Board of Adjustment

CITY OF KNOXVILLE July 15, 2026 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT 5:30 P.M. REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS AGENDA MEMBERS PRESENT: TARA GORDON____, LINDA HICKS____, JERRY JONES____, DEBORAH TUPPER____, & GEOFF WHEELOCK____ ITEM AGENDA: 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approve July 15, 2026 Meeting Agenda 4. Approve June 10, 2026 Meeting Minutes 5. New Business: A. Consider an application from Scott Ziller and Todd Chambers of McKay Insurance for a sign variance from Zoning Code Sections 9-17-7(C)(4) and 9-17- 10(C) to allow installation of a projecting wall sign that extends more than 24 inches from the exterior wall and over the public right of way at 106 E. Main Street 6. Comments: a. Board Members b. Staff 7. Adjourn City of Knoxville | 305 S. Third Street | Knoxville, IA 50138 | 641-828-0550 www.knoxvilleia.gov  BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES JUNE 10, 2026 The meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm by Chair Linda Hicks. On roll call the following members were present: Tara Gordon, Linda Hicks, Jerry Jones, and Deborah Tupper. Members not present: Geoff Wheelock Staff Present: Nathan Parch, Planning & Zoning Administrator Public Present: Jennifer Parks, 909 N Kent St and Katherine Hilliard, 913 N Kent St It was moved by Tara Gordon and seconded by Deborah Tupper to approve the June 10, 2026 meeting agenda. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Gordon, Hicks, Jones, Tupper; Nays: None; Absent: Wheelock. It was moved by Jerry Jones and seconded by Tara Gordon to reappoint Linda Hicks as Chair and to appoint Geoff Wheelock as Vice Chair of the Board of Adjustment for calendar year 2026. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Gordon, Hicks, Jones, Tupper; Nays: None; Absent: Wheelock. It was moved by Jerry Jones and seconded by Tara Gordon to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2026 meeting. Motion approved on voice vote: Ayes: Gordon, Hicks, Jones, Tupper; Nays: None; Absent: Wheelock. New Business: Consider an application from Katherine Hilliard for a variance from Zoning Code Section 9-4-4(D) to allow construction of a detached garage with covered porch that exceeds the maximum lot coverage for an accessory structure at 913 N Kent Street Nathan Parch summarized the applicant’s request to construct an 813 SF detached structure in her rear yard at 913 N Kent Street that includes a 2-car garage and covered side porch. In addition to the proposed garage/porch, there is an 80 SF shed located on the property that will remain. The total square footage of these structures is 896 SF (12.4%), thereby exceeding the 10% lot coverage limit by 176 square feet. Mr. Parch reviewed the site plan and noted the following in support of the application: o There is currently no garage located on the property. o The garage’s design features a large roof overhang on the north side of the structure that creates space for a covered porch for outdoor use and enjoyment. 1  BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES JUNE 10, 2026 o The covered porch contributes to the size of the detached garage structure despite it being open to the elements on three sides (no screens or glass), thereby increasing the overall area to 11.3%. The existing shed adds additional area of 1.1%. o The zoning laws will deprive the applicant of covered porch space for outdoor use based on the proposed location. o Similar covered porches attached to the front, rear, or side of a primary residential structure are not limited in size to 10% of the lot area as accessory structures are. o The rear neighbor (912 N Harlan St) has a detached garage (900 SF) and shed (120 SF) totaling 1,020 SF, encompassing 14.2% of the lot area. o As proposed, accessory structures will encompass 12.4% of the lot area versus the maximum 10% allowed. This is not a significant increase, and is in keeping with the intent of the zoning regulation. o There is adequate space to accommodate the detached garage in the rear yard evidenced by the proposed site plan. o The neighborhood includes a mix of homes with detached and attached garages, or none at all. The proposed structure will therefore be in harmony with the neighborhood. Two signed Property Owner Notices were received noting support of the requested variance. The following public comments were made: • Jennifer Parks, 909 N Kent Street (adjacent-south), asked how existing topography, trees, and drainage would be impacted by the new structure. She also asked how property lines would be located. Mr. Parch clarified that locating the south side property line would be the responsibility of Ms. Hilliard and her contractor – Fine Line Construction. Further, Mr. Parch stated that any changes to the proposed building setbacks need to be approved by staff. Motion was made by Jerry Jones to approve the request with the condition that the applicant provides an updated site plan to staff prior to issuance of the building permit. The motion was seconded by Tara Gordon. Motion approved on roll call vote: Ayes: Gordon, Hicks, Jones, Tupper; Nays: None; Absent: Wheelock. Motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm. ________________________________ _______________________________ Linda