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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 5, 20133 Community Development Intern Bachler reviewed the surrounding area and the Plan Evaluation in detail. 1. Chapter 12 Sign Code: Section 1240.02 Permitted Sign Type, Area, Height, and Illumination by Sign District Sign District 4 1201 County Road E Freestanding Signage County Rd E Frontage PUD Amendment Sign Type (Permitted) (Proposed) FREESTANDING Type Monument Monument Max Area (Sign 1) 50 SF 51.2 SF Max Area (Sign 2) 25 SF 44.8 SF Max Height 10 FT 10 FT Lighting E/I/B Internal (a) E = external, I = internal, B = backlit Community Development Intern Bachler stated the property at 1201 County Road E is located in Sign District 4. For properties not included in a Planned Unit Development, 50 square feet of freestanding signage is permitted in this District. Since the site fronts two public streets (Lexington Avenue and County Road E), the property owner is allowed an additional freestanding sign not to exceed 25 square feet. Freestanding signs are not permitted to exceed 10 feet in height. Community Development Intern Bachler indicated the Sign Code includes specific design standards for freestanding signs in this District. Only freestanding monument signs are permitted and the signs must be designed so that the sign copy is supported by a solid base of brick or rock- faced block in a color similar or complimentary to the main structure on the site. Materials used for the sign base are required to extend at least one-half way up the sides of the sign face. Community Development Intern Bachler explained that between the two monument signs, a total of 96 square feet of sign copy area is proposed. The E Street Shoppes sign exceeds the allowed area by 1.2 feet while the E Street Flats sign exceeds the allowed area by 19.8 square feet. The proposed additional sign area for the E Street Flats building is reasonable in this case because there are two distinct land uses on the property each requiring sufficient signage to advertise and provide directions. It was noted the applicant is requesting to place both monument signs on County Road E. This deviates from the Sign Code, which requires a permitted second freestanding sign to be placed on the other public street that the building fronts. Since the building is setback approximately 360 feet from Lexington Avenue and there is no driveway access to the property off this street, it is reasonable to have both signs located on County Road E where the primary entrances are. Community Development Intern Bachler explained the stone base material does not extend one- half way up the sides of the proposed monument signs. The applicant has indicated that incorporating the base material along the sides of the E Street Shoppes sign would make it difficult to replace the individual tenant panels on the sign. Although this design constraint does