Agenda - Council - 10/28/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The applicant is requesting to construct two additional ground directional signs to assist with traffic flow to the multi-tenant facility located Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Highway 10 since traffic patterns will be altered due to the reconstruction of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. City Code allows for directional signs provided that these signs do not exceed four square feet in size. The proposed directional signs are 16 square feet in size, and therefore are subject to a conditional use permit. The submitted site plan proposes one of the directional signs to be located on property owned by Sunfish Express. An agreement would need to be processed with the property owner from Sunfish Express prior to sign permit issuance. Staff has prepared two versions of the Conditional Use Permit, exclusive to each ofthe two parcels, to be signed by the respective property owner. . Also, prior to construction the applicant must coordinate with all applicable utilities to determine the exact location of the sign as to avoid conflict with underground utilities. Since the applicant is proposing to' place these signs within an existing easement, the applicant would be required to enter into an encroachment agreement with all applicable utilities within the easement. The application includes signs to be placed' in Anoka County and Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) right of way. Those signs will not be considered as part of this application as they are not being placed on the subject property, and will be handled through negotiations with Anoka County and Mn/DOT. City staff met on two occasions on site with the applicant. It was determined that an encroachment agreement would suffice to allow the signs to be constructed within the easements. The applicant will be required to have all utilities located prior to permit issuance. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) met on March 20, 2008 to hear a request for fmancial assistance on the proposal. The EDA and agreed to participate up to a 50% level of the entire sign package, in an amount not to exceed $14,680, which focuses on the directional signage portion of the entire package and help mitigate the p,otential effects of the hard channelization of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Recommendation: The Planning Commission met on October 2, 2008 at a Public Hearing to hear the request and recommended approval of the request. The Planning Commission also requested that the sign on Highway lObe reduced in size to reduce traffic safety concern of vehicles exiting Sunfish Commons. Funding Source: . All costs associated with processing the application are the ,responsibility of the applicant. -124-