02-25-1998 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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,; NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS I N C COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittman DATE: February 10, 1998 RE: Little Canada - Citgo /Union 76 Sign Requests FILE NO: 758.09 - 98.05 The new owner of the Union 76 Station at Little Canada Road and I -35E is requesting a series of variances for new signs to accommodate a change in corporate franchise from Union 76 to Citgo. The current sign package was given a series of variances when the station was changed from Mobil to Union 76 in 1987. The City's rationale for the approval was that the local owner of the franchise was not initiating the change. Rather, Mobil and Union 76 were changing locations and the need for new signs was forced on the local owner from the corporate level. Variances to the sign ordinance were granted governing the following issues: Number of signs on the site. Square footage of all signage on the site. Number of freestanding signs on the site. Height of one of the freestanding signs. Allowance for movement/rotation of one of the signs. As a result of the grant of variance, the conditions on the site are considered to be conforming conditions, as opposed to legal non - conforming. Therefore, sign faces can be changed without zoning review, or concern as to whether other site changes will trigger a requirement for the replacement of non - conforming signage. However, new signs may not be larger, more in number, or taller than the existing signs on the site. The site's signage is proposed to be reorganized with the sale of the property and the change to the Citgo franchise. The new owners wish to retain both freestanding signs and 5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 5541 6 PHONE 612- 595 -9636 FAX 612- 595 -9837 E -MAIL NAC @WINTERNET. COM Page 29