Agenda - Council - 01/26/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR TWO GROUND SIGNS AND TO EXCEED SIGN SIZE RESTRICTIONS; CASE OF CONNEXUS ENERGY By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik Background: On December 11, 1998, the City received an application from Connexus Energy for a conditional use permit for two ground signs, one of which is proposed to be oversized, at 14601 Ramsey Blvd. N.W. The following items are enclosed for your information: a) Site location map b) Sign plan c) Draft Planning Commission meeting minutes dated January 5, 1999 d) Proposed findings of fact e) Proposed conditional use permit Notification: Ail property owners within 350 feet of the subject property were notified of the public hearing. Observations: In the commercial and industrial districts, the City Code allows for one ground or freestanding sign per commercial or industrial parcel. It also restricts the sign size to 100 square feet (200 square feet gross surface area). As you know, Connexus Energy has frontage on Ramsey Blvd. and Industry Blvd. with a public access to the facility from each road. Con_nexus is proposing to erect business identification signs at both of the public entrances to ~aeir facility. The intent of restricting ground signs to one per parcel was to eliminate sign clutter. The 40+ acre Connexus parcel had the potential for at least 40 one acre commercial lots and therein, 40 ground or freestanding signs. Given that Connexus occupies the entire 40 acres, it is reasonable to conclude that two freestanding signs will not result in 'sign clutter'. The sign at the Rarnsey Blvd. entrance is proposed to be 112 square feet in size or 12 square feet over the established maximum. Council has approved overages in sign space in the past in the commercial districts. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on January 5 and there were no verbal or written comments submitted. Recommendation: The Planning Commission and City Staff recommend approval of the request.