2001 Planning Commission Packets

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-. , , , .. , ;..:. . � -------- -- .... , �,. ;:._------ -- _: -- - 4` Item # 5 City of Mounds Vietiv Planning Commission Report Meeting Date; September 5, 2001 Title: DISCUSSION REGARDING A DEVELOPMENT REVIEW REQUEST BY CLEAR CHANNEL �UTDOOR TO EXPAND THE EXISTING BILLBOARD LOCATED ON CITY- OWNED PROPERTY; PLANN[NG CASE DE01-004 - Introduction: Chris McCarver, representing Clear Channel Outdoor, owner of the billboard ]ocated on city- owned land on the north side of County Highway 10, is requesting approval of a development review to permit an expansion of the billboard from 300 square feet to G72 square feet. Clear Channel owns a permanent lease far the 40-square feet upon which the sign is located. To expand the sign, an additional easernent or lease area would need to be negotiated. The property is the former Midland Videen land that the City acquired through its land swap with TOLD Development Company. The property on which the sign is located is zoned PF, Public Facilities. Discussion: According to the City's recently adopted Sign Code, the billbaard is a legal, nonconforming sign. Section lOQ8.13, Subd. 1 of tl�e Code states the following: "Structural alterations, enlargement or re-erection are permissible only where such alterations would not increase the degree of the nonconformity of the sign." City staff, supported in opinion by the City Attorney, interprets this to indicate that the sign can be enlarged because the degree of nonconformity remains unchanged with an expansion. The nonconformity is based not on the size of the sign or its setback, but rather its location. It is nonconforming ONLY because it is not located north of new Highway 10. The zoning is proper and the size would be in compliance. (Billboards are only permitted in a PF or PUD zoning district, up to 700 square feet.) As part of the expansion, Clear Channel proposes significant 3andscape irnprovements arounci the site and would bury the electric service, thus allowing for the removal of a utility pole. The expansion would include the construction of a rock and brick base to add an aes�hetic enhancement to the corridor, in a fashion similar to the base of the new Walgreens sign and that of Wynnsong Cinema.