6.10. SR 05-20-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Memo to Mayor and City Council/CU 02-07 May 20, 2002 Page 2 building. On August 24, 2000 the applicant was issued a sign permit for a 9.75 square foot wall sign that reads "URGENT CARE". This is the only wall sign on the building. In June 1999 the City Council approved a conditional use permit for the medical building. At that time only the urgent care wall signage was proposed for the building. The applicant also has space on the existing freestanding signs. They are seeking to amend the PUD Agreement for Elk River Plaza to allow the three additional signs. The proposed sign facing Highway 169 is 2'6" tall by 20' long (50 sf.). It is an internally illuminated box sign that reads "North Memorial Health Plaza Urgent Care" The proposed sign facing Freeport Avenue will not be illuminated, consist of individual letters 24" tall and 36' long (72 sf.) and reads "Elk River Physicians". The proposed sign on the south side will also be internally illuminated letters 19.5" high and 6' long (9.75 sf.) and reads "Now Care". The total wall signage, including the existing sign and the two proposed signs, is 140.75 square feet. Analysis For comparison, the wall sign requirement for the C3 (Highway Commercial District) is up to 3 signs totaling 2 square feet of wall signage for every foot of linear building frontage. This building has 180 linear feet of building frontage, which would permit 300 square feet of wall signage if the property were zoned C3. Staff agrees with the applicant that the proposed additional signage is needed to identify the business from Highway 169 and Freeport Avenue. Planning Commission Meetin_g At the Planning Commission meeting held on April 23ra no one spoke at the public hearing. The applicant explained that the additional signage is needed because patients were having trouble finding the clinic. The freestanding sign along Highway 169 is partially obscured by the pine trees and the residential design of the building makes it difficult to identify it as a clinic. The Planning Commission agreed with the applicant and one Commissioner presented anecdotal support of the need for additional signage. While waiting in the waiting room he overheard someone call in asking for directions, it turns out the caller was in the parking lot. Recommendation The Planning Commission and staff recommend approval of the conditional use permit for the three additional wall signs with the following condition: 1. That the sign on the west side of the building facing Freeport Avenue not be illuminated. S:\PLANNING\Case Files\CU 02-07 North Memorial\CU02-07cc.doc