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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – February 4, 2026 6 Commissioner Jacobson commented after visiting several other fire stations, she noticed fire stations are open 24/7. She discussed how the signage on fire stations was not for wayfinding purposes because the buildings were always lit up. She questioned if it was necessary to exceed the sign code requirements by three times. She indicated she was not certain she could support having a wall sign this large on the fire station. She noted she was also concerned about the graphic sign. Chair Collins commented on how Flaherty’s had a graphic sign (a three-leaf clover), which was located just across the street from the fire station. Commissioner Jacobson questioned if the city would be doing its due diligence by allowing the fire station to have three times the amount of signage that was allowed within City Code. She was of the opinion that fire stations were already recognizable without large amounts of signage. She indicated she was not comfortable with the proposed signage. Commissioner Bjorklund agreed, noting the fire station did not have to market itself to the public. He explained he was also concerned about the graphic sign portion of this request. Commissioner Lindau stated he believed the sign requests were reasonable. Commissioner Burlingame reported all Lake Johanna apparatus, trucks and vehicles already have the phoenix emblem on them. He explained based on staff analysis it appears a sign standard adjustment was being evaluated primarily under Subdivision 3, which allows for consideration of the current land use. In this case, the land use was a public emergency services facility. He stated fire stations function differently than other typical commercial uses. He noted this building would serve as an emergency response facility as well as a civic landmark and community gathering space. He supported the building having a clear, visual identity, including symbolic identification as this could serve a legitimate public purpose particularly for public way finding and mutual aid. He indicated the plan evaluation notes the proposed signage was consistent with the purpose of the B-2 General Business District and would not negatively impact the adjacent properties. He appreciated the attention that was given to the lighting plan and the use of the red spectrum illumination. He recommended if this request were to move forward that the Commission be clear the support comes as a narrow civic exception tied to the public safety and community function of the facility. If framed in this manner, he could support the sign standard adjustment. Commissioner Birken stated she supported the proposed sign design and noted she would be proud to have this fire station in her community. She realized the signage was three times the size that City Code would allow but was of the opinion the signs would look strange if shrunk down by two-thirds. She questioned why graphic signs were not allowed in the business district and she looked forward to the Planning Commission being able to review the sign code. Chair Collins commented he supported the proposed signage and noted this was a unique case because this was a civic facility. He understood this project did not meet current sign standards but noted this was not the first sign standard adjustment that has come before the Planning Commission. He stated these were large signs, but noted this building was set back from the roadway and they were up high, which meant the scale had to be adjusted. He provided further information on how graphics were included in signs throughout the community.