COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) -A request for a height variance for a 35 foot sign by the owners of the Best Western Motel at 630 East Chicago Street was turned down Wednesday by the Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals.
The sign would have placed within the access easement and adjacent to the East Chicago Street right of way.
Aman Hotels owns the Best Western Hotel and they were seeking a 20 foot dimensional height variance and the zoning code limits the fheight of freestanding signage to 15 feet.
City Planner Dean Walrack said in his report that the issuance of a variance in this case will grant additional height not otherwise provided to other commercial businesses in the area and that the staff believes that the granting of this variance will clearly undermine the intent of the zoning ordinance.
Attorney Nelson Carr represented the hotel owners and he said the sign was needed because it was tough to find the Best Western.
The rejection of the variance came after nearly 45 minutes of discussion.
Meanwhile, the Coldwater Z.B.A. approved two foot height variance requests from the Coach Eby Youth and Family Center and the Chicago Street Pub. The variance for the Coach Eby Center will be for a six foot high fence to enclose ground-mounted HVAC equipment.
The Chicago Street Pub wants to install a six foot privacy fence on the south side of the property for a designated smoking area in order get smoking patrons away from the front door.
