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JUL-29-1999 11:57 . e.:rGR!r:IJlG/SJ:GHAGB : e . CITY OF M I NNETONKA 612 939 8244 P.04/16. 90041 7-Hi R&dBvBlopmen~ March 4, 1993 plantings proposed would appear acceptable, however, more variety should be in~roduced. In an at.tempt to improve screening of the Rainbow building, the landscape island adjacent to the west wall was expanded ~o permit larger plan~ingllS. rourteen. 12' BpJ:uce aJ:'e propos$d. Staff is concerned that these trees are planted too close together and do not have adequate room to grow to full mat.uration (20'-25' branch sprBad). Most likely, this would lead to die back on onB side near the building with branches spilling into parking stalls on the other. perhaps if the island could be further expanded, this concept would be acceptable. However, leso trees should be planted. S~aff doea not auppert the arborvitae planted along the west wall in a smaller planting bed. Snow storage and salt will cause mine-shaped plants and ultimatBly, their survival is questioned. One option would be to shift the drive aisle east increasing the plant.ing area on the west side rather than along the building. Generally, staff prefers using natural vegetatiDD as a screening device rather than a fence. staff believes the landscape plan, wit.h minor modifications, attains as much screening of the center to thB residences as possible given topographic differences. Ultimately, a fence along ~he parking lot may be needed to assist in winter tima screening, however, this too raises issues of maintenance and aestheticD. There are no landscape changes propDsed to the central site area. staff recommends that. landscape islands be inst.alled wi.thi.n the parking lot along with plantings. An irrigation system should be installed for all disturbed areas- The applicant's narrative indicates that site lighting will be of "shoe boxw fixtures. Lighting will occur on the rear of the both centers but will be shielded, wall mounted fixtures. Lighting at Rainbow will be mounted on the Bast canopy. This is in lieu of freestanding light. poles. The exact location and design of light standards (wall and freeBtanding) should be submitted for staff review and approval. An illumination plan has been submitted which depicts the projected footcandle measurement. The illumination plan should include readings for the entire site and be expanded to site property lines in the north and south. The applicant is proposing a set. of si.gn covenants which encompasses all buildings within the site. The following lists this criteria; Within the 7-Hi portion of the project, the applicant is proposing to maintain the existing covenants 'with minor modifications. The applicants propose that signs on the WBst be unilluminated and that the Supplee Complex (Ben Franklin Crafts, Coast to coast, Rexall Drug, '-Hi Lawn and Garden, 7-Bi Ski Shop, and Hallmark) may retain a combination of 36" and 24ft letters as proposed in the submitted building elevation. Currently, most of the posted signs for these stores are 60"'. The covenants propose 60" letters for Rainbow with a 96" letter "b" and 36" "Foods." The phrase "open 24 hours" would also be 36" letters. Staff does not support the "open 24 hours" as it is inconsistent with the ordinance requirement to list tenant. name and logo only. FurthBr, supporting this would be inconsistent with the previous staff recommendation for Lunds on Highway 7. The proposed 7-Hi corner signage is somewhat consist.ent with the 7- Hi cen1:er 8ign4ge. Ag4in, western sign4ge is listed and permits 11