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

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Case#4: Request for a Conditional Use Permit to Exceed Sign Size Restrictions; Case of Northland Security Bank Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that the City received an application from Northland Security Bank for a conditional use permit to exceed the sign size restrictions on their ground sign at 14125 St. Francis Boulevard NW. The City Code restricts the sign surface area on ground or freestanding signs to 100 square feet in the commercial district. The existing sign at Northland is 100 square feet. Northland is proposing to add a 14 square foot "Instant Cash" message to their existing sign. In the past, similar requests for additional sign space in the commercial districts have been approved by the City Council. There were no comments heard at the public hearing conducted by the Planning Commission. Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Hendriksen to adopt Resolution #99-01-021 adopting Findings of Fact #0484 relating to a request from Northland Security Bank for a Conditional Use Permit to exceed sign size restrictions in a commercial district. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Haas Steffen, Hendriksen, Anderson and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Absent: Mayor Gamec, Motion by Councilmember Haas Steffen and seconded by Councilmember Hendriksen to adopt Resolution #99-01-022 approving the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit based on Findings of Fact #0484 and declaring terms of permit to exceed sign surface restrictions. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Haas Steffen, Hendriksen, Anderson and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Absent: Mayor Gamec. Case #5: Request for a Conditional Use Permit for Two Ground signs and to Exceed Sign Size Restrictions; Case of Connexus Energy Zoning Administrator Frolik explained that 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 Boulevard NW. 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). She noted that Connexus Energy has frontage on Ramsey Boulevard and Industry Boulevard with a public access to the facility from each road. Connexus is proposing to erect business identification signs at both of the public entrances to their facility. Ms. Frolik pointed out that 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 Ramsey Boulevard entrance is proposed to be 112 square feet in size or 12 square feet City Council/January 26, 1999 Page 8 of 17