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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 />Request for Action <br /> <br />To <br />Board of Adjustments <br />Item Number <br />5.1 <br /> <br />Meeting Date <br />September 23, 2025 <br />Prepared By <br />Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner <br /> <br />Item Description <br />Variance: Front Yard Sign Setback, James Rossman - <br />404 Main St NW <br />Reviewed by <br />Zack Carlton <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Approve a 4.5 foot front yard setback variance, allowing construction of a freestanding sign for the following <br />reasons: <br />1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance are met. <br />2. The property has a Land Use of Neighbor Commercial, and the use is consistent with the <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br />3. The proposed use is reasonable and is otherwise permitted in the zoning ordinance. <br />4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the property, not a consequence of the <br />petitioner’s own action or inaction. <br />5. The variance will not alter the essential character of the locality. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The applicant is requesting a variance to reduce the required setback by 4.5 feet, for a freestanding sign. <br /> <br />The subject property is located at 404 Main Street where freestanding signs are required to be 10 feet from <br />the front property line. The applicant is requesting this variance due to existing conditions created by the <br />building and large utility box recently constructed west of the subject property. That building was previously <br />granted a variance reducing, also reducing the front yard setback. Without the variance, the visibility of the <br />sign for eastbound motorist is less than pre-construction conditions. <br /> <br />Applicable Regulations <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 />1. Is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance, and <br />The requested variance is consistent with the intent of the ordinance, which seeks to balance reasonable use <br />of property and maintaining functionality. The reduced setback will allow a sign in a location that improves <br />visibility, hindered by the neighboring property, and does not negatively impact the adjoining properties. <br /> <br />2. Is consistent with the City of Elk River comprehensive plan. <br />Page 6 of 84