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5.03: Public Hearing: Consider Request for Conditional Use Permit for Oversized <br />Ground Signs at 14590 Armstrong Blvd NW (Project No. 20-101); Case of RGH <br />Ramsey LLC <br />Public Hearing <br />Chairperson Bauer called the public hearing to order at 8:10 p.m. <br />Presentation <br />City Planner Anderson presented the staff report stating that while a request for an oversized <br />ground sign is not necessarily unusual, the square footage proposed with his request is larger than <br />contemplated in previous discussions. As a result, staff is in need of some policy direction from <br />the Planning Commission before any specific recommendation can be provided. While staff <br />understands the Planning Commission desires to broaden the scope of administrative approvals <br />for signs, the size is larger than what had been discussed in the past, and larger than staff is <br />comfortable with approving administratively at this time. Staff is understanding of the desire for <br />visibility from Highway 10 for businesses and does believe that signage could help attract <br />businesses to the area. He noted that two letters of opposition from adjacent landowners were <br />received and included in the case. <br />Chairperson Bauer asked the typical size of a billboard sign. <br />City Planner Anderson replied billboard signs are typically between 600 and 700 square feet. He <br />confirmed that as proposed the original sign request exceeded that size. <br />Chairperson Bauer asked if the City has ever approved placing a private sign on City property. <br />City Planner Anderson stated that he is not aware of a private sign on City property but noted that <br />there are City signs that promote local business through tenant spaces. <br />Chairperson Bauer asked the visibility concerns raised from businesses in The COR to attract <br />additional drivers from Highway 10. <br />City Planner Anderson replied that is a common consider from businesses. He stated that <br />typically there are blue MnDOT signs that alert drivers to upcoming businesses but noted that <br />those signs are not an option in Ramsey. He confirmed that prospective businesses have <br />expressed the need to have visibility from Highway 10. <br />Chairperson Bauer commented that the entire sign ordinance should be reviewed, as the <br />ordinance is too restrictive in many ways. <br />Commissioner VanScoy referenced the existing community signs and asked if those are on City <br />owned property. <br />Planning Commission/ February 6, 2020 <br />Page 9 of 18 <br />