1996 Planning Commission Packets

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Planning Commission 462-96: Mounds View 5quare Si�age November 24, 1996 Pa�e 4 intended to overcome th� blocking effeci of the bridge, not oniy of sigrrage but af the shopping center building afso. {It shauid be noted that because of the �hape of the center, only about 1/4 of the front face--from Budget Liquors to the Hypnosis Center--is visible to Highway i 0 when traveling west without the bridge in place, until you drive pasi the point where the bridge will be tocated.) V6�e have estimated that the sign %r Ivlinnesota Center (shown in a picture submitted by the applicant) is approximaiely 10-12 feet high. The entrance signs a.t Northtown are approximately 10-12 feet high. The proposed sign for Mounds View Square will iook more massive than a sign such as the one at Northcourt Commons because it is a solid wali. We would recommend that tfie signage at Mounds View Square oniy be allowed at 12 feet if a shorter wall is extended the base of the sign or either side, earth is bermed up behind the shorter wail and tied into landscaping to soften the effect. Trees should also be planted behind the larger part of the waii. The Planning Commission will tzave to use its judge�nent as to whether the dimensions requested are the minimum necessary to overcome the blocking effect of the bridge. A ten foot by 15 foot sign may be sufficient. Siaff would also note that the size of ihe monument sign at Long Lake Road and Highway 10 may need to be adjusted in height and size so it coordinates wiih the design of the bridge, The criteria for approval of variances to the Sign Code are stated below with comments from staff as to how this groposal meets the cri�eria. a. Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances apply to the properiy which do not apply generally to o�her properties in the same zone or vicinity and result from lot size or shape, topography or other circumstances over which the owners or the property since the effective date hereof had no control. c. That the special conditions or circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant. The property is developed with a retail building that is L-shaped and set back from Highway 10. The City is proposing to construct a pedestrian hridge acrass Highway 10 at Long Lake Road which will block the view oi a portion of the front face of the shopping cenier and its center identification sign until motorists travel �ander ihe bridge. The monumeni signs proposed at the two driveway entrances wilI alert motorisis to where io turn in the most etiicient way possibie, since they wiIi be at the roadway edge and more at eye level. They wilI compensate for the Iack of visibility of the center. At present it is very difficult to find the driveway entrances into Mounds View Square at night. The. monument sign at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Highway 10 wiil provide signage in advance of ihe bridge structure for motorists traveling west, which is needed since the bridge rxriil biock the view of the center iden�iiicatzan sign.