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2. Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sun light for <br /> solar energy systems. <br />3. Economic considerations alone shall not constitute a sufficient basis for a Variance if <br />reasonable use for the property exists under the regulation. <br />4. Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in Minnesota Statutes <br />216C, Subd. 14, when in harmony with this ordinance. <br />5. The City Council may impose conditions in the granting of a variance. Such conditions <br />must be directly related to and bear a rough proportionality to the impact created by the <br />variance. <br />The following findings support the request to extend usage of the sign: <br />1.Caribou should be granted an extension of their variance for five more years based on the <br />explicit criteria outlined in the variance process. <br />2.Variances are designed to address unique circumstances that create practical difficulties <br />for property owners. <br />3.The extension aligns with the ordinance's intent, as Caribou's request is in harmony with <br />the ordinance's purposes, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and demonstrates <br />practical difficulties in compliance. <br />4.The property owner seeks to use the property reasonably, the unique circumstances are not <br />of their making, and the variance will maintain the essential character of the locality. <br />5.Economic considerations alone are insufficient for a variance, and the extension is in line <br />with the specified criteria. <br />6.The City Council may impose conditions, ensuring a proportional impact related directly <br />to the variance. <br />7.Caribou's request meets the established criteria for approving a variance extension. <br />The Sign Code allows for properties within the C-1, General Commercial District, that are on <br />corner lots, utilize one wall sign per street frontage plus one freestanding sign. This parcel can <br />utilize up to 435 square feet of signage. <br />Public Hearing: <br />A Variance Amendment requires a Public Hearing and the City Council will need to open the <br />hearing at their January 24, 2024 meeting to take comment from the public. At that time, they will <br />consider the comments from the public and the Variance application after the hearing has been <br />closed. A public notice has been published in the newspaper and the property owners within 350 <br />feet of the site have been notified of the proceedings. <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />The Planning Commission is asked to make a recommendation on a Variance Amendment <br />application to continue allowing the use of a second monument sign for an additional five years, <br />to sunset on December 31, 2029.