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CUP No. 2012 -16 & VA No. 2012 -05 August 13, 2012 Page 5 Variance Requests Sender One is proposing to obtain two variances for its new facility: one to increase the height of the building and another to allow signage higher on a building than allowed by code. Variance requests are governed by Section 41 -638 of the SAMC. Variance requests may be granted when it can be shown that the following can be established: • That there exists a special circumstance related to the property, such as size, shape, topography, location or surroundings. • That the granting of the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights. • That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public or surrounding property. • That the granting of the variance will not adversely affect the General Plan. If these findings can be made, then it is appropriate to grant the variance. Conversely, the inability to make these findings would result in a denial. Using this information, staff has prepared the following analysis, which forms the basis for the recommendation contained in this report. Variance No. 2012 -05 (a) - Building Height SAMC Section 41 -474 states that no structure shall exceed 35 feet in height in the Light Industrial zoning district. Typical industrial buildings, including ones found on the premises, range in height from 20 to 25 feet, which is sufficient for high pile storage and related equipment associated with manufacturing operations, but not for indoor sports facilities, such as rock climbing. The very nature of the sport of rock climbing requires tall vertical structures on which to practice, simulating the challenging natural environments that these sports enthusiasts prefer. This facility, if approved, is intended to attract all levels of customers, from those just entering the sport, to the serious climber. The facilities currently located in Orange County are limited in their draw due to the relatively small height of the climbing walls, no higher than 28 feet. The industry standard for more advanced rock climbing walls is between 45 and 50 feet in height. If approved, the Sender One facility will be one of only two in the Southern California region offering this wall height, making it a regional draw for this type of facility and a unique contribution to the City's indoor sports facilities. Staff recommends approval of the variance from the maximum building height based on the following facts and findings: • The project site has a special circumstance related to its size, shape and location. The project was constructed in the early 1970's as an industrial center. The buildings in the center were low scale, were intended to accommodate industrial users, and did not anticipate alternate uses, such as indoor sports facilities. At the time that this building was constructed the City's codes did not 31A-7