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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MAY 26, 2015 7 <br /> <br />Michael Cronin, representative of Holiday Stationstore, reported that the timer was a clock that <br />calculated the sunrise and sunset on a daily basis. The timer would then automatically th row the <br />switch on a daily basis to a prescribed nighttime level. He provided the Council with a visual of <br />the switch. He noted that Holiday currently uses these timers on each of its pricing signs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes questioned why Mr. Cronin referred to the City of Bloomington’s Sign <br />Code. <br /> <br />Mr. Cronin noted that he was a resident of Bloomington and believed that Bloomington had a <br />forward-thinking Sign Code. It was his opinion that the proposed nit levels within the code were <br />reasonable and he commented that the dimmer would assist in addressing the concerns from <br />adjacent residents. <br /> <br />MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Woodburn seconded a <br />motion to deny Planning Case 15-008 for a PUD Amendment at 1920 West <br />Highway 96, based on the submitted plans and the 18 Findings of Fact from <br />the May 6, 2015 Staff Report to the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant believed that the Planning Commission’s recommendation did not ring true, that <br />the proposed tubing around the blue lighting would assist in diffusing the light. He was in favor <br />of the motion to deny on the grounds that the nuisance and visual effect from the blue LED <br />lighting was beyond what the City should entertain. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woodburn stated that the Holiday Stationstore lighting was concealed from the <br />adjacent neighborhoods during the summer months. However, the lighting would be very visible <br />when the leaves were off all deciduous trees. He believed that glare was an issue and was <br />subjective. He discussed how the eye views lighting logarithmically. He was disturbed by the <br />similar lighting being used by Burger King and Menards. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented that Holiday was using the blue lighting as a visual marker for passing <br />traffic. He questioned if this long-distance visual impact should become a burden on Arden Hills’ <br />residents. He expressed concern with the sharp contrast the blue lighting had in the evening <br />hours. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes wanted to see the Council support its local businesses. She understood <br />that LED lighting was a new technology and would be properly controlled through the proposed <br />dimmer and timer. She believed that the Council would be doing a disservice to a local business <br />by not allowing the additional lighting. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden indicated that the Planning Commission dismissed staff’s <br />recommendation and supported the additional lighting. She was in favor of the Council reviewing <br />the City’s Sign Code further to find out what lighting levels would be acceptable. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung commented that he was in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday <br />night. He believed that the dimmed Holiday lights still stood out rather prominently. He feared <br />how adjacent Arden Hills residents would be impacted if additional blue LED lighting were