CCP 09-24-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #01-25, Guidant Corporation September 17, 2001 Page 2 . with formally planted and maintained landscape materials similar to that installed at the Hamline locations. Water Tower The "Guidant" logos placed on the east and west sides ofthe water tower would be in letters 2 ft tall and will each extend for 31 ft 6 in around the 94 ft circumference of the tank at the top of the tower. The logo will not be illuminated. The tower is 130 ft tall (the nearby City water tower is 127 ft tall). Backl!round In March, 2001, Guidant became the owner and major, but not sole, tenant for the former Control Data campus. The proposed signs will identify the expanded Guidant facilities in Arden Hills and direct visitors to the new facilities. Typically, the Commission would receive this as a request for approval of sign plan for the campus, as was filed at this site previously, but then withdrawn by a previous developer. Guidant has not finalized its plans for the entire campus, and may bring through a sign plan at that time, but is now requesting permission to do entrance and campus identification signs through the variance process. The Code has no provision for private signage on water towers, so staff has accepted that application as a variance ofthe maximum height for wall signs. The Lexington Avenue signs are consistent with the height and area standards for the Lexington . Avenue North of694 sign Overlay District of the proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance. Analvsis The standards for a sign variance are found in Section IX F. Variances, of the Sign Ordinance. Two findings are required to grant a variance: 1. Hardship. That the hardship is attributable to the particular physical surroundings, topographical conditions, or shape of the specific parcel ofIand involved; or 2. Materially Detrimental. That the granting of the variance would not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity or zone the property is located. For comparison, these are the variance findings from the proposed sign ordinance amendment: Sign Adjustments Adjustment to the height, area or location of a sign or signs may be approved through the Site Plan Review process if the following criteria are met: a. There are site conditions which require a sign adjustment to allow the sign to be reasonably visible from a street immediately adjacent to the street; Or, .