Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/07/2006

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t ~tall two additional free standing signs, one ground sign and one monument sign. The intent of the proposed signs is to highlight the tenants of the site for Highway 10 traffic and to help identify the Town Center site in general. The proposed free standing ground sign would have a total sign area of 253 square feet per sign face and the monument sign would have a total of fifty- four (54) square feet per sign face. Both signs would comply with the height regulations. . The proposed locations for the two signs are the southwest and southeast comers of the property. There is a drainage and utility easement as well as a Connexus Energy easement across both proposed sign locations. City Code restricts any sign other than those erected by a governmental agency from being placed within any public easement. However, there are not really any other viable alternatives. Staff has informed the applicant that to erect signs within this easement area would require a written .agreement acknowledging that it would be the property owner's responsibility to relocate the sign(s) if authorized work necessitated it. Staff is also working with Connexus Energy to coordinate exact locations to ensure that there would not be any conflict with utilities and/or future expansion of utilities. The City has, in the past, granted conditional use permits for signs larger than allowed under City Ordinances and for multiple ground signs on a single parcel. Recommendation: Three sides of the property have public road frontage, and the fourth side is only separated from Highway 10 by the railroad tracks, and there is a potential for approximately eighteen (18) businesses on this one parcel. Considering that, it seems unreasonable restrict the site to a single ground sign of not more than 100 square feet. Furthermore, as noted above, there are not really any alternative sign locations other than within the easements along the southern property line. But, if the applicant provides a written agreement accepting the responsibility of relocating the sign(s) if necessitated by authorized work within the easement area, it would eliminate the concern about erecting signs in the easement area. Therefore, City Staff recommends approval of the request to exceed the sign size restrictions and for multiple ground signs on a single parcel contingent upon receiving a written agreement from Sophia-Ramsey LLC regarding relocation of the signs. Commission Action: Motion to recommend that the City Council adopt findings of fact relating to Sophia-Ramsey's request for a conditional use permit to exceed sign size restrictions established in City Code and for multiple ground signs on a single parcel. -and- Motion to recommend that City Council approve Sophia-Ramsey's request to exceed sign size restrictions and for multiple ground signs on a single parcel contingent upon receiving a written agreement concerning sign relocation responsibility based on the fmdings of fact, and adopt a resolution declaring terms of conditional use permit. 38