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41, Planning Commission Planning Case No.462-96: Mounds View Square Shopping Center November 6, 1996 Page 3 The staff also observed that there are monument style signs at driveway entrances in the Crystal Center with the name of the shopping center. Such signage would provide a visual indicator at eye level for motorists driving on Highway 10 where to turn to enter the shopping center. An opportunity may also exist at the corner of Long Lake Road and Highway 10 for a monument style sign to be built at the base of the ramp for the bridge, stating the name of the shopping center. Such a sign would be visible before motorists pass under the bridge and before reaching the driveway entrances, giving them time to prepare to turn. After discussion with the applicant, they want to modify the signage package they are proposing to the following: • monument signage at the driveway entrances on Highway 10 and at the corner of Long Lake Road and Highway 10, similar to those used in the Crystal Center • a pylon sign having the same height and sign area as the sign for Mendota Plaza i.e. 50 feet in height and 430 square feet in area • Staff does not have dimensions for the monument signage in the Crystal Center. Analysis/ Recommendation: The City Sign Code allows a pylon sign which is 35 feet in height and 340 square feet in area. The applicant's proposal exceeds these allows by 15 feet in height and 90 square feet in area. The signs at the Crystal Center and Northway Center are closer to the Mounds View ordinance in height, and within the Code requirements on sign area. If h- .r... -• • 1.n i• i reduced in hei•ht from 75 feet to 50 feet it will no lon•er show above the bridge from the vantage point used in the City Engineer's calculations (1550 feet to the east). Staff does not see a justification for a variance to allow the increased height and size of the sign based on the bridge. Staff feels there is a justification for the monument signage at the corner of Highway 10 and Long Lake Road, and at the driveway entrances based on the bridge. Staff also feels that there is a need to revise the City's Sign Code as it relates to larger sized shopping centers such as Mounds View Square. One approach would be to revise the type, sizes and heights of signs allowed to recognize the need for a center identification sign, entry monuments, tenant signage, signs for freestanding businesses (such as restaurants) and directional signs. The size of the center identification sign could relate to the square footage on the site or the site size. When a site is larger, it is able to absorb a larger sized sign and still be attractive and pleasant.