11-25-13-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 25, 2013 5 MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to award the 2014 Tree Removal Contract to Precision Land and Tree. The motion carried (5-0). 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case 13-018 Gradient Financial Site Plan Review — Sign Standard Adjustment City Planner Streff reported that this request would allow for a deviation from the Sign Code to increase the amount of wall signage on the Gradient Financial Building from sixty(60) square feet to one hundred and twenty-six (126) square feet. City Planner Streff explained that Gradient Financial has expressed concerns about the visibility of their corporate headquarters located at the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road F. The applicant has stated that the sixty (60) square feet of wall signage that is allowed by the Code for Sign District 6 is not proportionately adequate for a structure of this size and corner lot location along two main roadways. By increasing the amount of wall signage the applicant is hoping to improve the overall appearance of the building while increasing its visibility to the traveling public. City Planner Streff stated that in order to address this concern, Gradient Financial is proposing to increase the amount of permitted wall signage by sixty-six (66) square feet for a total of one hundred and twenty-six (126) square feet. At this time, the applicant is proposing one (1) wall sign that would measure approximately twenty-one (21) feet by six (6) feet, an area of one hundred and twenty-six (126) square feet. The proposed sign would be positioned on the northeast side of the building, being primarily visible by traffic traveling north on Lexington Avenue. City Planner Streff indicated that the proposed non-illuminated wall sign would be designed with reverse channel letters constructed with aluminum and painted dark bronze. Fourteen (14) individual letters, each being two (2) feet in height, forming the name "Gradient Center"would be installed and individually fastened to the exterior of the building. In addition to this lettering, a sign measuring six (6) feet wide by six (6) feet in height would create Gradient's logo and would be installed adjacent to the text for"Gradient Center". City Planner Streff reviewed the Plan Evaluation and existing signage. He explained that the Planning Commission reviewed this application at their November 6, 2013, meeting and have offered the following findings of fact for the Council's consideration: 1. The property is located in the I-1 Limited Industrial District. 2. The property is located in Sign District 6. 3. In Sign District 6, wall signage up to sixty (60) square feet and freestanding signage up to forty-five (45) square feet is permitted.