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• Planning Case No. 452-96 New Apostolic Church; 3025 County Road H September 18, 1996 Page 15 existing mature trees have been retained as part of the landscape plan. It should be noted, however, that the changes in the parking since your last meeting have resulted in the loss of the 26" oak tree on the north side of the site adjacent to the neighboring property owner's deck. Signage Staff has not received updated elevations to know if changes have been made to the size of the signs proposed on the building. Our earlier comments are noted below. The Zoning Code is close to silent on the question of signage for churches. Community facilities such as churches, schools, community centers and recreational buildings, and some businesses such as day nurseries are allowed in residential zoning districts, but the sign regulations for these districts only pertain to residential uses. Staff has noted that the other churches in the community have signs. The closest regulations would be for the neighborhood businesses (B-1). This district allows signs not exceeding 100 square feet of total area combined. • The applicant is proposing a sign and cross on both the east and west walls of the church, and a plaque at the entrance which would list the times of the services. On the east end, the sign is 18.15 square feet and the cross is 24 square feet for a total of 42.15 square feet. This represents 5.7% of the building face. On the west end, the sign is 29 square feet and the cross is 44 square feet, for a total of 73 square feet or 10% of the building face. The overall total is 115 square feet which is more than the 100 square feet used in the B-1 district for neighborhood businesses. The applicant has indicated that they want to backlight the signs and the cross so that lighting would be reflected off of the building wall. Staff's only concern is that this building is situation in a residential neighborhood so it is important to keep the lighting levels low. Staff recommends that the signs and crosses be reduced in size so that the total square footage is 100 square feet or less. We also recommend a contingency that, prior to the issuance of any building permits, the applicant provide lighting levels and field examples of these lighting levels, if possible, and the level of illumination be subject to staff approval. Lighting Since your last meeting, staff has not received any plans for lighting on the site. Our earlier comments are noted below. The applicant has not shown any lighting on the plans submitted with this application. Staff understands from conversations with the applicant that they are planning one light fixture on the north side of the building, and one on the • east side of the building, as well as backlighting the proposed signs. The applicant expects