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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 07311979 a Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIII IIIIIIII 105999 Box: 36 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1979 Document: PL MINUTES 07311979 T CITY OF ST. ANTHONY • PLANNING BOARD MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING July 31 , 1979 The meeting was called to order at 7 : 07 p.m. by Chairman Pro Tem Rymarchick. Present for roll call : Bjorklund, Jones , Sopcinski , Bowerman, Enrooth, and Rymarchick. Absent: Marks . Also present: Jim Fornell , City Manager Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant Before the Board began their review of the Comprehensive Plan, they were asked to consider a request of a signage variance for the pro- posed Sibley Catalog Showroom building at 3701 Stinson Boulevard. After a brief discussion concerning the legality of the considera- tion at a non-regularly scheduled meeting, it was agreed that the matter is an administrative procedure, legal , and that the Board would be willing to hear the request at this time due to a time element problem which it would otherwise cause Sibley in light of their proposed September 1 opening date. Mr. James Ruvelson of Ruvelson and Associates , a sign consultant firm, presented the proposal on behalf of Sibley. Also present was Donald S . Mears, representing Sibley Catalog. Mr. Ruvelson outlined the proposal which called for the utilization of two existing blank signs (facing north and east) and the erection of another sign to the west. The dimensions and square footage of these signs would be north 60x12=720; east 40x8=320 ; west 5x25=125 , for a total requested square footage of 1165 . In a July 25, 1979 memorandum to the Board, the Administrative Assistant stated the staff' s opinion regarding allowable square footage was 270 . Mr. Ruvelson cited the unique location of the building in question, and the fact that the floor area is 55,000 square feet, as miti- gating circumstances that should be considered in this variance proposal. He also stated the color scheme would be low key, i .e . , orange lettering on brown background. Mr. Ruvelson also stated that studies have shown that signage contributes up to 40 percent to a business and that should be considered in view of the depressed business history of this site. Mr. Jones was assured that with Sibley (along with Red Owl) the building would be fully occupied and therefore there would be no other requests for sign variances for this building. -2- In response to the question on how the proposed new sign ordinance might deal with the problem, Mr. Berg replied that although com- mercial square footage requirements have not been formulated, there would be no way that requests of this magnitude would be satisfied without a variance. Mr. Ruvelson agreed on the importance of a sign ordinance , but that the Board must have a gut feeling on what is proper judgment in special cases. It was the general consensus of the Board that the existing north-facing sign (60x12 at front door) was very unattractive and its continued use should not be encouraged. Mr. Ruvelson then asked if, because of the time frame problem, some temporary agreement could be reached with the City whereby the requested signage would be allowed for the opening date with the understanding that remodeling or acceptable signage would be erected later. Mr. Fornell felt, however, that this would involve staff and City Attorney time and that the matter would then still have to be resolved at a regularly scheduled meeting. In response to a request for a motion by Chairman Pro Tem Rymarchick, motion by Mr. Jones and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to recommerid the Council grant Sibley Catalog Showrooms a variance to place no more than 435 square feet of signage on the east-facing and west-facing facades of the build- ing with the understanding to approve signage for the north-facing facade not to exceed a total of 600 square feet of signage for the entire building. This approval is made in consideration of : the time frame problem created by the September 1 opening; the size (55, 000 square feet) ; only two tenants will be in this building and no more requests for signage will be forthcoming; 40 percent • of the business volume can be contributed to signage; the resulting positive impact on an area with a depressed business history; and total allowable sign square footage is disproportionate to that which would be allowed a smaller business operation. Following this motion, Mr. Jones also remarked that the City needs to show support to incoming businesses , that he believes that Sibley is concerned on the image it will project and that the proposed earthtone colors will be a tremendous improvement over the present signage. The Board also voiced its concern that no more than 15 percent of the east-facing wall would be occupied by signage since Red Owl already has signage on this side. It was agreed that this would not be the case. Chairman Rymarchick asked that the question be called. Voting on the question: Aye: Jones, Bjorklund, Rymarchick, Bowerman, Sopcinski, Enrooth. Nay: None. • -3- Voting on the Motion: • Aye: Jones, Bowerman , Sopcinski , Enrooth. Nay: Bjorklund, Rymarchick. Motion carried. Following the variance consideration, the Board reviewed with Mr. Bill Weber of B.R.W. , Inc. , the first section of the St. Anthony Comprehensive Plan (Inventory and Analysis) as presented by Mr. Weber. The Board made suggestions for certain revisions and up- dating of the section. It was thereafter agreed that a date for a future work session would be decided upon at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Motion by Mr. Jones and seconded by Mr. Bjorklund to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10 : 34 p.m. • Respectfully submitted, Ronald O. Berg Administrative Assistant ROB :pjr