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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes April 16, 2002 Page 4 1 Commission would seek further input from this applicant in the future. 2 3 Motion carried unanimously. 4 5 8.2 Apache Animal Medicine, P.A.;250137" Avenue NE: sign variance request for one 6 additional ground sign. 7 Chair Melsha opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. 8 9 Susan Henry stated that Apache Animal Medicine, P.A., owner of the commercially 10 zoned property at 2501 37`" Avenue Northeast, is requesting a sign variance for an 11 additional ground sign. She noted that Apache Animal Medicine currently has one 12 ground sign that was installed earlier this year. They are asking for another ground sign 13 for identification purposes because of two distinct businesses located in one building. 14 This request requires a variance because City code states that one principal structure of a 15 parcel of land is allowed one ground sign, regardless of the number of tenants in the 16 building. 17 18 Henry explained that Apache Animal Medicine states an additional ground sign would 19 relieve an undue hardship and correct extraordinary circumstances. .In particular, the 20 applicant points to preexisting setbacks and the railroad, forcing two entrances. Also the 21 applicant mentions the need to maintain separation between healthy pets (Apache 22 Grooming and Boarding) and potentially ill pets (Apache_Animal__Hospital)--with two 23 entrances. Finally, the applicant states they want to be able to clearly tell clients where 24 the entrances are with safety concerns regarding traffic on 37' Avenue. 25 26 Henry advised that according to City code, ground signs must be affixed to the ground by 27 means of a base with no visibility between the bottom of the sign and the base on which 28 it is attached, and landscaped to enhance the appearance of the signage. The sign was 29 originally open, as drawn on the plans, and city staff asked the applicant to fill in the gap, 30 as code requires. Since that time the applicant has taken care of this. 31 32 Henry recommended approval of the variance request/additional ground sign on the 33 contingency that the current sign on the property be brought up to city code by filling in 34 the gap between the bottom of the sign and the base to which it is attached with agreed 35 upon materials. The second ground sign approved with this variance should be built 36 identically to the first sign. In addition, the applicant must meet all other code 37 requirements as it relates to ground signs. 38 39 Ray Ogrin, representative for Apache Animal Medicine, thanked Ms. Henry for her 40 presentation. He noted they are requesting these signs to present a clear separation 41 between the healthy and sick animals to this site. Mr. Ogrin stated this would help 42 resolve traffic issues along 37`"Avenue as well. 43 44 Commissioner Steeves asked how much sign area was allowed for a building this size. 45 Henry stated up to 64 square feet was allowed on this site and noted they were requesting 46 a 48 square foot sign as a part of the per ground additional sign/variance. 47