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5.1.BASR 03-26-2024it ci Elk* River Request for Action To Item Number Board of Adjustments 5.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Hearings March 26, 2024 Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner Item Description Reviewed by Holiday Station Store - 18823 Freeport St. NW Zack Carlton, Community Development Director Reviewed by ■ Sign Height Variance, Case No. V 24-01 Action Requested Staff recommends the Board of Adjustments approve, by motion, a sign height variance, for one sign, not to exceed 40 feet, as measured from the nearest point grade of the main line of Highway 169, as all criteria for a variance are satisfied with the recommended increase in height. Alternatively, Deny, by motion, the sign height variance (80-foot request) for the following reasons: 1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance is not met. 2. Installing a sign that is a little over 2.5 times as tall as what is currently allowed is not reasonable. 3. The interchange at Highway 169 and School Street is not a unique circumstance to the property as a 30-foot-tall sign would still be visible. 4. A sign that is a little over 2.5 times as tall as other signs in the area will alter the essential character of the locality. Background/Discussion CR 12 1 �fi69 The property is zoned Highway Commercial (C3) which limits the - height of freestanding signs to 30 feet. The applicant is requesting a Figure I variance to exceed the allowed height of signage by 50 feet (80-feet in total height). During construction of the interchange at Highway 169 and School Street, the existing freestanding sign on the property was removed and has not yet been replaced. Ordinance also provides the property with the opportunity for two signs, as the frontage along School Street exceeds 300 feet. The variance would only apply to one sign. Applicable Regulation (The applicant's responses are italicized with staffs notes after.) Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that the variance satisfies all five of the criteria described below. The variance is: The Elk River Vision P O N E B E o 9 Y A n elcoming community avith revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional INATUREI service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires pro perity. Updated. January 2023 Is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance, and The new sign is in harmony with the purpose of the sign ordinance because it enhances the commercial communication requirements of this sectors of the business community. The taller sign will allow the motoring public along Hny 169 to see our services. The purpose and intent of the sign ordinance is to balance the advertising needs of the business community against adverse effects on the public. Signage heights for commercial districts along Highway 169 are currently around 30-40 feet depending on the zoning. As the 169 Redefine project is nearing completion, the city is in the process of determining appropriate signage along the new corridor and it is premature to determine if the proposed request will be in harmony with the future purpose and intent. 2. Is consistent with the City of Elk River comprehensive plan. The 169 Redefine project will be complemented by newgateways and wayfinding signs that ensure residents and visitors alike know when they are entering Elk River and hoar to get to key destinations like the downtown area and riverfront. Our sign will not motorists including semi -truck drivers that there isgas available as well as traditionalgas station services such as restrooms and food. The property is guided as Highway Business where commercial businesses with signage are expected. The proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan. Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. Practical difficulties means that: 3. The petitioner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance; Thisgas station will be used in a reasonable manner by providinggas and facilities for the traveling motorist. Installing a sign that is a little over 2.5 times as tall as what is currently allowed is not reasonable. City staff have been working with the Planning Commission and City Council on an ordinance amendment that will allow taller signs along Highway 169. The ordinance would allow a freestanding sign up to 40-feet above the main -line if the adjacent highway. The request is twice as tall as what is recommended under the ordinance amendment. 