7.1. SR 08-19-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Granite Shores Permanent Sign Application Appeal of Zoning Decision Application Project Narrative Sign Application Process In early March 2013, Granite Shores and its representatives began discussions with city staff in regard to the construction of a freestanding sign in front of Granite Shores, 633 Main Street, downtown Elk River. The conversations with staff and Decklan Group (representing Granite Shores), resulted in a disagreement as to what is allowed as signage in the Downtown District (DD). Elk River staff has taken the position that freestanding signs are not permitted in the DD despite the fact that they are not listed as a "Prohibited Sign" in Sec. 30-872 of Elk River City Code. Decklan Group asserts that freestanding signs are not listed among the five specifically prohibited sign types in Sec. 30-872 and are therefore allowed within the DD. On March 20, 2013, Decklan Group met with Deputy Community Operations and Development Director Jeremy Barnhart to obtain clarification on the zoning ordinance and to outline the process moving forward to construct the sign. Mr. Barnhart instructed Decklan Group to first apply for a sign permit. He indicated city staff would deny the application based upon their abstract interpretation of unrecorded prohibitions within Elk River City Code. Mr. Barnhart went on to suggest that upon receiving the letter of denial from city staff, Decklan Group could file an appeal of the decision, thus placing the burden of facts in front of the seven member Board of Adjustments to overturn staff's decision. Decklan Group accepted this as part of the approval process and confirmed with Mr. Barnhart that a completed sign application would be submitted at a future date. During the March 20th meeting parties also discussed the materials and design of the proposed freestanding sign. Decklan Group outlined that the sign would be designed and constructed to directly reflect and mimic recent City projects in the DD completed in 2005 (River's Edge Commons Park, Kiosk, Plaza, and Gazebo) , as well as meeting and exceeding the minimum DD Design Standards as set forth in Sec. 30-1026 in Elk River City Code. Staff agreed that the proposed materials and design were within the DD Architectural Standards and Guidelines per subsection (f) Sec. 30-1026 of Elk River City Code. On May 3, 2013, Decklan Group submitted a permanent sign application for a freestanding sign to be located at 633 Main Street, downtown Elk River. Decklan Group received a letter of denial from Park Planner/Planner Chris Leeseberg, dated May 8, 2013, which indicated that new freestanding or monument signs are not allowed as a permitted, conditional or accessory use, and that this could only be changed by amendment of Section 30-872 of the zoning ordinance to allow freestanding or monument signs in the downtown district. Granite Shores- Appeal of Zoning Decision Narrativ ��I