05-12-11-Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 12, 2011 use of the property. The Planner noted that the new law gives cities more leeway in granting variances. He felt that eventually there will be litigation over some of the terms used, resulting in more definition. Scott Loegge, LeRoy Signs, representing Sherman & Associates, appeared before the Commission requesting approval of a Variance in order to place a monument sign along Rice Street for The Village. He noted that last year the City approved the master sign plan for The Village. He further reported that the footings were installed at the time the foundation was put in for the office building. Loegge reported that they just learned that Ramsey County took an additional right -of -way of 10 feet for Rice Street, which results in the monument sign location being only 6 inches from the right -of -way. Knudsen asked if the sign location was in conformance with the Code at the time the footings were installed, and became out of conformance as a result of the County taking additional right -of -way. The City Planner reported that the City reviewed and approved the plat which was then sent to the County. At that time the County took the additional right -of -way. Knudsen asked if the sign location could be moved. Loegge replied that there is no room to move the sign. Knudsen asked about other options. Loegge reported that placing the sign on the building or turning the monument sign would provide little Rice Street visibility. It would only be when a driver got right up to the sign that it would be noticeable, and this could create a traffic hazard on Rice Street. Knudsen noted that the sign was designed to create visibility from Rice Street, and a practical difficulty would be that there is not other location for the sign that would accomplish this. Loegge indicated that if the sign were made smaller, the tenants' names would not be readable. This, too, could create a traffic hazard if drivers on Rice Street were trying to read a sign that was too small. Knudsen asked if the sign meets all other Code requirements. The Planner replied that it did. Fischer asked the type of tenants in the building. Loegge reported that there is currently a nutrition business, a title company, an insurance office, and NexStar. Duray noted that when the plat was approved by the City, the property owner's expectation was that there would be adequate room for a monument sign. The Planner agreed. However, the County then took additional right -of -way for Rice Street. -4-