11-20-2002 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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NC'RTHIN'EST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS, 9NC. 5775 1'/ayxit Boulevard, Suite 555, St. Louis Part, MN 55416 Telephone: 952.595.9636 Facsimile: 952. 595,9837 planners @nacplanning.com MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: November 12, 2002 RE: Little Canada — Market Place Sign Relocation PUD Permit FILE NO: 758.09 - 02.35 Market Place Center is seeking approval of the relocation of their pylon sign along Rice Street. The original sign was approved several years ago prior to the adoption of the City's architectural guidelines, and was granted a variance to increase its square footage from 200 square feet in area to 400 square feet. The approval of the Snyder's building has necessitate that the sign be moved. The applicants are proposed a location along Rice Street, south of the main entrance to the Shopping Center. As noted, the sign is much larger than the standard sign, and is designed in a way to accommodate several separate tenant identification panels. The adoption of the City's architectural guidelines has resulted in a change to the preferred design of freestanding signs. Internally lighted signs that present a white background with lettering or graphics are no longer in conformance with the sign regulations. The City has encouraged new signs to be designed with a solid, opaque background with the letters or graphics lighted only. Because the sign in question was approved prior to the adoption of the current regulations, it may be appropriate to grant some flexibility in its design upon its relocation. Planning staff would recommend that the sign permit be approved, with the condition that the identification of the Market Place Center be required to meet the design guidelines at this time, and that as new tenants occupy the center and place signage on the pylon, the new panels also be required to meet these guidelines. In this way, the sign will be brought more closely into conformance with the City's current regulations.