PC 05-04-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 4, 2005 2 Chair Sand asked what staff had in mind for a smaller variance. Mr. Hellegers showed a . mock up of what a smaller sign could look like. He noted in terms of size, he believed it went back to the other signs they had in the City, such as the Cub sign, which was 100 square feet and the largest sign in the City at present. He stated there needed to be a definitive reason to have a sign as large as being proposed. Chair Sand opened the public hearing at 7: 1 0 p.m. Chair Sand invited anyone for or against the Sign Standard Adjustment to come forward and make comment. Bruce Thompson, Assistant Director of Property Management Ramsey County, stated Commissioner Bennett expressed his regrets that he was unable to attend tonight's meeting. He apologized for coming to the last meeting with a revised signage plan and realized that showing a plan at the last minute, did not give the Commission an opportunity to review the details of the sign request. He stated there were three reasons they wanted the variance for the overall size including it being in the interest of the partnership that they were requesting that specific size in order to include all of the partners they had on the site. He indicated they could meet the sign ordinance by including Ramsey County Works and Sheriff Patrol only, but he did not believe that was in the best interest of the partnership. He stated the Sheriff Department had requested a sign that identified their Department from a great distance. He noted according to the Traffic Sign Institute, the letters they had on the sign was designed to be readable from . 350 feet at 45-50 mph. He indicated reducing the size of the letters would cause vehicles to slow down to read the sign, which could lead to traffic problems and/or accidents. Commissioner Zimmerman asked for an explanation of the lighting. Mr. Thompson replied the sign would be a boxed sign that had both internal and external lettering. He stated the large letters would be lit internally on the sign at night. Chair Sand asked if they had considered redesigning the descriptions so the Sheriffs Department was lit at night. Mr. Thompson replied the Sheriff Department would be lit I up externally. He indicated they were also considering adding the Sheriff~ star next to their name. Chair Sand asked if the partnership consisted of the four major entities or the subdivisions as well. Mr. Thompson replied it included Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills, Minnesota Army National Guard, and the Moundsview School District. Chair Sand stated they could reduce the size of the sign if they got rid !of all of the subdivisions and only had the four major entities. Mr. Thompson replied they could do that, but it would not show the Sheriffs Department in that case. Chair Sand asked if this sign would also show the recycling oil dumping area. Mr. Thompson replied the sign would not show that area and nobody had approached them to . add additional signage for that facility. Commissioner Larson asked if they had people inquiring where their location was. Mr. Thompson replied they had inquiries as to where the Public Works and Sheriffs Department were located.