4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the property not a consequence of the petition's own action or inaction; and The reconstruction of Hny 169 is not a circumstance that Holiday caused. ile are trying to continue our business with a sign that can be viewed along Hny 169. ire had a monument sign that was removed due to the construction. ile just want to be able to continue to be able to not those motorists along Hwy 169. The recent reconstruction of the interchange at Highway 169 and School Street is a unique circumstance to the property. A freestanding sign, that is 30-foot tall, is still visible above the grade/bridge from 1,700 feet away, which is prior to the northbound exit ramp. The staff exhibit shows this relationship. While the plight is unique, the request does not satisfy other standards for issuance of a variance at the requested height. 5. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. It mill not alter the character as this is an existinggas station. If approved, the proposed 80' tall sign would be the tallest sign in the area, if not in the city and would alter the essential character of the area. Staff supports a smaller sign, that is more in -line with the surrounding commercial character. Staff recommends denial of the requested 80-foot tall sign but recommends approval of a variance allowing a sign of up to 40 feet, as measured from the nearest point grade of the main line of Highway 169. This recommendation is consistent with the current ordinance amendment moving through the city review process. Financial Impact None Council Meeting If denied, or an appeal is made by any interested party by April 5, 2024, this item will go to the April 15, 2024, City Council meeting. Mission/Policy/Goal ■ Help, not hinder citizen quality of life ■ Reflect the culture of citizens and what is important to majority Attachments ■ Location Map ■ Applicant's Narrative ■ Applicant's Exhibits ■ Staff Exhibits I I I I •t ' t� ; ` •per SIl,-T.- E School Street �_�� - � ,, •� � ; , 1 u ' { I V 24-01 Narrative Holiday would like to install an 80' tall sign to advertise their brand and the types of gas available. They have removed the monument sign due to the reconstruction and would like to install this proposed sign so it is visible to the motoring public. The new highway will have a finished height of 20' and a tall sign is imperative for the business to thrive. A variance may be granted by the board only if it finds that: -The variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance The new sign is in harmony with the purpose of the sign ordinance because it enhances the commercial communication requirements of this sectors of the business community. The taller sign will allow the motoring public along Hwy 169 to see our services. The variance is consistent with the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan (discuss with city staff in needed) The 169 Redefine project will be complemented by new gateways and wayfinding signs that ensure residents and visitors alike know when they are entering Elk River and how to get to key destinations like the downtown area and riverfront. Our sign will notify motorists including semi -truck drivers that there is gas available as well as traditional gas station services such as restrooms and food. Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. Practical difficulties means that: -The petitioner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance This gas station will be used in a reasonable manner by providing gas and facilities for the traveling motorist. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the property not a consequence of the petition's own action or inaction; and The reconstruction of Hwy 169 is not a circumstance that Holiday caused. We are trying to continue our business with a sign that can be viewed along Hwy 169. We had a monument sign that was removed due to the construction. We just want to be able to continue to be able to notify those motorists along Hwy 169. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality It will not alter the character as this is an existing gas station. HOLIDAY STORES I 0313 I ELK RIVER, MN I NORTHERN TIER I EXTERIOR SIGN PACKAGE I SITE PLAN s ~r #I T "I ry STALLS p 71 mg cm IIm CONCRETE ISLANDS SLAB/CANOPY/ BT OTHERS �J 3 `> T H R t ' 100' L T PED DO NET\ , ` RAMPS ENTER 1 PED RAMPS p � nSa .16 b High Rise Sign 48e-0" A. b A T ' TELEPHONES """" 4 Existing Monument PG1/3 DRAWN BY REVISION CORPORATE 10 SOLUTIONS CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE CORPORATE MH 00 5563 N ELSTON AVE. