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and sign quantity. The City is asked to consider the request for a sign standard adjustment through the Site Plan Review process. 2. Background The Subject Property was redeveloped by Bremer Bank in 2016 as an approximately 18,000 gross square foot, two-story bank and office building. The site also had a teller drive -up lane and drive -up ATM. Bremer Bank was permitted to retain an existing freestanding pole sign located at the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road F as part of the 2016 redevelopment approval. In 2018, the City Council approved Planning Case 18-010 — a Site Plan Review for the site to be redeveloped by Primrose School, which included extensive renovations to the interior of the building and the replacement of parking stalls and drive lanes to the west and south sides of the building for the installation of a playground area and parking area modifications to the north side of the building. The changes in parking triggered the Site Plan Review. As part of the 2018 Site Plan Review and approval, the Applicant proposed to retain and reface the existing legal nonconforming freestanding sign. A condition of approval was "The existing pylon sign at the intersection of County Road F and Lexington Avenue may remain in place. The applicant shall work with staff to utilize the sign in conformance with the Sign Code." Per Section 1280.01 — Nonconforming Signs of the City's Sign Code, a legal nonconforming sign may be continued through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance, or improvement. If the use of the nonconforming sign or sign structure is discontinued for a period of one (1) year, the sign or sign structure shall not be reconstructed or used except in conformity with the provisions of the sign code. The Bremer Bank signage was removed from the freestanding pole sign between 2018 and 2019 and replaced with a blank neutral -toned panel within the two cabinets that matches the color of the structure. Therefore, discontinuing the use of the nonconforming sign and starting the one (l ) year period to retain the nonconforming status. The Applicant notes that the structure has been unused and standing for at least 5 years. The Applicant has stated that with the pandemic occurring within 5 months of starting operations, infrastructure projects were put on hold and the signage project was not a priority. With the discontinuance of the nonconforming sign, the freestanding structure cannot be used except in conformity with the sign code provisions. The Applicant may either propose a new sign that conforms with the sign code provisions for Sign District 6 (i.e. reduce height and sign area of cabinet) or apply for a sign standard adjustment through the Site Plan Review process for flexibility as a new freestanding sign. The Applicant submitted several applications for new signage at the Subject Property on May 1, 2024. The sign plans (Attachment D) including new wall, window, and freestanding signage. The wall signs were found in compliance with the Sign District 6 requirements and permits were issued. Staff identified that an additional step would be needed for the proposed freestanding sign given the discontinued nonconforming use of the former sign. Page 2 of 10