1995 06-13 PC MINUTES - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 13, 1995 Paul R. Emeott, Mayor 3960 Scheuneman Rd. Gem Lake, Mn 55110 Dear Paul: The Gem Lake Planning Commission met Monday, June 12, 1995, 7:00 PM, at Tousley Ford. Present were Gardner, Titcomb, Niel- sen, and Arend. The notice of the meeting was published in the White Bear Press on May 31. Richard Hiniker and Tom Bennett of Tousley Ford presented their request for a variance from the sign ordinance to allow them to erect several new signs to complete the renovation of their dealership. They wish to replace the main entrance pedes- tal sign on "E" with a very large, lighted, two-sided sign 10'X 16' on a 16, pedestal (Exhibit A)(the most southerly edge must be 19' north of the curb, i.e. 10, north of the County right-of- way). They feel that the current sign is too small, and too low, to be properly visible. They also wish to locate a low, lighted sign in front of the large elm tree just inside the new entrance directing traffic to parts or sales/service (Exhibit B). The new portico entrance to the building would be decorated with the words "entrance, new/used" (Exhibit C) on either side (i.e., east and west), and IlTousleyl' with the new lighted Ford logo sign on the front (south)(Exhibit D). The result would be a net addition of one new sign and a total signage of 1087 square feet, versus the ordinance limit of 674 sf. Discussion focused on the need for such a large sign at the entrance and at the parts depot. Mr. Gardner suggested that if they removed the words IlTousley" and "Depot" from the parts depot, leaving the very large letters "Parts", and sized down the new entrance sign, they could come very close to complying with the ordinance. Mr. Bennett feels strongly that the parts busi- ness is a separate entity and needs very clear identification, particularly since it is located so far back from the street. They also feel that the trees currently obscure the entrance sign, and, in order to encourage customers to use the new entrance, they need to make it more visible.