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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 10, 2012 Page 3 1 Commission felt that the additional sign would lend clarity to the architecture, would clearly 2 mark the location of the entrance, and the combined square footage of the existing sign and the 3 proposed additional sign is under the maximum allowed by the City Code of 150 square feet. T 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 Mayor Faust felt that the building makes it look like two distinct businesses. He asked whether the existing and proposed signage would exceed the maximum signage allowed if this were in fact two businesses. Planning Commissioner Crone replied that it would not exceed the maximum of 150 square feet. Councihnember Jenson requested further information regarding the Planning Commission's analysis and reasons for recommending approval of the variance when the staff report indicates that the architect's design does not justify a hardship. Planning Commissioner Crone explained the Planning Commission concluded that the additional sign represented a reasonable use and recognized the clinic's interest to clearly have its patients understand the location of the entrance to the clinic. Councihnember Jenson felt that the word "entrance" should be rather intuitive for people entering the clinic. Planning Commissioner Crone agreed but the clinic is interested in something more architecturally complementary to its existing sign. Councihnember Jenson asked if the Planning Commission felt that was sufficient justification for determining a hardship. Planning Commissioner Crone reiterated that the existing signage and proposed sign do not exceed the maximum allowed and the Planning Commission felt this was an appropriate use. Mr. Richard Lang, Visual Communications, appeared before the City Council and presented a rendering of the proposed sign. Ile stated that patients corning to the clinic are under stress, ill, elderly, etc., and the front of the building does not clearly tell you where the entrance is located. He noted that the architecture has a large commanding brick area which naturally brings you to the center, away from the entrance location. He explained that the clinic's large existing sign needs to be readable from Highway 88 to create attention; however, the clinic is aware that this sign could mislead people at to the entrance. He stated the clinic wants to have a clear identification of its entrance and the non -illuminated entrance letters do not stand out well. He indicated the proposed sign is gray toned, is not overly illuminated, is functional, and has down lighting to light up the entrance letters and canopy below to clearly mark the entrance area. Councilmember Jenson asked if consideration was given to illuminating the current entrance sign. He also asked if any of the clinic's customers have been confused about the entrance location.