifty (50) feet of the proposed sign would be substantially impaired by existing trees, plants, natural features, signs, existing buildings or structures on a different lot; and

(2)

Placement of the sign elsewhere on the lot would not remedy the visual obstruction; and such visibility obstruction was not created by the owner of the subject property; and the variance proposed would not create a safety hazard to traffic.

(Ord. No. 09-06A, § 16, 5-28-09)