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

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With regard to the signs themselves, the City's zoning ordinance provides for a total of two signs per commercial premise, plus one freestanding sign. For sign area, the applicant indicates that based on the size of the buildings, up to 190 additional square feet of sign can be accommodated on the site. The applicant is proposing a total of 64 square feet of additional sign area, well within the allowable sign area for the building. would appear that based on this analysis, the proposed signs meet the area and number of signs for the site. With regard to the electronic sign, the Zoning Ordinance does not permit flashing signs, or signs that appear to move. The Architectural Guidelines for this district also state that electronic illumination must be provided only by a steady light, without flashing or blinking. As such, the Electronic Message Board may be approved, but staff would recommend that the message only be permitted to be changed once per day, similar to the practice with hand-changeable message boards. The plans do not address the materials proposed for the signs. The Architectural Guidelines for this district prohibit internally lit plastic panel signs. The city has accepted this design where the message is "reversed out" of a dark background. The applicant should clarify the materials and design of each sign as a part of the Planning Commission's review. Summary and Recommendation The applicant requires a PUD permit to ensure that (1) the proposed use is consistent with the intent of the PUD Zoning District, and (2) the exterior improvements (in this case, signage) are consistent with the design guidelines for the PUD District. The applicant has not submitted a floor plan or a description of the proposed use. It is staffs understanding that some amount of fabrication will be done on the property. If this aspect of the business is minimal, with office and retail service the dominant use of the site, the use should be reasonably compatible with the district and with surrounding land uses. With regard to the signage, the area, number, and location of the proposed signs appear to meet the basic requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. However, the electronic message board raises concerns over the possible flashing or changing of messages. Staff would recommend that if this sign is to be approved, that no more than one message change is permitted per day. The second issue relates to sign design and materials. As noted above, internally lit plastic panel signs are not permitted. The applicant should better identify the materials, colors, and design of the sign as a part of the Planning Commission review. Pc: Kathy Glanzer Steve Westerhaus Lee Elfering William Mellgren, 1048 Payne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55101 5-