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MINUTIJS PLANNING C APRIL 9, 2009 Merit reviewed the City Planner's report with regard to the Valvoline sign wherein the Planner is suggesting that the sign be modified relative to corporate colors and branding. Merit reported that they have not yet discussed the modification of this sign with Valvoline, but would like the opportunity to do so. The City Planner clarified that it was not his intent to suggest that the Valvoline branding be changed. His recommendation focused on the structural portion of the sign suggesting that the sign be remodeled to be of similar architecture to the new signage being proposed. Merit reported that he has looked at options for reducing the 68 square feet of signage overage. He noted that the two existing pylons are being replaced and given the architectural detail of the new freestanding signs, it would be difficult to reduce that signage. Merit stated that he did not want to reduce the size of the CVS trade name nor the size of the tenant signage. He requested that the Planning Commission favorably consider the Variance request. Merit also requested consideration for the directional and secondary signs. Duray stated his feeling that CVS will be a great addition to the community. He indicated that he had a problem supporting the Variance request as there is no hardship present to justify the Variance. Duray noted it is necessary to find a hardship to support any variance request, and that test must be consistently applied. Duray suggested that it is possible to decrease some portion of the signage to meet the Code requirement. Merit reported that he has looked at both building signage and ground signage and has come up with an alternative letter size for the building signage which will reduce the signage by 80 square feet, thus meeting Code requirements. Duray stated that he appreciated that effort, and noted that this will allow tenant signage to remain as proposed giving tenants at the Rice at C Center good signage exposure. Duray asked about access points to the Rice at C Center. The City Planner noted that the Rice Street access point has been moved about I S to 20 feet to the north. The County Road C access point has been moved as far east as possible. There is telephone equipment in this area that prevents the drive from being moved further to the east. Duray noted the Planner's comments with regard to the directional signage. The Planner indicated that the Code allows four directional signs of four square feet each. However, additional directional signage can be approved by the City Council without the need for a variance. The Planner indicated with regard to the drive-thru signs that there is signage on three sides of the canopy. The Planner felt the east-facing canopy was not necessary given it faced toward abutting pond and residential area. He suggested that the north facing canopy sign was questionable given drive- 2-