6.10. SR 07-16-2007
REQUEST FOR ACTION
To
Ci Council
Agenda Section
Communi Develo ment
Item Description
Request by American National Bank for a S-foot Sign Height
Variance, Case No. V 07-0S Public Hearing
Meeting Date
ul 16, 2007
Item Number
6.10.
Prepared by
Chris Leeseber ,Park Planner
Reviewed by
erem Barnhart, P Mana er
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Staff recommends that the City Council deny the variance request for the following reasons:
1. Variance Criteria #1 is not met, literal enforcement would not cause undue hardship,
as the applicant does have a sign which is visible.
2. Variance Criteria #2 is not met, there is no hardship that is caused by special
conditions and circumstances.
Backlround/Discussion
American National Bank has an existing building in the Mississippi Ridge development which has an
approved monument sign which is 10-feet in height. It is an 8-foot high sign on a two foot support post.
. They would like to have a sign height that is more characteristic of other businesses in the area. They are
asking for a S-foot variance to have the sign height be lS-feet.
Attachments
. Location Map
. Applicant's Narrative
. Sign Images
. Approved Signage as related to Approved Ordinance Amendment
. Applicants Images
Case File: V 07-05
Page 2
Sign Height Variance
American National Bank
General Information
Applicant
60 Day Rule
Requested Action
Location and Size
American National Bank
The application has been deemed complete as of June 8, 2007.
The City must take action by July 29,2007
Sign Height Variance
17267 Yale Street
Location Existing Use Land Use Plan Designation Current Zoning
Subject Commercial HB pun
Property
North Commercial HB C3
South Commercial HB C3
East Commercial HB C3
West Commercial UR C3
Overview
American National Bank has an existing building in the Mississippi Ridge development which has an
approved monument sign which is 10-feet in height It is an 8-foot high sign on a two foot support
post They would like to have a sign height that is more characteristic of other businesses in the area.
The Mississippi Ridge PUD agreement only allows monument signs to be 10-feet in height.
The surrounding C3 zoning districts allow sign heights of 35-feet on roads that have a speed limit of
55 mph or greater. This pun is pocket of zoning, in a wider C3 zoning area, which was set up by the
developer to have a 10-foot height limit on monument signs.
The developer of the property did receive an Ordinance Amendment in March 2007 to allow a taller
area identification sign (24-feet tall & 56 sqft) on one lot in the development.
The applicant is asking to have the sign height be 15-feet which would be a 5-foot variance. They
believe this would allow the sign to be seen better over vehicles in the parking area and possible snow
piles. The proposed request would still be 20-feet lower than what is allowed in the surrounding C3
zoning districts.
S:\PLANNING\Case Files\Variance\V 07-05 American Nat'l Bank\ V 07-05_CC.doc
Case File: V 07-05
Page 3
Sign Height Variance
American National Bank
Applicable Regulations
Variance Criteria
1. literal e'!forcement of the ordinance will cause undue hardshp.
Literal enforcement would not cause undue hardship, as the applicant does have a sign which is
visible.
2. The hardship is caused /vi special conditions and circumstances. which are peculiar to the property and the
structure intlOlved and which are not characteristic of. or applicable to. other lands or structure in the same area.
There is no hardship.
3. The special conditions and circumstances are not a consequence qf the petitioner's own action or inaction.
The conditions of the site were in place when the applicant purchased the property.
4. The literal application qf the provisions of this ordinance would deprive the /)etitioner ~f rights e'1lqyed by other
'bro'berties in the same district under the terms of this ordinance.
- - -
The literal application does deprive the applicant the rights enjoyed by the other commercial
properties in the area, as the other commercial properties are allowed 35-foot tall signs.
5. The variance will not be ifJiurious to or adverselY affect the health. sqfety or welfare ~f the residents ~f the city or
the neighborhood where the property is located and will be in keeping with spirit and intent of the ordinance.
The request would not be injurious to or adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of the
residents of the city or the neighborhood where the property is located.
Board of Adjustments Actions
The Board of Adjustments denied the request for the following reason: Variance Criteria #1 and #2
were not met. They asked staff to work with the applicant to see if there was an alternative location
on the property that the existing sign would work.
Respectfully Submitted
Chris Leeseberg
Park Planner / Planner
Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
S:\pLANNING\Case Files\ Variance\V 07-05 American Nat'l Bank\V 07-05_CC.doc
W
__~_--Z--
-- <C
173RD
SITE
Location Map
Case Number: V 07-05
AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
~
'oS
i
~
~
0-
:I:
~
A VE I\~ U E :
.;;
8
~
~
t
~
"
g
B
~
c
~
~
z
i5
J
'"
.,
Ii;
~
i
"C
..
~
.!!
u:
"
~
'"
z
52
z
:5
s.-
Ui
VENJ
---
----
<1r
N
NATIONAL BANK
OF MINNESOTA
June 15,2007
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Subject: Variance for American National Bank
To Whom It May Concern:
1. American National Banks sign only stands 2 feet off the ground. When you are
driving from the west on Hwy.10 you are unable to visibly see the sign until you
have driven by the bank. Also, we host various networking and chamber events
and the last 2 parking spots when filled completely block our sign from the west.
2. Most businesses in the area have their business signs standing a minimum of 15
feet from the ground.
3. The PUD agreement for this zoning states maximum height of ONL Y 10 feet,
which the sign of 8 ft. stands on 2 ft. beam.
4: Our business neighbor's signs stand a minimum of 20 to 30 ft. Also, our business
neighbor across the street received a variance for an approval of 30ft.
5. The variance will not be injurious or adversely affect the health or safety ofthe
residents of the City or the neighborhood wherein the property is located. We
would appreciate the ability to have a sign that is visible for ALL people who pass
our bank.
Thank you for your consideration! @
~.
Member
FDIC
17267 Yale Street N.W. . Elk River, MN 55330
Telephone: (763) 241-1300 . Toll Free: (888) 663-2011 . Fax: (763) 241-1313
G:t
EnUALHDUSlNG
LENDER
Approved Sign age as related to
Approved Ordinance Amendment
1
5'.1112'
t
o
1
12'..3 li:2'
;;H!HH~lm !~.PI~
,,' t..}~. \:,.; \..' ",
>'H h<n!"~ <Ol'~'
~:HI)H1t<:~:f~ ';1 ;:
H!l ~t1~~llft ~::~ ~
H'~1 dh.~H ~!~ ~L {
f
Q
,
.~
~
.~
.~
'r
..
!?CALE: 114" = l'
PYLON SIGNAGE ELEVATION
GENERAL NOTES:
o 6R1CK COLOR ONE
'2\ F<OCIQ'ACE OR 6RICK COLOR TWO
~ WAINSCOT 6T ALT.
o STONE OR PRECAST LINTELI&ILL
o ALUCA6CiND METAL PANELS
o 8' SOLDIER COURSE RECESS
Q 3"" ELECTRONIC DISPLAT.
\V 60TH SIDES
CD SI~E. 60TH SIDES
fe\ OPTIONAL 6ACKLIT SIGN.
\V 60TH SIDES
03-02-07
.-
..
DATE RECEIVED'
-;- r-D"l
GREATER MINNESOTA CREDIT UNION,
HIGHWAY 10, ELK RrVER, MrNNESOTA
501 st. germain street west, sllila 200
st. cloud, minnesota 56301.3605
320:251-9155 fax320.251.4919
e-mail: hmack@hmarch.com
website: www.hmarch.com