Hicks, Chair Nathan Parch, Planning & Zoning Administrator 2  BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT STAFF REPORT JULY 9, 2026 106 E. MAIN STREET – VARIANCE SUMMARY CASE NUMBER: BOA-26-007 PREPARED BY: Nathan Parch, Planning & Zoning Administrator MEETING DATE: July 15, 2026 – Board of Adjustment REQUEST: Consider application for Variance to allow a projecting sign to extend more than 24 inches from the exterior wall and over the public right of way at 106 E. Main Street PURPOSE: Install McKay Insurance Projecting Sign SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The City of Knoxville is in receipt of an Application for Appeal to the Board of Adjustment from Scott Ziller and Todd Chambers of McKay Insurance regarding 106 E. Main Street. The subject property is zoned C-4 Central Business District and is located within the block bounded by S. 1st Street (west) and S. 2nd Street (east). This area includes a collection of mostly historic, one and two-story brick buildings located on the property lines with little to no setback or onsite parking, and adjacent to the Courthouse Square. A significant building renovation is underway at the property for McKay Insurance that includes interior office space areas and updates to the exterior elevations. The applicants are requesting a new business sign as part of the exterior refresh that will project from the front (north-facing) wall of the building and extend over a portion of the adjacent sidewalk within the public right of way. This type of sign is defined in the zoning code as: PROJECTING SIGN - A sign other than a wall sign which projects from a wall or roof and is supported by a wall of a building. (See definition of Wall Sign.) The proposed projecting sign will replace three former wall signs as shown below. While a Projecting Sign is a type of sign defined in the zoning code, there are no specific standards noted for the use of this sign in the central business district other than for canopies and awnings, which are required to be 8 feet above the sidewalk. The code does not address the following: • Permit approval required for projecting sign; • Maximum number of projecting signs per frontage; • Maximum area for projecting sign; and • Maximum height for projecting sign. One could assume, then, that projecting signs – such as the one proposed for McKay Insurance - are not permitted, however there are several such signs existing in the central business district. The Grand Theater, Marion County Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank are a few examples. Given the lack of specificity in the zoning code coupled with the presence of this sign type in the central business district, staff has determined that two variances are needed for the proposed sign prior to a permit being issued. 2 REQUIRED VARIANCES: 1) Allow installation of a projecting wall sign that extends more than 24 inches from the exterior wall. Zoning Code Section 9-17-7(C)(4) Wall signs are allowed in the central business district, and technically a projecting sign is a type of wall sign based on the below definition. The definition does not specify sign placement as parallel or perpendicular to the wall. WALL SIGN: Wall signs are permitted when placed against the exterior walls of buildings and shall not extend more than twenty-four inches (24") outside of a building's wall surface. As proposed, the sign will project 47” from the exterior wall (3.92’), which exceeds 24” and necessitates a variance. 2) Allow installation of a projecting wall sign that extends over the public right of way. Zoning Code Section 9-17-10(C) As a general rule signs are not permitted on or within public rights of way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs, or other specified exceptions. One such exception is for canopies and awnings, which are only allowed pending they do not extend more than 8' from the face of a wall or building and not be less than 8' above the level of the sidewalk. As proposed, the sign will extend 47” into the public right of way given the building wall is flush with the front property line. There is no specified exception for projecting signs extending into the public right of way, therefore a variance is required. It should be noted that a wall sign may not extend above the roofline. The proposed sign will not. Additionally, a wall sign may not exceed a total sign area of 2 square feet for each linear foot of the building parallel with the main street frontage. The proposed sign area will be 50.96 square feet (3.92’x13’) based on this calculation. The total allowed sign area is 80 square feet. ANALYSIS OF REQUEST: 1) A variance from the Zoning Code shall not be granted by the board unless and until a written application for a variance is submitted demonstrating the following: a) That special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the land, structure or building involved, and which are not applicable to other lands, structures or buildings in the same district; o The main portion of the McKay Group building, 106 E. Main St., abuts the property line with no setback and is adjacent to the public right-of-way (sidewalk & street). o The C-4 Central Business District by design includes buildings located adjacent to the front property line with no setback. The subject property is located within the boundaries of said district. o Both the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan include policy supporting maintenance of the Central Business District’s traditional form when rehabbing or constructing new buildings. 