7.2. SR 05-18-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Project Narrative -- Sign Variance - GATR Truck Center Company Background GATR Truck Center is a full service heavy and medium truck dealership which began in 1952. Purchased in 2000 by owner Bob Neitxke, GATR currently has three locations: Sauk Rapids, MN, Cedar Rapids, IA and Des Moines, IA, which employs approximately 200 people, with wages ranging from $12 to $100 an hour. GATR Truck Center sells and leases trucks throughout the United States and offers competitive financing packages for consumers. GATR offers an extensive parts department, exceeding $1 million in inventory and offering parts for cars, up to Class 8 trucks. All three locations offer well - trained, technicians, backed by their extensive parts departments, body shops and full service detailing facility. Roughly 30✓¢ of their business is through the sale of new trucks (fleets), and 70% is the sale of new trucks to individual owners. Highway visibility is crucial to the success of GATR's operations. Having served the trucking industry for over 50 years, GATR Truck. Center was named Volvo Dealer of the Year in 2004, 2011 and 2012, and Volvo Parts Dealer of the Year in 2013. GATR prides themselves in their service; company culture is second to none and GATR attributes their success to the people they employ. They differentiate themselves from their competitors through the exceptional service they provide to their customers. Proposed Project With their rapid growth, GATR Truck Center is looking to open a location in the City of Elk River. GATR Truck Center is proposing to build an approximately 42,000 square foot facility in the 2 "d phase of Nature's Edge Business Center. This location would offer new and used truck sales, rental, leasing, parts and service. GATR anticipates having 100 -150 trucks in inventory, with periodical customer and service trailers stored on the lot. The plan also depicts room for an approximately 7,500 sq. ft. area to the east of the proposed project, to be used for additional service area. GATR anticipates building this expansion within the next 5 -10 years. Proposed Building Materials The building is proposed to be a combination of architectural glass, metal accent siding, EPS- Energy Lok Insulated Wall Panel System, will comply with all city ordinances and complement surrounding buildings in the area. Signage — Variance Request — 50' Height Pylon Sign The project will have one freestanding 50' High pylon sign on the southwest corner of the property. Section 30 -871. C -3 Highway Commercial District allows one freestanding sign of 30' in height. The signage fits well into the industrial /commercial district that surrounds the site and does not require a message board because of the extended height and sleek design. Our request is to increase that sign and it's height to 50' to allow outstanding view lines from Highway 10 for customer's and their vehicles traveling both north and south of Highway 10. This site is approximately 1100' — 1200' away from vehicle lanes along Highway 10. Truck traffic and easy location of the dealership is a high priority for drivers /customers and their access to the dealership.