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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-2001 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 19, 2001 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m., September 19, 2001. _______________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Hegland, Stevenson, Johnson, Zwirn, Miller, and Scotch. Members Excused: Kaden (on leave). Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson and Planner Atkinson. ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Planning Case No. DE01-004 2 Applicant: Clear Channel Outdoor Location: Staff Reports/Items of Information 5 Chairperson and Planning Commission Reports 5 _______________________________________________________________________ 3. Approval of Minutes: a. June 6, 2001 b. August 1, 2001 MOTION/SECOND: Miller/Scotch. To Approve the Minutes for June 6, 2001 and August 1, 2001 as presented. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission September 19, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda There were no resident comments on items not on the agenda. ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case No. DE01-004 Community Development Director Ericson explained that this is a request to expand the existing billboard on the north side of County Highway 10. He noted that, as it sits currently, the billboard is 300 square feet. He then noted that the applicant has requested approval to expand the billboard to the next standardized size which is 672 square feet. Director Ericson further noted that the billboard is nonconforming due to its location and said that allowing expansion of the billboard will not increase the nonconformity. Director Ericson explained that staff has reviewed the matter and feels that improving the sign’s aesthetics is in the best interest of the City and the improved appearance of the Highway 10 corridor. Director Ericson reviewed the Resolution drafted by Staff with the Commission and outlined the conditions under which the expansion of the billboard would be allowed. He further noted that the applicant would be required to place the utilities under ground, identify the species to be planted and have that reviewed by the City Forester, obtain the necessary wetland alteration permits from the City and, if necessary, Rice Creek Watershed District, and negotiate an acceptable easement with the City. Director Ericson noted that Mr. McCarver and Mr. Cronin from Clear Channel Outdoor were in attendance if the Commission had any questions. Chair Stevenson indicated that the Planning Commission does not want the billboard located on the property but noted that the applicant has an easement in perpetuity that will allow the billboard to remain on the location indefinitely. He then said, in light of the easement in perpetuity, the Planning Commission feels it is in the best interest of the City to allow for the expansion and improvement of the billboard to improve the aesthetics of the sign. Chair Stevenson requested that the actual dimensions of the sign be added to the Resolution. Director Ericson indicated that he would include in the Resolution a condition that the height of the sign will not be increased nor will the sign encroach any closer to the property line than it is now. Commissioner Scotch inquired as to whether trees would be removed in order to lengthen the billboard. Mounds View Planning Commission September 19, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 ________________________________________________________________________ Mr. Cronin explained that some trees would need to be removed to make room for the sign but noted the trees to be removed are poplar trees and not significant trees. He then explained that there would be wildflowers, shrubs that are between six and eight feet tall, and the existing trees behind the billboard. Commissioner Scotch indicated she feels the sign is large enough as it stands and then asked the applicant if it were possible to improve the appearance of the sign and reduce the expansion amount. Mr. Cronin indicated that the Company is stuck because the signs come in standard sizes and said that any special or custom sized billboard would be very costly. He then indicated that he feels the Company has done everything it can do to improve the appearance of the sign and make the sign as unobtrusive as a billboard can be. Commissioner Scotch indicated she thought the Company had three sizes of signs. Mr. Cronin indicated the Company used to have a 10.5 x 36 sign but indicated that size is being phased out. Commissioner Scotch questioned whether the vinyl wrap type sign was new, as that was her impression from the previous meeting. Mr. McCarver from Clear Channel Outdoor indicated that the monument type base for the sign is new for the Company, not the vinyl wrap signs. Commissioner Scotch indicated that she was aware of how much the Company makes off of its billboards and indicated that, even if the sign were smaller, the Company would still do very well. Mr. McCarver agreed with Commissioner Scotch that it makes sense for the Company to expand and improve the sign. He then indicated that the improved aesthetics are costly and said the Company is counting on the expanded billboard to offset the costs of the improved aesthetics. Commissioner Johnson asked if Walgreens was notified and then questioned whether the expanded sign would affect the line of sight for Walgreens. Commissioner Scotch indicated she did not feel the sign would obstruct the line of sight for Walgreens but said she felt the sign is very large and could be smaller. Commissioner Johnson indicated that billboards are big and said he feels it is better to have a nice looking big billboard than an ugly existing billboard. Director Ericson indicated that Walgreens was not notified and indicated that there was no requirement to do so. He then indicated that he did not feel the sign would negatively impact Walgreens. Mounds View Planning Commission September 19, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Mr. McCarver indicated the sign base is five feet high from grade to the top of the cap. Mr. Cronin expressed appreciation for the opportunity to improve the sign and indicated that the Company understood the conditions that staff has recommended and fully accepts those. He then respectfully requested that the Planning Commission move to adopt the Resolution recommending approval to the City Council. Commissioner Hegland expressed concern that allowing this expansion of the billboard would set the City up to be required to allow an expansion at some point in the future. Mr. McCarver indicated that the sign structure is 55 feet wide but noted the copy is only 48 feet long. He further explained that due to OSHA requirements there needs to be a three-foot catwalk around the perimeter of the sign. He then suggested that the Resolution be amended to reflect that the Company is limited to a copy size of 48 feet for clarification. Mr. McCarver then indicated that the Company could not build a 20 x 60 sign anymore because the state only allows 1000 square feet for billboards. Commissioner Hegland indicated he would like the Resolution to indicate the maximum copy size of 48 feet. Director Ericson indicated that the maximum square footage for billboards in the City is 700 square feet eliminating the possibility for future expansion of the sign. Commissioner Scotch asked what was behind the trees. Director Ericson indicated that there was a trail that cuts along and adjacent to the new storm water pond and directly behind the trees are more trees and a wetland area. Commissioner Miller asked whether a Rice Creek Watershed Permit was required. Director Ericson indicated he was not sure whether a Rice Creek Watershed permit would be required and noted it was the responsibility of the applicant to find out. He then indicated that a City wetland alteration permit is required. Commissioner Zwirn pointed to an open area on the drawing of the billboard and questioned how the applicant intended to prevent people from congregating in the hidden area. Mr. Cronin indicated that the Company’s landscaper suggested that gooseberry bushes be planted there because they are very thorny. MOTION/SECOND: Johnson/Miller. To Approve Resolution 673-01, a Resolution Recommending Approval to Council of the Development Review to Expand the Existing Billboard on City-owned Property North of County Highway 10. Mounds View Planning Commission September 19, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Chair Stevenson commended Clear Channel Outdoor on its efforts to start a relief fund for the victims of the terrorist attack out east. He then said the contribution the Company made and the ongoing effort to raise funds for the relief effort should be commended. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Staff Reports a. Previous Council Action Community Development Director Ericson reported that Council held a public hearing to discuss the County H2 improvements. He then noted that Council had determined that more resident input was required. Director Ericson indicated that the City is holding a Highway 10 corridor project team meeting at City Hall on October 10, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. He also noted that there would be a public meeting held on October 15, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Director Ericson indicated that the City is hoping to have a design for the corridor to present to Ramsey County by the end of the year. ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners’ Reports None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Next Planning Commission Meeting: October 3, 2001 ______________________________________________________________________________ 9. Adjournment There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.