11-02-1988 PTRC Agenda-Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Planning Commission Meeting, November 2, 1988 Page 2 CASE #88-31 (Cont'd) There was no response and Chairman Curtis closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. • Zehm moved, seconded by Martin, that Commission recommend to Council approval of Case #88-31, Special Use Permit to allow installation and operation of two miscellaneous towers (receiving dish antennae over 30 inches in diameter) at 1201 West County Road E, McGuires Inn, as presently located on the site. Member Malone questioned why the motion excluded screening of the antennae. Zehm stated the antennae were barely visible when she viewed the site and it was her opinion screening was not necessary. Motion carried. (Zehm, Martin, Curtis, Piotrowski, and Meury voting in favor; Malone opposed) (5-1) CASE #88-34; VAR. Planner Bergly reviewed his report dated 11-2-88, relative SIGN SETBACK & to the application for a Variance from sign setback and LENGTH, AMERICAN length requirements, American Family Insurance Company, FAMILY INS. , 3920 3920 Northwoods Drive. NORTHWOODS DRIVE The Planner explained the applicant is proposing to place a "business" sign in the "front yard" facing I-694; a 25-ft. setback is required and a 6-ft. setback is proposed. He stated the maximum allowed length of a business sign is 10 ft. and the applicant is proposing a length of 17 ft. 3 inches; the proposed area of the sign is 99 sq. ft. which is within the maximum permitted size. • Bergly stated there are unique factors regarding the site that are unusual and would qualify as hardships related to the land, as outlined in his report of 11-2-88. He advised the applicant had purchased additional right-of-way to accommodate a small ponding area. Bergly pointed out that visibility from the west is obstructed somewhat by trees and shrubs growing in the right-of-way and along the rear of the property and the City encourages natural vegetation be maintained to the extent possible. He advised the view for traffic coming west on I-694 would be improved by moving the sign forward. The Planner stated the applicant is proposing a sign that meets the square footage requirements but exceeds the length requirements by 7.3 ft. ; the 100 sq. ft. area requirement would not be exceeded. He explained the sign is the standard American Family Insurance emblem. Rick Palmateer, Universal Sign Company, advised Commission if the 75 ft. of additional right-of-way were not included on the parcel a setback variance would not be necessary. He also advised that if the sign were kept within the 10 ft. maximum length requirement, the lettering height would be approximately 8 inches and would not be visible from the highway. Planner Bergly referred Commission to the Board of Appeals minutes of 10-25-88 recommending approval of the sign setback variances due to the hardship related to the layout of the land and the sign length variance due to the fact the sign would meet maximum area requirements although it exceeds the length requirement. • Commission questioned why the sign could not be placed on the northern section of the property. Palmateer advised the northern section of the parcel contains Oak trees and other vegetation. He stated the persons visiting the claims center would be first time customers and not repeat customers; it is necessary for the sign to be visible as Northwoods Drive is not a highly visible street.