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f Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 16, 1997 Page 8 1 Mr. Sarna stated that most of those signs include letters. His sign would include numbers and 2 three rows. He noted that even a 6 foot by 8 foot is small for a gas station sign. 3 Commissioner Gondorchin explained that may be one reason why pylon signs are allowed for 4 gas stations. 5 Commissioner Franzese noted that one advantage for Mr. Sarna is that no other businesses in 6 that area are lit at night. There is no visual competition at night. 7 Commissioner Horst stated this proposal is against the Sign Ordinance guidelines which the 8 City has been working to establish for the last several years. 9 Motion by Commissioner Horst to recommend denial of the variance request for Stop `N Go 10 Service Station, 2400 - 37th Avenue N.E. 11 Commissioner Makowske asked if the motion included both variance requests. 12 Commissioner Horst stated that in many respects allowing a gas station to have a ground sign 13 and a pylon sign was providing them with an advantage over other businesses in terms of 14 signage. The fact that the ground sign is not as big as the owner would like is not a hardship. 15 The Planning Commission is charged with finding a hardship to grant the variance and that 16 hardship cannot be financial. He stated it would be difficult to prove a hardship for both 17 variance requests. He stated he was in favor of changing the orientation of the pylon sign and 18 the addition of a ground sign which was in compliance with the Sign Ordinance. 19 Mr. Sarna stated he would be happy to keep the pylon sign if the telephone poles and stop 20 lights were removed. 21 Commissioner Horst stated that this is not a unique situation and is not caused by a City 22 Ordinance. These are criteria that the Planning Commission needs to address. 23 Chair Bergstrom asked if it would meet the intent of Commissioner Horst's motion to 24 recommend approval of the variance if it included the removal of the pylon sign and 25 replacement with two ground signs whose size was in compliance with the Sign Ordinance. 26 Commissioner Horst stated he still had concerns with the hardship issue. He noted that the 27 request was desirable but questioned if it was necessary. 28 Commissioner Gondorchin asked Mr. Sarna if he was agreeable to removal of the pylon and 29 replacement with two ground signs which were within the 68 square foot requirement. 30 Mr. Sarna stated the ground signs would be too small. 31 Commissioner Gondorchin asked if the pylon sign could be lowered or the configuration 32 changed.