5.8. SR 06-21-2004MEMORANDUM
Item
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Chris Leeseberg, Planner~__~
June 21, 2004
Case No. V 04-04
Request by Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorder Clinic
for a Variance for Additional Signage.
~5.8.
Request
The applicant requests that a variance be granted to allow a second freestanding sign.
60-Day Rule
To comply with the 60 day rule, without an extension, this item needs action by June 25,
2004.
Attachments
· Location Map
· Applicant's Narrative
· Site Plan
Location
11090 183rd Circle NW
Lot-2 Block-1 The Pines Town Office Park
Zoning/Land Use
BP, Business Park / LI, Light Industrial
City Council
June 21, 2004
Page 2
Existing Conditions
Located in the office park, on 183ra Circle, is one office park identification sign which reads
"The Pines Town Office Park". There is no availability for tenant identification on that sign.
The Businesses Park (BP) district regulates freestanding signs as follows: A/l freestanding
signage shall be of a monument s(yle sign and have a maximum dee of 64 square feet and height of eight feet.
Staff interpretation of the zoning code is that only one freestanding sign is allowed and the
development has one monument style sign. The applicant is requesting to add a second
freestanding sign south of their building near County Road 12. The actual sign area would
be 4-feet by 8-feet or 32 square feet.
Analysis
In order to grant a variance from the literal interpretation of the ordinance, the following
five conditions must be met:
I. l_~'teral enforcement of the ordinance mill cause undue hardship.
Literal enforcement would not cause undue hardship, as the business can provide
advertising via a wall sign. In this specific case, literal enforcement will not allow any of
the tenants of The Pines Town Office Park any business identification in the form of a
monument sign.
o
The hardship is caused b~y ~edal conditions and drcumstances, tvhich are peculiar to the propeny and
the structure involved and tvhich are not characteristic of, or applicable to, other lands or structure in the
same area.
This property functions the same as any multi-tenant area which has one freestanding
sign.
3. The literal application of the provisions of this ordinance zvould deprive the petitioner of rights enjojed bj
otherproperties in the same district under the terms of this ordinance.
Other properties have the same signage opportunities as the applicant.
4. The ~Oedal conditions and drcumstances are not a consequence of the petitioner's otvn action or inaction.
The existing freestanding sign was not installed by the applicant.
S:\PLANNING\Case Files\2004\V 04-04 Scottish Rite Masons\V04-04_CC.DOC
City Council
June 21, 2004
Page 3
5. The variance will not be injurious to or adverse[y affect the health, safe(y or welfare of the residents of the
ci(y or the neighborhood where the propert~y is located and will be in keeping with spirit and intent of the
ordinance.
The request would not adversely impact other properties in the vicimty.
Board of Adjustments Action
The Board of Adjustments unanimously denied the request as it did not meet the five criteria
needed to approve a variance.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council deny the variance to allow a second freestanding
sign as it does not meet all five criteria.
S:\PLANNING\Case Files\2004\V 04-04 Scottish Rite Masons\V04-04_CC.DOC
~lVeI~
Case Number:
Location Map
N
V 04-04
SCO'I-rlSH RITE CHILDHOOD LANGUAGE DISORDER CLINIC
Fi~y years ago, the Scottish' Rite Foundation of Colorado was
organized for the purpose of treating children with language
disorders. Since 1953, the Scottish Rite has opened more than
200 clinics across the United States to help children. Today, we
have the opportunity to open another new clinic in the Elk River
area. This new clinic along with the current Clinic in Duluth, will
treat kids between the ages of 9 months through their 12th
birthday with language disorders and give them an opportunity to
develop into great leaders for the future of our country. We help
children of all races and creeds, regardless of a family's ability to
pay. We have no billing departments in our facilities. According to
statistics, we could expect 10% of our population under the age of
9 years to need our services. In a recent phone call from the Elk
River public school system, they are excited about us helping
children with speech and language problems.
Our request is for a variance to install a sign on the property,
between the Clinic building and Main Street (which turns into 181st
Avenue NW). We would like to have a double sided sign,
measuring 4'x 8' (32 sq. ft.), with it being illuminated from the
inside. We would locate it on the property, away from the setback
area. i have contacted a local sign maker, but have not received
any information in reply as to style of mounting. However, this
would be done on accordance with the city code.
We believe that by having this sign, we can better display our
efforts to help children. Again, we are a non-profit organization
and our funding comes through the efforts of our members and
our contacts. We would offer to any and all an opportunity to visit
our new facility, and see first hand what our efforts can produce in
this GREAT community of Elk River.
AREA OF'
CONSTRUCTION'-~
\,