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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 />City Council <br />Item Number <br />7.1 <br /> <br />Meeting Date <br />July 15, 2024 <br />Prepared By <br />Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner <br /> <br />Item Description <br />Variance: Freestanding Sign Size, 18823 Freeport St. <br />NW - Holiday Gas Station <br />Reviewed by <br />Zack Carlton <br />Cal Portner <br />Tina Allard <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Direct staff, by motion, to prepare a resolution making Findings of Fact denying the sign size (area) variance <br />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 ~180% is not reasonable. <br />3. The interchange at Highway 169 and School Street is not a unique circumstance requiring a sign larger <br />than the 150 square feet that is currently permitted. <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 size of freestanding signs to 150 sq.ft. The <br />applicant has requested a variance to exceed the permitted sign size of signage by 126 sq.ft. (144 sq.ft. main <br />sign, 132 sq.ft. gas pricing, 276 sq.ft. total). During the construction of the interchange at Highway 169 and <br />School Street, the existing freestanding sign on the property was removed and has not yet been replaced. <br /> <br />During their June 25, 2024, meeting, the Board of Adjustments (BOA) denied the variance for an increase in <br />sign size and as a result, the request was automatically appealed to the City Council for consideration. The <br />BOA did approve the request for an increase in signage height to 50' above the adjacent grade of Highway <br />169. <br /> <br />The Board noted that they had discussed increasing sign heights during the recent sign ordinance amendment <br />discussion, but did not support an increase to the allowed sign area. They did not believe the request satisfied <br />the ordinance requirements. <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 />Page 278 of 389