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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 25, 2016 10 Councilmember Holden was in favor of moving some of the trees to allow better sight lines for the monument sign along with having additional perennial plantings. Mayor Grant commented that a very small variance was approved for E Street Flats but noted that this was done due to the fact that the property had multiple tenants. Senior Planner Bachler added that the City also allowed flexibility in that both signs fronted County Road E. Staff noted that the second monument sign was only to be 25 square feet based on the sign code requirement and was allowed to be 51.2 square feet in size. Mayor Grant provided further comment on the monument sign location discussion that was held by the Planning Commission. He did not support this site having a larger monument sign in an effort to attract traffic from Lexington Avenue. He stated that the building was where the building was. He did not believe the Sign Code should be disregarded because of the building’s location. Councilmember McClung feared that even at the sign size requested by the applicant, the sign would not be seen from Lexington Avenue. Mayor Grant agreed. Councilmember Holmes understood that Now Bike & Fitness believed that their sign was too small. Councilmember Holden appreciated the renovations that would be put into the building. She recommended that the applicant consider a sidewalk or safe passageway connection from this property to Arden Plaza. She requested further comment from the applicant regarding the landscaping plan. Andrew Commers, Commers Property Development, appreciated the Council’s consideration. He explained that his small family-owned company has a 25 year history with this building. He was happy to be working with the City on the planned renovations for this property. He discussed the proposed landscaping noting the site was currently under parked. For this reason, additional parking was being proposed. He highlighted the plantings that would be added and noted that the property would only have one entrance to County Road E after the project was completed. He reported that he was willing to make a pedestrian connection to the neighboring property. Councilmember Wicklund did not object to the percentage of landscaping coverage. He recommended that the Council address the proper placement of the monument sign and trees in exchange for the monument sign size. Councilmember Holmes further discussed the landscape plan. She understood that the three trees to be planted by the monument sign would be new. She wanted to see more perennial plantings along County Road E versus the trees. She feared that the monument sign would be hidden by all of the trees. Mr. Commers supported the perennial beds along County Road E being expanded and enhanced.