17.80.050 Variances and administrative waivers.
A. Variances. A variance may be requested from any requirement in this chapter, with the exception of the requirements described in subsection B of this section, Administrative Waiver – Design Restrictions. The variance shall be processed as a Type III application, and the variance criteria described in the zoning code (GHMC 17.66.030) shall not be used to determine whether a variance may be granted. A variance may be approved if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
1. The granting of the variance would not be materially detrimental to the property owners in the vicinity and the variance sought is of minimum sign size, height, and scope to meet the conditions and needs of the applicant; and
2. The granting of the variance would not be contrary to the objectives of this chapter; and
3. The signage of the property in question cannot be adequately met under the literal interpretation and strict application of the chapter; and
4. The granting of the variance is necessary because of special circumstances relating to property location, topography, shape and size, site distance and limited view to property.
B. Administrative Waiver – Design Restrictions. Restrictions pertaining to the location of a sign within architectural features of a building or to color of illumination as required in GHMC 17.80.090(B)(2) and 17.80.100(A) and (C)(2) shall be observed unless a waiver is granted by the director. Waivers may be granted by the director upon a clear demonstration that all of the following conditions apply:
1. The proposed sign design is consistent with the city’s design manual;
2. The building for which the waiver is requested lacks usable wall and/or fascia space common to newer buildings;
3. If colored illumination other than white or ivory is desired in Area 2, the proposed sign is not visible from residential property within 200 feet of the parcel the sign is located on;
4. All reasonable alternative locations for signage have been explored by the applicant. (Ord. 1427 § 3, 2019).