A. Variance Authorized: The city council may grant variances from the regulations contained in this chapter:
1. To permit a setback for a sign that is up to twenty five percent (25%) less than the required setback, and
2. To permit the area or height of a sign to be increased by up to twenty five percent (25%) more than the maximum height or area allowed.
B. Approval Standards: The city council may grant a variance authorized by this section if it finds the variance requested is required by special or unique hardship because of:
1. Exceptional narrowness, shallowness, or shape of the premises on which a sign is located; or
2. Exceptional topographic conditions or physical features uniquely affecting the premises on which a sign is located.
A showing that the display of a sign would be more profitable or the sign would be more valuable is not a special or unique hardship as required by this section.
C. Additional Requirements: The city council shall grant a variance only if it also finds that the variance is consistent with the master plan and there are no other reasonable alternatives for displaying a sign permitted by this chapter if the variance is not granted. The city council shall not grant a variance solely because the display of a sign would be more profitable if the variance were granted. (Ord. 412, 10-28-2008, eff. 11-27-2008)