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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-93 CITY OF LAKEVILLE SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 1993 The meeting was called to order by Chair Holberg at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Roll call. of members was taken. Present: Whitehouse, Luick, Steigerwalt, Holberg, Whittingham, Smith. Absent: Miller. Also present: Robert Erickson, City Administrator; Jim Walston, Assistant City Attorney; Michael Sobota, Community and Economic Development Director; Frank Dempsey, Associate Planner; Jeff Oliver, Assistant Engineer; Mira Holliday, Recording Secretary. ITEM 3 The public hearing to consider the applications of James White, John Harrison, Jr., and Cross Nurseries, Inc. for a variance for the setback of freestanding signs from Kenwood Trail on land located at 21034 Kenwood Trail, 20171 Icenic Trail, and 19774 Kenwood Trail was opened. The City Attorney attested that all legal notices had been duly published and mailed. • Frank Dempsey explained that MNDOT's widening of T.H. 50 will affect the sign locations of businesses located along the highway between Dadd Boulevard and Cross Nursery. As a means to facilitate the highway improvement and assist the affected businesses, the City previously agreed to support a one time variance from the required sign setbacks. Mr. Dempsey reviewed the planning report dated October 8, 1993 regarding Cross Nursery. He stated the proposed variance would allow a uniform sign. setback from the new T.H. SO right-of-way of five feet. He stated the sign proposed will be a total of 32 square feet mounted on 14 foot high wooden pasts. He stated staff recommends approval of the sign setback variance subject to three stipulations listed in the planning report. However, the height proposed by Mr. Crass is above the height restrictions in the R-A District of eight feet. Mr. Don Crass was present and explained his plans for the proposed sign. The Commission discussed the over-all appearance of the sign. Whitehouse stated he felt the two vertical portions above the sign should be eliminated. Holberg expressed her concern over the liability of the City for granting the variance should the sign be damaged. Staff indicated that if Mr. Cross wished to pursue a height variance, he would need to submit an application. There was no public comment. Mr. Dempsey reviewed the planning report dated October 8,1993 regarding the sign variance for White Funeral Home. He stated the proposed variance would allow a sign setback from the new T.I-1.50 right-of-way of five feet. • PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 1993 PAGE 2 He stated the new White Funeral Home sign is proposed to be a ground mounted 48 square foot sign set on a foundation set four feet above the ground. He stated staff recommends approval of the sign setback variance subject to three stipulations listed in the planning report. The Commission held a brief discussion. There was no public comment. Mr. Dempsey reviewed the planning report dated October $,1993 regarding the sign variance for Harrison Dental Building. He stated the Harrison sign is not proposed to be moved from the existing location, as the existing setback from the T.H. 50 right-of-way is 13.87 feet. This would require a variance of only two feet. He stated staff recommends approval. of the sign setback variance subject to three stipulations listed in the planning report. Dr. Harrison was present to answer questions of the Commission. The Commission held a brief discussion. There was no public comment. .93.156 Motion was made by Steigerwalt, seconded by Smith to close the public • hearing. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. 93.157 Motion was made by Steigerwalt, seconded by Whittingham to recommend approval of the application of James White for a variance for the setback. of a freestanding sign located at 21034 Kenwood Trail subject to the planning report dated October 8, 1993. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. 93.158 Motion was made by Steigerwalt, seconded by Smith to recommend :approval of the application of John Harrison,: Jr. for a variance for the setback of a freestanding sign located at 20171 Icenic Trail subject to the planning .report dated October 8, 1993. Roli call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. 93.159 Motion was made by Steigerwalt, seconded by Luick to recommend approval of the application of Cross Nurseries for a variance to the setback of a free standing sign located at 19774 Kenwood Trail subject to the planning report dated October 8, 1993. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. • i . FLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 1993 PAGE 3 ITEM 4 The public hearing to consider the application of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for a variance for the height of a freestanding sign on land located on the west side of Kenyon Avenue at Kenwood Trail was opened. The City Attorney attested that all legal notices had been duly published and mailed. Frank Dempsey presented an overview of the proposed variance to allow a pylon sign to exceed the maximum permitted height of 30 feet, outlining the planning report dated October 8,1993. He discussed other sign heights in the Freeway Corridor District. Michael Sobota discussed a test document by Elrod and Company illustrating the visibility of the pylon sign from Interstate 35 approaches .based upon the 30 foot maximum allowed by City Ordinance. The test included the use of a crane with attached red flag targets at heights ranging from 10 to 90 feet in 10 foot increments. Visibility tests were conducted on the northbound and southbound lanes on I-35 and the southeast and northwest approaches of T.H. 50. He discussed the visibility of the sign at various heights. As a result of the target test study, it was concluded by the • applicant that the minimum sign height necessary for Cracker Barrel is 60 feet. Mr. Dempsey stated that staff recommends approval of a maximum sign height of SO feet based on the target data and the guidelines set forth in the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Les Taylor representing Cracker Barrel discussed the need fora 60 foot sign, stating it could be a safety issue in relation to motorists trying to exit the freeway. Mr. Taylor stated that the top of the target did not indicate that the entire sign would be visible at that height. The Commission held a discussion which included the height/size of other signs in the area and the study conducted by Elrod and Company. The general feeling of the Commission was that a variance fora 60 foot sign, from a safety standpoint, was warranted. 93.160 Motion was made by Whitehouse, seconded by Steigerwalt to close the public hearing. Rall call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. 93.161 Motion was made by Whittingham, seconded by Smith to recommend approval of the application of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for a variance to allow a freestanding sign with a height of 60 feet on land located on the west • side of Kenyon Avenue at Kenwood Trail Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. • PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 1993. PAGE 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 93.162 Motion was made by Smith, seconded by Whittingham to direct staff to contact ISD 194 regarding the installation of temporary fencing and . landscaping around the storm pond at the high school site. Roll call was taken an the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. Chair Holberg adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted: 0 ira Holliday, e ording Secr ATTEST: • ~ M iz l rg, Chair