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2021 Elk River High School Stadium Improvements <br />Variance Request Narrative <br />This application is for variances for the height of structures in this project, the number of structures <br />included, and the quantity and dimensions of signage on those structures. These variances are required <br />because the property is zoned R1c. However, the project parameters exceeding the ordinances’ <br />allowances are integral to the function and support the activities of the project site as a High School. <br />Further, the proposed work is in keeping with the character of the existing structures on the site and <br />therefor does not violate the spirit of the applicable ordinances to maintain the look and feel of <br />residential zones of the city. <br />City ordinance for R1c zones allows for primary structures up to 40’ and accessory structures up to 15’. <br />The proposed project includes bleachers/press box that will top out at 38’, a ticketing/concessions <br />building with a roofline at 17’ and a wayfinding element at 22’, and team/storage buildings at 17’. These <br />structures exceed the allowable height for accessory structures but not for primary structures, and are <br />in keeping with heights of adjacent Elk River High School, Furniture and Things Community Event Center, <br />and VandenBerge Middle School. Further, these heights are necessary to the engineering and function <br />of these structures in their purposes in support of the athletics programs at Elk River High School. <br />Only 2 detached structures are permissible on a lot in R1c zones under city ordinance. The nature of the <br />High School program warrants flexibility of this requirement as activities are spread widely across the <br />site and structures supporting those activities must be convenient and accessible. The proposed <br />accessory structures are to be built of quality and durable materials including brick, masonry, and metal, <br />which are in keeping with the existing materials on the site and will maintain the aesthetic integrity of <br />the project. <br />Schools in R1c zones are allowed one free-standing sign and one wall sign up to 96 square feet total. This <br />projects proposes a main sign for the new stadium of 64 square feet, two (2) 20 square foot emblems on <br />the stadium wayfinding element, plus additional wayfinding signage for the ticketing and concessions <br />windows of 12 and 22 square feet, respectively, as well as a new sign on Elk River High School facing the <br />recently renovated parking lot. These signs, as shown on the submitted drawings, face either the main <br />parking lot or the interior of the site itself and are set back significantly from the roadway. Special <br />consideration should be given to signage needs as four destinations (Elk River High School, Furniture and <br />Things Community Center, Elk River High School Stadium, and VandenBerge Middle School) share such <br />close adjacency. These signs are critical to properly identifying individual buildings and reliably directing <br />visitors on the site.