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HEX Final Decision #2025-29HEX NO. 2025-29 HEARING EXAMINER DECISION DATE OF HEARING. July 10, 2025 PETITION. Petition No. SV-PL20230001017 — 15285 Collier Boulevard -Request for a variance from Land Development Code Section 5.06.04.F.4 that allows one wall, mansard, canopy or awning sign for each single -occupancy parcel, or for each unit of a multiple -occupancy parcel, within nonresidential districts, to instead allow two such signs on property located at 15285 Collier Boulevard, in the Shoppes of Pebblebrooke, in Section 27, Township 48 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. GENERAL PURPOSE FOR THE PETITION. This is a request for a Sign Variance to allow two wall, mansard, canopy, or awning signs on the subject property when Land Development Code (LDC) Sections 5.06.04.F.4 allows only one such sign for each single -occupancy parcel, or for each unit of a multiple -occupancy parcel, within nonresidential districts. STAFF RECOMMENDATION. Approval with conditions. FINDINGS. 1. The Hearing Examiner has jurisdiction over this Petitioner pursuant to Sec. 2-87(2) of the Collier County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 8.10.00 of the Land Development Code, and Chapter 9 of the County Administrative Code. 2. The public hearing for this Petition was properly noticed and conducted in accordance with all County and state requirements. 3. The public hearing was conducted electronically and in -person in accordance with Emergency/Executive Order 2020-04. 4. The public hearing was conducted in the following manner: the County Staff presented the Petition followed by the Petitioner and/or Petitioner's representative, public comment and then rebuttal by the Petitioner and/or Petitioner's representative. There were no objections at the public hearing. Page 1 of 5 5. The County's Land Development Sections 5.06.08.B. l lists the criteria for sign variances. The Hearing Examiner having the same authority as the Board of Zoning Appeals may grant, deny or modify any request for a variance from the regulations or restrictions of the Collier County Land Development Code using the following standard:' 1. That special conditions and circumstances exist that are peculiar to the land, structure, or building involved and are not applicable to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same district. The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the subject building and its drive -through are platted as part of a multiple -occupancy shopping center, the Shoppes of Pebblebrooke, yet stand alone, much like an outparcel. The building's location on the property, combined with the existing permitted exposure, rakes it difficult to see from Collier Boulevard; instead, it is situated to provide visibiliofrom ivithin the shopping center^. The applicant further° indicated that the Coum)J 's sign code, being applied to this building, is more attuned to an in -line parcel and not a standalone building. County staff concurred. 2. That literal interpretation of the sign code's provisions would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same zoning district. It would cause unnecessary and undue hardship on the applicant. The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the applicant's expert stated, "The sign code provisions deprive the applicant of any visibility from the adjacent roads. Other similar structures (Platted as Outparcels) are set back from the Collier Boulevard, and each have 2 illuminated signs large enough to be visible from the main road. Please see the marked -up site plan for reference (Exhibit A). There are three other banking institutions along Collier Blvd, and all three have monument signs on the main road for additional visibility). This provides undue hardship as this location is afforded no visibility from the main road. " County staff is of the opinion that the existing sign could have been better positioned; holvever, they also agree lvith the applicant's argument. 3. That the special conditions and circumstances which are peculiar to the land, structure, or building do not result from the actions of the applicant. The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the applicant is the lessee of the subject proper°ty� and leased an existing building. Both the building crud the development were constructed before the applicant leased the building; therefore, the site's peculiarities are not the result of actions taken by the applicant. 4. That granting the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by this sign code to other lands, structures, or buildings in the same zoning district. 1 The Hearing Examiner's findings are italicized. Page 2 of 5 The record evidence and testimony fi4onz the public hearing reflects that a Sign Variance, by definition, confers some dimensional relieffrom the zoning regulations specific to a site. LDC Section 5.06 08 alloWS others relief through the same Sign Variance process that has been undertaken by the applicant. Each Sign Variance project is reviewed individually based on its own merits. Coumy staff believes the applicant has justified their need to engage in the Sign Variance process. 5. The variance granted is the minimum relief that will make possible the reasonable use of the land, building, or structure. The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that the applicant's expert stated, "The variance will afford the applicant relief to place a second sign on the building fagade, the same is being used by all other similar structures in the development. " County staff noted that the requested sign size is by no means objectionable and concurred that a second sign will allow for the desired visibility from Collier Boulevard 6. That the granting of the variance will be consistent with the general intent and purpose of the Collier County Sign Code and the Growth Management Plan and will not be injurious to adjacent properties or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare. The record evidence and testimony from the public hearing reflects that Section 5.06.OLA. of the LDC states that the purpose and intent of the sign code is to provide minimum control of signs necessary to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Collier County, Florida, by: 1. Lessening hazards to pedestrians and vehicular tr•aff c; 2. Preserving properij; values; 3. Preventing unsightly and detrimental signs that detract from the aesthetic appeal of the county and lead to economic decline and blight. 