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Mounds View Planning Commission March 18, 2015 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda <br /> <br />None. <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />5. Planning Cases <br /> <br />A. VR2015-001 Variance Request to Exceed Allowed Ground Sign Height <br /> Applicant: George Winiecki, WIN Insurance Agency <br /> Address: 2704 County Road 10 <br /> <br />Planning Associate Heller indicated the applicant, George Winiecki, owner of 2704 County Road <br />10, is requesting a variance to allow the existing ground sign to be expanded 4.5 feet, to 20.5 feet <br />tall. The Zoning Code indicates that no ground sign in a business district may exceed 16 feet in <br />height. She stated according to the Municipal Code, Section 1008.09, Subdivision 3, ground <br />signs are limited to a height of no more than 16 feet without a variance. The applicant owns the <br />building at 2704 County Road 10 and operates his insurance agency here. He also rents some of <br />the building to a few different tenants who have their business information on the sign. <br /> <br />Associate Heller reported that Mr. Winiecki has an existing ground sign that is 16.5 feet tall with <br />a brick base. He wants to reconfigure the sign panels and possibly add an electronic sign. Since <br />his ground sign meets the current sign code in regards to it already having masonry on it, Mr. <br />Winiecki can change more than just the panels on his sign. He intends to keep the existing brick <br />base and expand the sign frame taller, and just change the sizes of the individual businesses sign <br />panels. He feels that in order to best meet his and his tenant’s sign needs, the ground sign should <br />be four feet taller. The applicant’s sign is currently 104 square feet, within the allowed 200 <br />square feet. The sign could instead be widened and then would not need a variance. The cost to <br />change the sign base and frame in order to support a wider sign is high, and the applicant has <br />chosen to apply for a height variance instead. It was noted staff does not support the request. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. <br /> <br />George Winiecki, the applicant, read a statement to the Commission noting it was his choice to <br />request a sign change. He provided comment on the importance of company logos and brand <br />recognition. He discussed the benefit of working with a local insurance agent along with the <br />numerous products he provided. He advised how small businesses were under attack and then <br />reviewed a mock-up of the new ground sign. He respectfully requested that the Commission <br />consider approving his sign request in order for him to further his business and the businesses <br />within his building. <br /> <br />Commissioner Carvelli-Yu asked if the current ground sign was lit. <br /> <br />Mr. Winiecki reported that the sign was lit, but that several bulbs were in need of replacement. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m.