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request: currently, "animated" and/or"flashing" signs are prohibited in the city code. • The Planning Commission has proposed to study the electronic sign ordinance, suggesting. changes to potentially allow for some electronic signs, even if its at the public level only. The reason the issue has risen to the surface is not only per this Walgreens request, but also because of the City's interest in locating an electronic monument sign in front of the City Hall/Community Center facility. The Planning Commission would like Council direction as.it relates to this issue. Here's more details about the Walgreens proposed electronic sign: the two electronic lines are 8 inches high each, which equates to 13.33 square feet per side at 10 feet wide. The total proposed ground sign is 8 feet high, with 5 feet of electronic copy area on top of a 3 feet base. The petitioner does not propose berming beneath the base. City code states that ground signs may not exceed 8 feet in total height, with base, copy area, and berming. The petitioner meets this criteria. The petitioner has stated the electronic sign has the capability of displaying more than one font; however, the sign can be limited to one style if that is the City's preference. The color of the lettering for the electronic portion of the sign is red. The petitioner has acknowledged the electronic sign's ability to flash and the city's code on prohibiting flashing signs. The petitioner has stated to have the "sign change at no more than five- minute intervals, or some other time period that is acceptable to the City." The petitioner suggests this could be written in the development agreement, if the City is agreeable to the electronic sign. The Planning Commission tied 3-3 on a motion to.approve the 100 square foot sign without the electronic component. The Commissioners had_difficulty in defining hardship to` allow for the electronic sign. Therefore, since the sign variance was not approved, it was essentially denied even though there was some sentiment to approve the copy area portion of the sign variance request. (4) Conditional Use Permit: The petitioner is requesting a conditional use permit for a two-lane drive-thru pharmacy for the north side of the building. According to the plan, the 15-foot drive aisle meets the City's requirements. According to the petitioner, the drive-thru is for drop-off and pick-up of prescriptions only. The Police and Fire Departments have reviewed the plans from a public safety perspective. The Fire Department requests a wall separation between the dumpster area and the attic area between the store and canopy. The petitioner has stated there will be a full block masonry wall. The Planning Commission passed the motion approving the conditional use permit with stipulations listed on page 10 of their December 19, 2000, minutes. Additional Issues: (1) Stormwater Pond: The City Engineer has requested a stormwater water retention pond on the site due to the requirements of the 1998 Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan. The petitioner has been agreeable in doing so (see Sigma engineering plans and City Engineer Todd Hubmers' written comments from December 7 and 19, 2000). (2) Site Lighting: The petitioner plans for lighting complimentary to city design standards, and has been working with the City Engineer on this. Most of the parking lot lighting will be shoebox lighting; in addition, some decorative lighting is planned (see site plan and lighting detail/specifications). At the neighborhood meeting, the issue of site lighting came up as it relates to keeping the garbage area to the rear of the building for safety purposes. The petitioner plans to do this.