5.3. SR 03-19-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case File: OA 07-03 Page 3 PUD Amendment Mississippi Ridge ILC As previously mentioned the commercial lots within the Mississippi Ridge PUD are allowed one monument style sign, 10 feet in height, 100 square feet in area. If this development were zoned C-3 these parcels would be allowed one 150 square foot sign 35 feet in height. If the property has more than 300 feet of frontage (as this property does) then two of these signs are permitted. It appears the PUD agreement was established to enhance this development, beyond the established area requirements. Building materials, signage, lighting are more restticted than other, generally zoned areas of the City. The addition of a second sign, while taken at face value is not terribly egregious, it is inconsistent with the original PUD agreement. There has been some concern on the Planning Commission and City Council level regarding the reduction of standards with PUD agreements, most notably the recent Elk Ridge Center development. Staff's alternative to the proposal - The applicant is requesting a deviation from the PUD agreement that is consistent with the sign ordinance, but not consistent with the PUD agreement. As an alternative to this second sign, the Ordinance does permit a development identification sign that would accomplish the same goals as the proposed sign. The development sign could include sign panels for the bank, Super America and Lot 4, or other lots within the development, provided signage is limited to 16 square feet, but can be 24 feet in height. If a development sign is provided then it would seem appropriate to allow each lot to have a monument sign that meets the design guidelines. Similar commercial developments in the city have a development sign and a monument sign. However, although staff views this alternative as the better solution to the signage goals in Mississippi Ridge, staff is uncomfottable recommending approval at this time due to the sign moratorium that the City Council currently has in place. The moratorium prohibits the issuance of building permits for new or existing advertising signs and electtonic changeable copy, as defined by the Elk River Code of Ordinances. The proposed sign is considered an advertising sign by definition (off premise sign for Lot 4) and has time and temperature proposed. Planninl!: Commission The Planning Commission held a public hearing on this item at the regular March 13,2007 meeting. The applicant and nearby residents spoke at the hearing, the residents are in favor of the sign as proposed. Some members of the Planning Commission did not have any issues with the sign itself, rather the moratorium that has been placed on signs. A couple members recalled recent discussions on PUD's and that keeping within the POD standards are necessary. Recommendation It is inappropriate to recommend approval for this sign until the Planning Commission and City Council have completed their work relative to the sign moratorium. Therefore, Staff and the Planning Commission recommend denial of the ordinance change, pending completion of the moratorium study. Respe~l Submitted. i ----; 1lM1ev CVlll/l1D1 M Sheila Cartney I' ""'" r Senior Planner S:\PLANNING\Case Files\OA\OA 07-03 Mississippi Ridge signage\pC report 313 07.doc