05-08-13 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 8, 2013 6 Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler stated the Sign Ordinance permits one temporary freestanding sign not exceeding 22.5 square feet in area on the portion of the property fronting Highway 96. Temporary freestanding signs are not permitted on the remainder of the site. The applicant has proposed to display the signs for the duration of the demolition and remediation project on the TCAAP site. Under the Sign Ordinance, the property is allowed to display a permitted temporary sign for no more than 30 days per calendar year. Site Data Future Land Use Plan: Mixed Business; Park Preserve Existing Land Use: Vacant; Parks and Open Space Zoning: M-B Mixed Business; R-1 Single Family Residential Size: 427 acres Topography: Rolling Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler reviewed the surrounding area and the plan evaluation. Plan Evaluation 1. Site Plan Review Section 1260: Sign Standard Adjustment Community Development Intern Matthew 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 1 and 3 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 3. The sign adjustment will not result in a sign that is inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the property is located or the current land use. Staff explained that site conditions on the TCAAP property justify a sign adjustment to allow the sign in Sign District 6 to be reasonably visible from the roadway adjacent to the site. This proposed sign would be located on Highway 96, which carries higher speed traffic and where there is a significant distance between vehicles and the property. Given that the signs are designed to provide the public with information about the project, an adjustment to the permitted sign area that would allow this sign to be clearly visible from Highway 96 is warranted. Additionally, an adjustment to the Sign District 9 regulations that prohibit any freestanding signs should be granted. The TCAAP property covers a total of 427 acres of land. Under the Sign Ordinance, Ramsey County would only be able to place signage about the TCAAP project at the southern end of the site on Highway 96. In order for the County to effectively inform a greater percentage of the public about the work being done on the TCAAP site, signs will need to be located at additional sites on the property. It is a benefit to the public for the County to be able to inform interested people about the activities on the TCAAP site; therefore, an adjustment to the Sign