3  b) That literal interpretation of the provisions of this title would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this title; o The zoning laws will deprive the applicant of a style of wall sign that projects more than 24 inches from the wall and extends over the adjacent public right of way. o Swinging signs are a permitted sign type in the central business district, however they are limited to 8 square feet in area. Such signs are installed on an arm or mast that is fastened to an adjacent wall. Current examples are found at Low Rent Housing and Atlantic and Pacific Pub. o Awnings and canopies are permitted in the central business district. Both are attached to an exterior building wall and intended to shield any wall, window, door, sidewalk or roadway from sun, rain or any other element. o Current zoning laws allow, and there is also precedent for, the projection of swinging signs, awnings, and canopies into the public right of way as long as they are a minimum of 8 feet above the sidewalk. o While the zoning code does not include specific standards for projecting signs within the central business district, there are three existing - The Grand Theater, Marion County Bank, & Wells Fargo Bank. 2) The board shall make a finding that the reasons set forth in the application justify the granting of the variance, and that the variance is the minimum variance that will make possible the reasonable use of the land, building or structure. o The proposed sign height and area are below the required standards for a wall sign. o There are currently three projecting signs within the central business district of various shape, size, and design. 3) The board shall make a finding that the granting of the variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this title, and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare. o The proposed sign will replace three existing wall signs, thereby reducing the total number of signs to one. o The proposed sign is attractive in design and function and compliments the updated building façade. o No staff concerns have been raised in response to the proposed variances. PROCESS: Notice of the public hearing appeared in the Marion County Express on July 10, 2026. Additionally, 21 surrounding property owners were notified by mail. ACTION: The Board of Adjustment may choose one of the following four actions: 1. Approve the variances as presented 2. Approve the variances with conditions 3. Deny the variances 4. Table the meeting if more information is required 4 ATTACHMENTS: 1) Proposed Sign Plans 2) Variance Application 3) Property Owner Notice 5  PROPERTY OWNER NOTICE Mailing Date: July 8, 2026 Case No: BOA-26-007 Subject Property: 106 E. Main Street (Parcel ID: 0842719100) Legal Description: ORIG BLK 5 LOT 8 & W19'7.5"OF LOT 7 Property Owner: Insurance Properties LLC Requested By: Scott Ziller and Todd Chambers, McKay Insurance The City of Knoxville is in receipt of an Application for Appeal to the Board of Adjustment from Scott Ziller and Todd Chambers of McKay Insurance regarding 106 E. Main Street. A significant building renovation is underway at the property for McKay Insurance that includes interior office space areas and updates to the exterior elevations. The applicants are requesting a new business sign as part of the exterior refresh that will project from the front (north-facing) wall of the building and extend over a portion of the adjacent sidewalk within the public right of way. Projecting Sign - A sign other than a wall sign which projects from a wall or roof and is supported by a wall of a building. (See definition of Wall Sign.) While this type of sign is defined in the zoning code, as noted above, there are not specific regulations governing its application in the central business district. Therefore, two variances are needed prior to a sign permit being issued: 1) Allow installation of a projecting wall sign that extends more than 24 inches from the exterior wall; and 2) Allow installation of a projecting wall sign that extends over the public right of way. Requests for variances are reviewed during a public hearing of the Board of Adjustment whereby notification is provided to property owners within 200 ft. of the subject property. The BOA will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Knoxville City Hall, 305 S. Third Street, to review and receive public comments pertaining to this application. Comments may be provided in person at the meeting or in advance with the form below. Please direct all comments and/or questions to: Nathan Parch, Planning & Zoning Administrator Knoxville City Hall - 305 S. Third Street, Knoxville, IA 50138 641-828-0550 nparch@knoxvilleia.gov  PROPERTY OWNER NOTICE Case No: BOA-26-007 [ ] I have no [ ] I am in favor [ ] I am opposed comment COMMENTS: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ ___________________________________ Property Owner Name (First, Last) Property Owner Mailing Address ____________________________________ __________________________________ Property Owner Signature Date