01-17-23-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 4 of 6 plan, the additional signs will be identical to those already installed on the new 4200 Round Lake Road building. 3. Subd. 3 The sign adjustment will not result in a sign that is inconsistent with the purpose of the zoning district in which the property is located or the current land use. According to the Applicant, the additional sign will enhance the purpose of the current land use by navigating visitors to the proper company locations. In addition, as set forth in section 11.GB of the ‘City of Arden Hills – 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Gateway Business District (AHC)’ the tenants believe that the proposed signage is consistent with the purposes of: • “D. To allow only development that will create an attractive environment and a positive image for this site, which is one of the most visible in the community…” and • “G. To allow development that will insure reasonable traffic operation on the internal and surrounding transportation systems.” Planning staff would add that the new construction of the Gateway Interstate building at 4200 Round Lake Road was approved on October 12, 2020 as part of a Planned Unit Development that included sign district flexibility. The sign flexibility that the Applicant is seeking under this proposal for the Subject Properties would be initiated through the Site Plan Review process. The review process type is different because the Subject Properties are existing buildings that are operating in accordance with city code requirements under the Gateway Business Zoning District as allowed without a Planned Unit Development. A Planned Unit Development is an overlay district utilized on land use reviews for residential and commercial subdivisions, new developments, or redevelopments that will function as one entity or may include flexibility to design standards. Not all properties in the City function as part of a Planned Unit Development. Rather there are historical uses (i.e. permitted use, conditional use, special use, legal nonconforming, etc.) that are allowed to continue until such time that there is a change in use or modification to the site or building that triggers an additional zoning/land use review. Sign Code 1240.02 – Sign Standards by Sign District When staff was initially contacted for review of the proposed signage, the Applicant was unaware of the two different Sign District classifications between their three locations. Although there is a mechanism under the sign code that allows for sign standard adjustments, staff advised the Applicant that the City Council might also consider the following alternate options: 1) Amend the sign code to reclassify the Gateway Business Zoning District from Sign District 7 to Sign District 6., or 2) Amend the sign code to increase the total sign copy area allowed for wall signs in Sign District 7 from 45 square feet to up to 60 square feet. The Applicant wanted to discuss all three processes with the Council and has applied for the concept review to garner feedback in advance of their future land use application. All properties located within the Gateway Business District fall under Sign District 7. Sign District 7 includes all properties in the I-Flex, Gateway Business, or other commercial or industrial district without frontage on a designated roadway (i.e. County Road E or Lexington Avenue). In comparison, Sign District 6 would be those properties zoned for commercial or