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<br />increase the visibility of the businesses on the property. However, if the trees near the <br />comer are removed as proposed, the visibility for a building near that intersection is <br />increased and the need for a freestanding sign at the comer is reduced. <br /> <br /> <br />While the existing freestanding sign at the comer advertises for a number of the <br />businesses on the property, the proposed new sign for the comer would only advertise the <br />Walgreen's store. Since the proposed Walgreen's store and its requested wall signage <br />will be visible from County Road E, Lexington Avenue, and the intersection (as shown in <br />the submitted rendering), the need for a separate freestanding Walgreen's sign is <br />diminished. The freestanding signs at the two entrance points to Arden Plaza, which <br />could include a Walgreen's sign, do appear to be needed for advertising and way-finding <br />for the other businesses on the property. This is not a sign content or message issue for <br />the comer freestanding sign; it is a total signage area issue. <br /> <br />If the trees near the comer were to remain, then a freestanding sign would likely be <br />warranted. <br /> <br />2. Tree Preservation and Landscaping Plan <br /> <br />At the request of the Planning Commission, the applicant has submitted a tree <br />preservation plan showing the trees that are proposed to be preserved or removed (sheet <br />CIa in Attachruent 3C-l). <br /> <br />A revised landscaping plan has also been submitted (sheet Ll in Attachment 3C-l). The <br />previous landscaping plan proposed removing 364 caliper inches of trees, preserving 662 <br />caliper inches oftrees, and planting 228 caliper inches of trees. A total of 890 caliper <br />inches would be in place upon full implementation of the landscaping plan. <br /> <br />According to the revised landscaping plan, 412 caliper inches will be removed, 592 <br />caliper inches will be preserved, and 224 caliper inches will be planted. Upon full <br />implementation of the landscaping plan, there would be 816 caliper inches, which is a <br />reduction of 74 caliper inches. <br /> <br />According to the applicant, the landscaping plan was revised because the proposed <br />improvements at the Lexington Avenue entrance will require additional existing trees to <br />be removed due to their proximity to the new curb and sidewalk. The applicant also <br />stated that the proposed improvements on both sides of the Lexington Avenue entrance <br />are proposed to be within one foot of the existing trees, which is not enough space to <br />guarantee that the trees will not be damaged during construction and does not provide <br />adequate room for the trees to continue healthy growth in the future. <br /> <br />If the property was vacant and being developed for the first time, approximately 305 <br />caliper inches of trees would be required. <br /> <br />City of Arden Hills <br />Planning Commission Meetingfor October 3, 2007 <br /> <br />C:\Documents and SettingsVackiefreppertlLocal Settings\Temporary Internet FilesIOLKD1\l00307 - PC Report - Arden Plaza - Master <br />PUD.doc <br /> <br />Page 6 of 10 <br />