10-13-05 Planning Comm. Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 8, 2005 PUD PERMIT, COMPRE- HENSIVE SIGN PLAN, ARCHITEC- TURAL REVIEW - 2768 RICE STREET - AE SIGN SYSTEMS Road B, subject to compliance with the recommendations of the City Planner, and subject to an expiration date of December 31, 2007. Motion seconded by Socha. Motion carried 5 - 0. Steve Wethern, AE Sign Systems, appeared before the Commission requesting approval of a PUD Permit to allow a sign fabricating/ manufacturing company at 2768 Rice Street, as well as a Comprehen- siveSign Plan, and Architectural Review. Wethern reported that AE Sign Systems is a small sign company that engraves trophies, plaques, and name tags. The company also puts Braille into signs. While they sell large signs, those signs are ordered from other manufacturers and resold to clients. Wethern reported that he has operated this sign company from his home in Maplewood for the past 18 years with no problems. Knudsen asked how much traffic the business generates. Wethern replied that he is not sure since he operated as a wholesaler in the past and is just now getting into retail sales. As a wholesaler, Wethern reported that he had 4 or 5 cars to his house each day. Wethern indicated that moving to Rice Street opens up his business to retail traffic. Duray asked Wethern's plans for upgrading the exterior of the building. Wethern reported that he has discussed painting the exterior of the building with its owner. He noted his plans for adding signage to the exterior, and pointed out that his comprehensive sign plan falls under the City's square footage maximums for signage. The Commission noted the City Planner's comments relative to the electronic message board proposed for the pylon sign. It was noted that the Zoning Ordinance does not permit flashing signs, or signs that appear to move. The Planner also noted that the Architectural Guidelines for this district also state that electronic illumination must be provided only by a steady light, without flashing or blinking. While an electronic message board may be approved, the message could only be changed once per day, similar to the practice with hand-changeable message boards. Knudsen asked what AE Signs would play to do with the electronic message board. Wethern reported that they would use it to advertise the many different products they sell. -~- -37-