09-12-2019 Planning Commission Packet

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 8, 2019 - 2 - changes access for the site. She reported that the Rice Street access will be removed and there will be a new right-in, entrance-only access on the north side of the property. She stated that due to the complete change of the area’s roads into round-a-bouts, Caribou is concerned about customers figuring out how to access their site. The City Clerk explained that the total amount of signage allowed is 15% of the front building face, and two sides of the building can be counted for corner lots. She stated that based on two building faces, this property is allowed a total of 317.25 square feet of signage. She noted that the sign code allows counting two building faces for properties with frontage on two streets, but has no allowances for a property that has four sides of street frontage since it so seldom occurs. She explained that the applicant has requested a variance to allow wall signage on all four sides of the building since the roadway will surround the site and all sides of the building will be highly visible. She noted there is currently a 61.3 square foot wall sign on the west side facing Rice Street, and the applicant is proposing the same wall sign on all four sides of the building for a total of 245.2 square feet. The City Clerk reported that the applicant is also proposing to install a new 15-foot tall, 84 square feet, free-standing pylon sign along Rice Street, a little further north than the existing pylon sign, and Caribou is requesting to also keep the existing pylon sign. She explained that Staff has been working with Caribou and communicated to them that City Staff does not recommend a second pylon sign, especially along the same corridor. She stated that as an alternative, Caribou requested they be allowed to keep the existing pylon sign in place until the completion of the Rice Street and I- 694 construction which should be done by Fall 2020. She noted that Caribou intends to install the new signage in the next couple of months and feels that keeping the existing pylon in place will help customers learn where to turn during the roadway changes. The City Clerk reported that the applicant is also requesting five more small informational signs in order to direct traffic at the entrance and exits. She noted there are currently four small signs in the drive-thru lane which will remain. She explained that the City Council can approve additional directional signs, so a variance is not needed for these. She explained that the Commission is being asked to consider how many sides of the building should be allowed to have wall signage, the total amount of signage allowed for the property and if a second pylon sign should be allowed. She noted that the additional issue to consider would be if a second pylon is not recommended, could the current pylon remain until Fall 2020. Buesing asked how much signage would be there with four wall signs and the new pylon sign. Johnson stated the total would be 329.2 square feet.