12-07-22 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 7, 2022 7 would go to the City Council for further consideration. She requested the Commission be clear regarding what the recommendation for the roof sign. Commissioner Jefferys commented it appears the wall sign was being used for advertising due to the fact the applicant states within the staff report that the proposed sign size was necessary due to the speed of traffic along Snelling Avenue. She explained she would like the applicant t o speak to the Commission regarding the proposed sign size. In addition, she also wanted to learn more about the different sign design for the free standing sign. Commissioner Mitchell indicated there was a science to signage and the size of a sign should be calculated to be useful based on the surrounding lighting conditions, whether people are in motion, and proposed typeface. She stated for the sign proposed for the parapet should be calculated and properly scaled for the building. She encouraged the applicant to pursue a sign that was large enough to be useful, but not larger than that. She questioned how the applicant arrived at the proposed sign size. Commissioner Jefferys stated she also wanted to know what the purpose was for the sign. She anticipated people visiting this building, were doing so on purpose. Chair Vijums commented on how the monument signs along Snelling Avenue help with directing traffic. He believed the proposed building sign was being used for advertising purposes based on its size. He invited the applicant to come up at this time to address the Commission. Florent Ilazi, Arden Hills RE, LLC, thanked the Commission for their time and consideration. He discussed the proposed building sign. He stated he understood the sign was 3½ times larger than was allowed by sign code, but noted the sign was only 1% of the building area. He believed this was a key distinction when considering sign size. He discussed how the building was oriented on the property and how far it was from Snelling Avenue. He reported this was the same sign that was used for a similar project that was completed in Wisconsin. He indicated there was no other location for signage on the building. He stated due to the distance and speed of passing traffic, a larger sign was being requested. He noted he could reduce the sign size slightly if this was a concern of the Commission. He commented further on the landscape plan and indicated the site would be heavily wooded, which led him to the proposed location for the roof sign. He reviewed the building elevations in further detail and noted there was no other location for wall signage. Commissioner Wicklund stated he was happy to have this new housing in Arden Hills. He noted he works out of the Bethel Anderson Center building. He believed there was no confusion when driving to the Bethel Anderson Center or New Perspective Senior Housing building. He believed that the generic use of “Senior Living” on the building was being done for marketing purposes and asked that the applicant speak to this. He questioned why the applicant was not considering a higher quality branded sign for the building. Mr. Ilazi explained the colors were intentional and the sign was simple and legible for viewing purposes. He noted this was based on science. He indicated this was a tricky area for due to the large amount of traffic along Snelling Avenue and County Road E.