venues than for traditional retail or service-based businesses, which do not require the same level <br />of frequent and targeted promotion to cultivate public interest. Static signage cannot <br />accommodate this need. <br />A Long-Term Decision About the City's Identity <br />The location of my venue in the city center—now organically evolving into an entertainment <br />corridor—also creates unique pressure. Thousands of cars pass by daily, and the sign that <br />previously occupied this marquee space stood for more than 30 years. Any decision the city <br />makes today about this sign is, in effect, shaping the city's image into the year 2035 and beyond. <br />The choice is between a vibrant, modern visual representation of Eugene as a thriving hub for <br />nationally recognized comedians—or a dated, static sign that fails to reflect the cultural growth <br />already taking place. <br />Cost as a Natural Limiting Factor <br />The cost of installing and operating a digital marquee is substantial, which in itself limits <br />frivolous or widespread use. Most businesses do not have the financial justification or necessity <br />for such signage, particularly outside of entertainment and event-based operations. This reality <br />ensures that granting this variance would not set a precedent leading to an overwhelming number <br />of similar requests. <br />In summary, Olsen Run Comedy Club faces a constellation of extraordinary circumstances: it is <br />directly across from a city-owned venue with a digital sign, surrounded by other approved digital <br />signs, operates under business conditions where such signage is functionally essential, and exists <br />in a high-traffic corridor where signage choices shape the long-term character of the city. These <br />conditions do not apply to the majority of properties within the same zoning classification and <br />warrant approval of this variance. <br />(3) The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, <br />or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity. <br />RESPONSE: <br />Granting this variance for an electronic sign at Olsen Run Comedy Club will not negatively <br />impact public health, safety, or welfare, nor will it cause harm to nearby properties or <br />improvements, for the following reasons: <br />1.Consistency with Existing Signage in the Area <br />The proposed electronic sign would be in harmony with the surrounding environment, as <br />there are already multiple venues within a half-mile radius—including the City-owned <br />Hult Center directly across the street—that utilize similar signage. The presence of <br />another electronic sign would not introduce anything new or disruptive to the character of <br />the area.