BACKGROUND: The subject site is approximately 21.0 acres in size, zoned R-3 Single Family Residence District and currently occupied by St. Teresa High School. While this high school is a permitted use in the R-3 District, only one freestanding sign including electronic message unit sign is allowed per street frontage.
Per the current Zoning Ordinance, except for the B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District in which only one freestanding sign is allowed, up to three freestanding signs per street frontage in all other Business and Industrial zoning districts could be permitted on a subject property depending on the linear street frontage, e.g. B-2 Commercial District. Specifically, in those other districts, only one (1) freestanding sign is typically allowed; however, properties that have 500 feet of linear frontage or more are permitted two (2) freestanding signs and properties with 800 feet of linear frontage or more are permitted three (3) freestanding signs.
The petitioner proposes the current R-3 Single Family Residence District zoning of the subject site be changed to B-2 Commercial District with a CUP in order to allow for a School: public, parochial or private. The school’s primary intent is to add an additional electronic message unit sign to their campus along North Water Street which has approximately 1,300 feet of linear street frontage. There are no plans for school expansion in the immediate future. Details of the proposed electronic message unit sign are not required presently and thus have not been provided. If this request for rezoning with a C.U.P. is approved, details of the new signs must be provided with any of the sign permit applications. Future expansion of the school, if proposed in the future, will be subject to pertinent B-2 regulations.
For further details, please refer to the attached Plan Commission staff report.