02-28-2007 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, INC. 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Telephone: 763.231 .2555 Facsimile: 763.231 .2561 planners @nacplanning.com MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Blesener and Little Canada City Council FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: February 22, 2007 RE: Little Canada — Citgo/BP Sign Request FILE NO: 758.09 - 07.10 Background and Analysis The owners of the former Citgo station are converting the station to a BP brand, and changing the signage to accommodate that conversion. The owners will be replacing all of the signage on the site, including the removal of the non - conforming signs and will comply with all of the ordinance sign requirements. One of the proposed signs is an informational menu board that does not easily fit into the City's signage categories. This menu board is to be located at the rear of the property providing direction to cars entering the car wash behind the building. The sign will be slightly visible from the street, but will be readable only to cars entering the car wash. As such, staff has considered this sign a directional /informational sign. The City Council has the ability to authorize such signs at sizes or quantities larger than the standard 4 square foot "entrance" or "exit" sign. The proposed sign would be 18 square feet (3 feet tall by 6 feet wide). As noted, it will have a message that is not intended to be readable by passing street traffic, although it will be visible. Summary and Recommendation Planning staff supports the interpretation that the sign may be approved as proposed. It is similar to menu boards for fast -food restaurants which are often excluded from the sign calculations since they do not advertise goods or services to the general public. Staff has brought this request to the Council, however, since the sign will technically be visible, although not readable, from the street. Pc: Kathy Glanzer Steve Westerhaus Jessica Jagoe