Design Review Committee approves partial variance for O'Reilly Auto Parts sign on North Main Street

The Boerne Design Review Committee voted to approve in part a request to deviate from the city's sign standards for a proposed O'Reilly Auto Parts wall sign at 1032 North Main Street, allowing an increased white sign face while denying a variance to the city's dark-sky color-temperature limit.

Planner Joanne Marie Andrade told the committee the applicant seeks three deviations: a sign face with approximately 26.2% white area where UDC standards limit white to 20%, a background that is not darker than the letters, and internal illumination at about 7,100 K where the Unified Development Code (Appendix D.A.2) permits a maximum of 2,700 K. Andrade summarized staff's review under UDC section 2-10E(4)(c) and said the request "is not in harmony with the intent of the adopted sign and dark sky standards." She also noted that literal enforcement does not appear to create an unnecessary hardship and that similar properties are subject to the same standards.

James, a representative for Southwest Texas Sign Service, said the 6,000'8,000 K range "is O'Reilly's company standard worldwide," and told the committee that a front-facing sign on the same building had been approved previously with a 7,100 K illumination and more than 20% white face. Staff confirmed the front sign had been approved but emphasized that the proposed side sign faces the public North Main Street corridor, making its visibility and potential for light trespass a different concern.

Committee members and staff discussed alternatives, including reducing the side sign's size, specifying a lower correlated color temperature (2,700 K) to meet dark-sky standards, or having the applicant change the already-installed front sign to achieve a consistent appearance. The applicant said removing or altering the front sign would be costly and was unlikely.

A committee member moved to approve the variance for the increased white area while denying the variance to Appendix D (the dark-sky correlated color temperature deviation); planner Joanne Marie Andrade seconded the motion. The committee approved the modified motion by voice vote; the chair announced the motion passed. The transcript does not record individual roll-call votes.

The committee concluded the item and adjourned the meeting.