CC 09-24-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 6 . UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Plannill1! Cases 1. Case #01-25, Guidant Corporation, 4201-4233 N. Lexington Ave., Sign Ordinance Variance Mr. Parrish explained the request. Councilmember Rem asked what concerns the Planning Commission had with the application. Mr. Parrish responded the primary concern was the image issue. He stated with "Guidant" on the tower it could be mistaken for the City of Guidant. He noted they also had difficulty finding a specific hardship related to the physical characteristics of the site. Mayor Probst stated there was no problem with the two monument signs. He noted the size of campus would lend itself to these signs. He added if the campus was ever divided it would be able to have two such signs. He stated he was concerned about the water tower. He noted that if someone else comes in with a device just as high, what grounds would the city use to deny the request. He added he would like to defer the decision until staff finds out what happens in other communities. . Councilmember Aplikowski stated after viewing the pictures, there was a view where no one could see the tower beyond a certain point. She noted that Guidant wants this to lead the way due to their split campus. She suggested a time limit on the approval. Councilmember Larson stated he drove around the neighborhood. He noted he had a real problem finding a justification for a hardship. He added his strong concern about setting a precedent. He noted the discussions about towers. He added these towers might be a possible location for signage. He stated he would support the other sign requests since they were reasonable. Councilmember Rem concurred with the request for information on other communities. Councilmember Grant stated he was not sure he agreed with the hardship found by the Planning Commission. He noted that ifhaving a high structure and not using it was a hardship, than there could be a number of other high structures in Arden Hills that would be great places for a sign. . Mr. Dan Riehle from Guidant, stated the water tower was on a 90-acre site. He noted the lettering was 2 feet 3 inches high. He noted it could not be read off campus. He added Guidant was going through a branding process to get its name known. He stated part of the criteria was that it could be read on campus, but not off campus. He noted the letters could not be read beyond 600 feet. He added there were many doctors that came on the site. He stated it was an internal branding on site to advertise to customers and to build a sense of pride for employees on site.