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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MAY 13, 20139 B.Planning Case Sign Standard Adjustments 1195 County Road E Community Development Intern Bachler explained that the applicant has requested a site plan review for a Sign Standard Adjustment that would allow for a deviation from the Sign Code for the permit length and sign area of temporary wall signage at 1195 County Road E. He indicated that the property at 1195 County Road E is owned by TAT properties, represented in this case by StuartCo. The property is located in the B-2 General Business District on the north side of County Road E directly west of Lexington Avenue. The applicant is proposing to install two vinyl banners each measuring 216 square feet on the exterior walls of the property. Community Development Intern Bachler stated that on December 21, 2012, the City Council approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to remodel the existing structure at 1195 County Road E and construct 74 residential unit apartments on the site. The applicants have concerns about visibility of their advertising signs. The proposed reuse converts the building from a former hotel into residential apartment units, which is a substantial change in land use and may not be known by the average person driving by the building. Further, given the size of the building and the large building setback from Lexington Avenue, advertising signs are not easy to see. The building is setback approximately 360 feet from Lexington Avenue and 70 feet from County Road E. The proposed signs include images and text that better identify the new use of the property as a residential apartment building and provide directions on how to obtain information about the project. The applicant has provided images of the two signs. Community Development Intern Bachler indicated that one sign will be located on the east building wall facing Lexington Avenue and the second sign will be located on the south building wall facing County Road E. Each sign will measure 12 feet by 18 feet, an area of 216 square feet. The combined area of the two signs will be 432 square feet. A professional sign company will install the signs. StuartCo will maintain the signs in like new condition and repair and/or replace a sign if it is torn or deteriorates during the approved timeline. Community Development Intern Bachler commented that the applicant has asked to display the banners from the date the sign permit is issued to 30 days after the residential property receives the Certificate of Occupancy. Under the Sign Ordinance, the property is allowed to display a permitted temporary sign for no more than 30 days per calendar year. A sign advertising available space for lease in a building can be displayed until seven days after the building is leased. Community Development Intern Bachler stated Section 1260.01 of the Sign Code permits adjustments to sign height, number, type, lighting, area, and/or location through the site plan review process if criteria number 1 or 2 is met and the required criteria number 3 is met. In this case, criteria one and three are most applicable. The criteria are as follows: 1. There are site conditions which require a sign adjustment to allow the sign to be reasonably visible from a street immediately adjacent to the site; or, 2. The sign adjustment will allow a sign of exceptional design or a style that will enhance the area or that is more consistent with the architecture and design of the site; and