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The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br /> <br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br />To <br />Board of Adjustments <br />Item Number <br />5.1 <br /> <br />Meeting Date <br />June 25, 2024 <br />Prepared By <br />Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner <br /> <br />Item Description <br />Variance: Freestanding Sign Size (Height and Area), <br />18823 Freeport St. NW - Holiday Gas Station <br />Reviewed by <br />Zack Carlton <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Deny, by motion, the sign size variance for the following reasons: <br />1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance is not met. <br />2. Installing a sign that exceeds the commercial zoning district limits by 80% and taller than the recently <br />established sigh height ordinance is not reasonable. <br />3. The interchange at Highway 169 and School Street is not a unique circumstance to the property as a <br />150 square foot sign would still be visible. <br />4. A sign that is 276 square feet would be the largest and tallest sign in the area and would alter the <br />essential character of the area. <br /> <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The property is zoned Highway Commercial (C3) which limits the height of freestanding signs to 40 feet <br />above the adjacent highway and the size of freestanding signs to 150 sq.ft. The applicant is requesting a <br />variance to exceed the allowed height and size of signage by 126 sq.ft. (144 sq.ft. main sign, 132 sq.ft. gas <br />pricing, 276 sq.ft. total). During construction of the interchange at Highway 169 and School Street, the <br />existing freestanding sign on the property was removed and has not yet been replaced. <br /> <br />The applicant completed a “flag test” to evaluate the proposed sign height and area. This information is <br />attached. <br /> <br />During the recent sign ordinance amendment discussions, the commission endorsed a minor increase in the <br />allowed heights for signs but were not supportive of an increase in sign sizes during those discussions. The <br />approved amendment limits sign heights to 40 feet above the adjacent highway grade. <br /> <br />Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that the variance satisfies all five of the criteria <br />described below. The variance is: <br /> <br />1. Is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance, and <br />The purpose and intent of the sign ordinance is to balance the advertising needs of the business community against <br />adverse effects on the public. The maximum sign size for commercial districts (C3) is 150 square feet and 40 feet <br />Page 7 of 31Page 280 of 389