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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 8, 2013 2 Background Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler explained the property at 1195 County Road E is owned by TAT properties, represented in this case by Stuart Co. 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 Matthew Bachler stated 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 in Planning Case 12-019. 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 would better identify the new use of the property as a residential apartment building and would provide directions on how to obtain information about the project. The applicant has provided images of the two signs. Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler indicated one sign would be located on the east building wall facing Lexington Avenue and the second sign would be located on the south building wall facing County Road E. Each sign would measure 12 feet by 18 feet, an area of 216 square feet. The combined area of the two signs would be 432 square feet. A professional sign company would install the signs. Stuart Co would maintain the signs in like new condition and repair and/or replace a sign if it is torn or deteriorates during the approved timeline.Section 1250.02 of the Sign Ordinance regulates the use of temporary on-premise signs. The property fronts Lexington Avenue and therefore standards for Sign District 5 apply in this case. The Ordinance permits the property to have no more than one temporary sign not exceeding 40 square feet in area. However, because the building currently has space for lease the property is allowed one additional temporary sign not exceeding 25 square feet in area. Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler commented 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. Site Data Future Land Use Plan: Community Mixed Use Existing Land Use: Apt 4+ Units Zoning: B-2 General Business District Size: 7.65 Acres Topography: Relatively Flat Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler reviewed the surrounding area, in addition to the Plan Evaluation. 1.Site Plan Review Section 1260: Sign Standard Adjustment