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Planning Commission 110 Planning Case No. 462-96: Mounds View Square Shopping Center November 6, 1996 Page 4 Another approach is to allow the approval of sign programs for larger-scale shopping centers such as Mounds View Square. Staff is familiar with this approach from other cities. The Sign Code would allow for shopping centers of a certain size to file a customized set of sign regulations, which would show the location and dimensions of all of the signage proposed, the design theme, and the colors and letter styles proposed. The usual regulations for the zoning districts are used as a reference point for evaluating the sign program, but not as requirements. Sign programs allow flexibility as long as the overall design approach and amount of signage is acceptable to the City. In some cities, such sign programs are approved by the Planning Commission; in others, sign programs are reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council. The applicant feels that the sign package they are proposing will address the impact of the bridge. Both staff and the applicant agree that the 50 foot sign now proposed is preferable to the 75 foot sign proposed earlier. As noted above, however, staff is concerned about the justification for a variance for the pylon sign but not the monument signs. The applicant is trying to address the impact of the bridge on the perceived desirability of the shopping center for tenants, and to offer better signage as an antidote. Staff does not see how the City could tell Silver Lake Plaza that their signage must be no higher than 35 feet, • and no larger than 340 feet high, if across the street, Mounds View Square is given a variance for a sign 50 feet in height and 430 square feet, when the sign will not be seen above the bridge. We feel the best way to address the pylon sign is either: • reducing it to fit within the City's current regulations (and closer to the size of the signs at the Crystal Center and Northway Center, or • amend the Sign Code to change the amount of signage allowed for larger-sized shopping centers • amend the Sign Code to allow for sign programs Staff Recommendation: We recommend that this item be discussed at your November 6 meeting, but a decision be deferred until your November 20 meeting. We need more information from the applicant on the following: 1. A specific proposal for Mounds View Square Shopping Center showing the dimensions of the pylon sign and the monument signage at the driveway entrances and on the corner of Highway 10 and Long Lake Road. •