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF CORPORATE IDENTIFICATION SOLUTIONS, INC, CHICAGO,IL, AND CONTAINS PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL CHICAGO, IL 60630 INFORMATION THIS DRAWING ISTRANSFERRED TO THE CUSTOMERS AND SUPPUERS OF CORPORATE IDENTIFICATION SOLUTIONS, INC BY WAY OF LOAN, THISDRANK MAY NOT BECOPIEDOR REPRODUCED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, NOR MAYIT ORTHE INFORMATION TTCONTAINS BE DISCLOSED DATE SCALE P: 773-763-9600 F: 773-763-9606 LUTIONS.COMIDENTIFICATION OPTAANSFERRED TO ANYOTNER PARTY OR PERSONS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRI EN CONSENT OF CORPORATE IDENTIFICATION SOLUTION', INC. 09/22/23 NTS CORPORATEIDSO SIGNATURE_. DATE_— CUSTOMER HOLIDAY STORES LOCATION ELK RIVER, MN ', SOLUTIONS SITE NUMBER ACCOUNT REP 0313 BEN DEHAYES k: �4 j�.. �re Holiday r7r�- UNL - .spY>-ter FraYE IFI�� DSL3.2 t, Sip Sav-(_. i HOLIDAY STORES 1 0313 1 IEL.K RIVER, MN I NORTHERN TIER I EXTERIOR SIGN PACKAGE I RAID SIGN DIESEL PRICER ALWAYS _ IN. TOWARDS ROAD :ABtNET S .UMINATE❑ BLUE RODS OF CABINETS 6W LEDS B" TOGGLES 232.0 SF NOTE: FLAG TEST REQUIRED TO OPTIMIZE VISIBLITY HIGH RISE SIGN WILL REQUIRE AVARIANCE PG313 CUSTOMER LOCATION DRAWNRY REVISION CORPORATE SD SOLUTIONS CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE CORPORATE HOLIDAY STORES ELK RIVER, MN MH UO 5563 N ELSTON AVE. THISDRAA'INGISTNEPROPEPTYOFroaPORA EIDENRHGA11tiu PL Iota,INc.alcwo,ILANocoNlnNsaPPPPI aavnwomNrm=nl n, IDENTIFICATION CHICAGO, IL 60630 INFOPMATION,THIS DRAM MT.ERANSFF.PPFp TOTNE CDSIOMFRSAND SPPPLfEA50f CPPPPRATEIDEN RMATIONSOLPFIDNS,INEDISC ED PATE SCALE p; 773763-9608 E, 773-763-9608 LOAN,THI:DRAWING MAY PPTEEC9PIEDORPEP.DUCED,IN'NHOIE OA WPAPS,NOA MAY trPPTNCINFORNATIDNITfPNTAtN5BEDISCLOSED SITE NUMBER ACCOUNT REP ORTPANSEEn DTO ANY OTµER PARTYOR PEP50N5W11 UT1NE PRIOR WNTtEN CONSENTOF WPPO-A bFhTMCAIIDN iOSIIrIONS, InC, SOLUTIONS 0313 BEN DEHAYES 09MM NTS CORFORAtFIDSOLUTIONS.COM SIGNATURE— OATE— HOLIDAY STORES I 0313 1 ELK RIVER, MN I NORTHERN TIER I EXTERIOR SIGN PACKAGE I MID SIGN PG 213 6" SHROUD ABOVE CABINET TO HOLD BLUE RODS OTY (2) ROWS OF ILLUMINATED BLUE RODS 4 AROUND PERIMETER OF CABINETS • r • Unleaded 4" TOGGLE 24" DIGITS 107-1. iesel 24" DIGITS o IJAKTRDNlCS ELECTRONIC C,FRESH FOOD MESSAGE CENTER .*Y DAKTRONICS ELECTRONIC MFSSAGECENTER �n 6" SHROUD BELOW CA8€NET TO HOLD BLUE RODS MID SIGN A 129.5 SF CORPORATE HOLIDAY L4OCATION DRAWNBY RVISION CORPORATE ID SOLUTIONS CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE HOLIDAY STORES ELK RIVER, MN MH 04 5563 N ELSTON AVE, TNlsonnwrN�ISTNEaAOPERT+'as'tPnPORa�EwENnvlennoNsou+Woos,w4tNIEA�o.IL,ANDCOWAlN5PRveAIeTAMIANDCONROEmIAL IDENTIFICATION CHIC AGO, IL6063U NFORMAiIPN. N15DR0.WINC ISTAANSVERAEP OTLFCUS OMEASANDSUPVUER50FCOPPOAA 1pErvil YlONSIXU IDN INCEYWAYPF .'-. LOAN.rH15 PRAWIUG nUY NOF BF CW IED UP RF.PVPoOtfD,IN WHOSE OR IN PRM.NPRAIAYITDAr Hf INFORMATIUNRCOMAINS RE DIS(LOSfP 'y ■�[[�� 5ETENt1MBER ACCOUNT REP DATE SCALE P: 773-7fi3-96441i::773-763-960fi pp SAANSFfPAED rO ANYOrNEAPMTY OAPER56N5 WRHPUrTNF PRIOR WAITIEN[DNSENr OF[ORPORASE IPfNTIFIf.ATIONROLUF10N5,INC. SOLUTIONS 0313 BEN DEHAYES 09/22/23 NETS CORPORATEIDSOLUTIONS.COM SIGNATURE DATE A CC z z = to X d. N X X N LLJ �.lJ w -do naHl��Y Ll 1 !sue 169 Reckefim Visualization of the future 2024 freeway in Elk River - MnDOT "41 , I� + y 4A s f fff VIDEOS n_ ochool Street kgmammim watch later Shar sawn r. 916', Hwy 169 Exhibit #1 ____________ ----Bridge 995 _T ------------------- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ---- — 1700 Station Station 370 388 SECTION AND PLAN ARE NOT THE SAME SCALE ° O CE Sr2018 L ST SW RAMP �SW RAMP --- --- - "r�--- - -- 4 5 5 00 A D T )--C i II MH -- -- --- -- --- --jB 62700 ADT) /L_y j,^.j III � 0 LJ !�_I I �1'l • -- O' 1 / r 923' Sign Base 914' HWY 169 slanon 390 4 SIGN SYST 10;: -390Z-4 �`i PROPO - �`NO. 7 o — — — — — — — — Previous Grade New Grade IT ST NW rL SCHOOL ST NW RAMP J 1 I I 'I I 1 "tSCH L ST NW CON CTQ$ CHOOL ST WB ' SECTION AND PLAN ARE NOT THE SAME SCALE 0 J =In 0 Q < 6.7'BLVD I H r, m 6'WALK N i , r 1 D424 CW -Y- { 8618 ChG N 1 r ►► +i �1 I 4 � SCHOOL ST ENE CONNECTOR 2 / J � I— J 8618 MG { �, 6' WALK1 „� { 6.7'BLVD 30 R I 1 ca 50' R_ 418 1 1 I's B B B { + 1, 13.5' LTL 16 f" 13.5' PROPOSED BRIDGE 300'R INO._71017 300' R 13.5'+54 O 2 N 1 O +22 �► 1 Bill im +64 13.5' _ { 1 6.7'BLVD i 40'R 8618 C&C 1 4 1 1 1 1 6'WALK / 418 1 C►G C6G SCHOOL ST 1 4 SE CONNECTOR r 1 n o 8618 C&G i? i