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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 10, 2012 Page 4 I Mr. Lang replied that when the clinic applied for the variance, they were told they could not 2 illuminate those letters because they are directional and used for way finding. He stated he did 3 not know if any of the clinic's customers have been confused about the entrance location. Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution 12 -015; To Deny a Variance to the Sign Ordinance to Allow a Second Identification Sign for Hennepin County Medical Clinic at the Market Place Shopping Center. 9 Councilmember Gray acknowledged that there may be confusion, but felt that the existing 10 entrance sign was sufficient. He did not feel the request met the requirements for approving a 11 variance based on the facts, even based on a most liberal reading of the requirements. 12 13 Councilmember Stille stated that this shopping center made great use of the property to the 14 extent that there is no place for monument signs. He felt that the property is unique, there is not 15 a typical ability to have a monument sign on the site, and this is a unique situation where a large 16 tenant occupies space designed for two or three businesses. He understood how a patient who is 17 impaired, sick, or elderly could be confused about the entrance location and felt it may be 18 beneficial to have more clarity regarding the sign. He stated that if there were two distinct 19 businesses at this location there would be two signs in place. He added that this situation is more 20 unique than originally thought and he would not support the motion on the table. 21 22 Councilmember Roth stated he would not support the motion on the table. 23 24 Mayor Faust stated this happens to be one business with two visually distinct frontages. He 25 stated that the hardship was not created by the owner because they did not construct the building. 26 He did not feel the essential character of the locality would be altered if the variance were 27 granted, noting that if this were two businesses the variance would not be required. He stated 28 that economic considerations alone are not the basis of the practical difficulties. He felt that the 29 circumstances causing the practical difficulty are unique to the individual lot. He also felt that 30 the granting of the variance would be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Code 31 and Comprehensive Land Use Plan. He stated he did not know if the property could be put to a 32 reasonable use without the variance, adding that in order to organize the clinic's space, they 33 needed the entrance to be located on one side, hence the other entrance which looks normal to 34 the eye would not appear to be reasonable. He advised that he would not support the motion on 35 the table. 36 37 Councilmember Gray stated he was not sure that the additional sign will make it any clearer 38 where the entrance is located. He added it would be helpful to know whether the clinic has had 39 any problems or complaints from customers. 40 41 _Motion failed 2 -3 (Roth Stille and Faust opposed) 42 43 Motion by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve Resolution 12- 44 015; To Approve a Variance to the Sign Ordinance to Allow a Second Identification Sign for 45 Hennepin County Medical Clinic at the Market Place Shopping Center. 46