4. Preventing signs from reaching such excessive size and numbers that they obscure one another to the detriment of the county. S Assuring good and attractive design that ivill strengthen the county's appearance and economic base. 6. Preserving the right off]ee speech and expression in the display of signs. Count3) staff finds that the srtbject Var°fiance request satisfies established criteria and is consistent with the general intent and purpose of the LDC and GMP. GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN (GMP) CONSISTENCY: The record evidence and testimony ji°om the public hearing reflects that the subject propert�� is in the Urban Mixed -Use District/Urban Residential Subdistrict and the Activity Center• Mixed Use District/Activity Center Subdistrict as identified on the Fit tur4e Land Use Map (FLUM) of the Future Land Use Element (FLUE) of the GMP. The GMP does not address individual Variance requests butfocuses on the larger issue of the actual use. The Richland PUD is consistent with the GMP. Page 3 of 5 ANALYSIS. Based on a review of the record including the Petition, application, exhibits, the Countys staff report, and hearing comments and testimony from the Petitioner and/or the Petitioner's representative(s), County staff and any given by the public, the Hearing Examiner finds that there is enough competent, substantial evidence as applied to the criteria set forth in Section 5.06.08.B.1 of the Land Development Code to approve the sign variance Petition. DECISION. The Hearing Examiner hereby APPROVES Petition No. SV-PL20230001017, filed by Jeff Gammill, representing the applicant TD Bank, N.A. and the owner Twinwood Pebblebrooke, LLC, with respect to the property described as located at 15285 Collier Boulevard, in the Shoppes of Pebblebrooke, in Section 27, Township 48 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida, for the following: • A Sign Variance from Land Development Code (LDC) Sections 5.06.04.F.4 that allows one wall, mansard, canopy, or awning sign for each single -occupancy parcel, or for each unit of a multiple -occupancy parcel, within nonresidential districts, to instead allow two such signs on the subject property. Said changes are fully described in the Zoning Map attached as Exhibit "A" and the Site and Sign Plan attached as Exhibit "B", and are subject to the condition(s) set forth below. ATTACHMENTS. Exhibit A —Zoning Map Exhibit B — Site and Sign Plan LEGAL DESCRIPTION. The subject leased parcel is located at 15285 Collier Boulevard, in the Shopper of Pebblebrooke, in Section 27, Township 48 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. CONDITIONS. • All other applicable state or federal permits must be obtained. DISCLAIMER. Pursuant to Section 125.022(5) F.S., issuance of a development permit by a county does not in any way create any rights on the part of the applicant to obtain a permit fi•om a state or federal agency and does not create any liability on the part of the county for issuance of the permit if the applicant fails to obtain requisite approvals or fulfill the obligations imposed by a state or federal agency or undertakes actions that result in a violation of state or federal law. Page 4 of 5 APPEALS. This decision becomes effective on the date it is rendered. An appeal of this decision shall be done in accordance with applicable ordinances, codes and law. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AND EXHIBITS: SEE CLERK OF COURT, MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT, DECISIONS OF THE HEARING EXAMINER FOR VARIANCES, CONDITIONAL USES, AND BOAT DOCK EXTENSIONS SHALL BE NOTED ON THE ZONING MAP FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES, August 7, 2025 Date Page 5 of 5 Andrew Dickman, Esq., AICP Hearing Examiner J 11;Wk (It r� fit? �i i PRQJECT LQCATIQN Location Map Petition Number: PL20230001017 Zoning Map SV-PL20230001017 — 15285 Collier Blvd / TD Bank June 19, 2025 Page 2 of 8 Q O m L6 N 00 I O `o� S d i§c$$ �5Y �9a=Fn��A OQOO�00 L N LL 'vN D y D 4Ci ry Q Tim^ ry y N � oQ etl N Z c m o IZJ N S Y N N r 0 O P d m �} V y � m CO CN N z ZI # N � U v1v v Q c m j \ § § B \ \ � B\ ► \ ) m \ : \/j\\ /\ §o,r ,In {)} k;,|| b Sin r, 3#!!3!! # )e\ �+2 !�! §� §2)� Lu j\\5c §Ifm gRGGG)G ke§§a0 �\ �(]a! ! §2U; eeez \kk un, ■ � � � � \ \ \ / M 00 N n N ry O a 0 Z 3 LL O 0 0 Z C7 LL O O a Z J Q 09£ o O n V � M m 0 c E O � W � E co a c d E 0 c o) L) L O a) 7 O_) J c - 0 f 0 E O c t d � CD o� E mLL(L O o a3 z m m N E to co E c d d 3 ,u in o m(D mo 4 F(D F 12 M d o 0 O ca d Z) o mc 12 v c w> p 0 M CO CL = a a a c m Q oto o yU •o0 3 o E 0 3 o a °' � ad fn O Z.Vm.. `�O m .0 �) N N y 7 O o u a) ci a c CO v o 0 a c a~ LL U p U 2 Q m E m W N •E O C CM d) j U E a) vi € a 'E c d m (D a3 ut E U o_= E a) O O [L L m� my 33LL n.rn > o_'c in d �U �Na33y I �tjCL 3 0 %v C 0) C M c U a 5 0 U U U U Chi m m a) U 0 N °U' o 00 d) m > O a c M m F° m m E E o m Z o o c m �Nro pU o P m °� c� o 1S (n ' m w 0) m y(Uv m aO t X rn m Z� � LL� Q� J U7 U a (D c o o co c c 3% x o LL �k It C; CD � COL � � O � N M � CV M V N (D 1� CD 0)'- cp �a 00 W J p o a) r U M p^ > O m a� a — E a 3 `g m O fOD N S CO � Q o U o 0 N N to d _ c U a) 0) Q V W V .0 ?soa Z_ �_ > mooW r 3 MQ (L)) d �(Oc oc�wa�m a —�Oj •O (o a O.O CD p w qaZ W'amUU.n a�i m m Z O N Z W c G O U O n.0 6m 0 aa)i �'_ as a WO m=xd'�O mL Z? 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