PL 12/21/2005 - 30886CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 21�, 2005
� CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Savage called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Diane Savage, Larry Kuechle, Barbara Johns, Blaine ]ones (alternate)
Members Absent: David Kondrick, Dean Saba, Brad Dunham, Leroy Oquist
Others Present: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner
]ohn Allen, Icon Identity Solutions for CVS Pharmacy
APPROVE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - November 16th, 2005.
MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle, seconded by Commissioner ]ohns, to approve the minutes as
presented.
UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
MOTION by Commissioner Johns, seconded by Commissioner Kuechle, to open the public hearing.
�"1 UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:33 P.M.
1. Consideration of a Suecial Use Permit SP # 05-05, by Crosstown Si4ns, to allow the
installation of an electronic chanaeable sinn at CVS Pharmacv, ctenerallv located at
5696 University Avenue NE.
Ms. Stromberg, City Planner, presented a request from Crosstown Signs on behalf of CVS Pharmacy,
is requesting a special use permit to allow a free standing sign on the northeast corner of the property at
University Avenue and 57th Avenue, of which 19 square feet with be used for the electronic message
sign. The subject properly is located in the southwest corner of University Avenue and 57th Avenue.
The property is zoned C-3, General Shopping as are the properties to the west. The properties to the
north and east are zoned C-2, General Business and Interstate 694 is located to the south. The existing
building was constructed in 1983 as a Cattle Company Restaurant. The restaurant closed in 2004 and
has remained vacant. Commercial Net Lease Realty Services has since purchased the property and plans
to construct a GVS Pharmacy on the site.
Ms. Stromberg stated that on July 11, 2005, the City Council approved a variance to reduce the rear
yard setback from 40 feet to 26 feet to allow the construction of a new CVS Pharmacy on the subject
property. An additional variance was also approved to reduce the number of required parking stalls from
86 stalls to 75 stalls. CVS Pharmacy has submitted their building plans and has received city approval;
however, definite dates for demolition and construction are unknown. Currently, the Cattle Company
building remains on the site.
Ms. Stromberg reviewed that the code requirements of electronic changeable signs are an approved
�-.\ special use in any zoning district, except residential, provided the message doesn't change more often
than once every 45 seconds. The sign also needs to be in conformance with the sign requirements for the
zoning district, in which the properry is located. The subject property is zoned, C-3 General Shopping,
which requires that all free standing signage per development combined, can not exceed 80 square feet
in size. The proposed pylon sign is 42 square feet, with the electronic message portion of the sign being
19 square feet.
Ms. Stromberg stated that CVS Pharmacy is also proposing to install an additional free-standing sign on
the southeast corner of the site. The City sign code allows one free-standing sign per street frontage and
since the subject property has street frontage on both 57"' Avenue and University Avenue, they are
'� permitted to have two free-standing signs. This additional sign is proposed to be 35.3 square feet in
size. Both of the free standing signs will account for 77.3 square feet; therefore, meeting code
requirements. It should also be noted that both of the proposed signs with be more than fifty feet from
a residential district and are 15 ft. in height, which meets code requirements.
Ms. Stromberg stated City staff recommends approval of the special use permit as electronic
changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning district, except residential provided the
message does not change more often than once every 45 seconds and provided the total square footage
of all free standing signs do not exceed 80 square feet per development, and subject to stipulations.
Ms. Stromberg stated City staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following
stipulations be attached.
1. Petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any
signage on site.
2. Message on L.E.D. section of sign shall not change more often than once every 45 seconds.
3. Message on L.E.D. section of sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract
vehicular traffic in the area.
4. All free-standing signs shall be 10 feet from any property line or driveway.
Commissioner Savage questioned how many electronic changeable signs are in the City of Fridley and
the locations of these signs.
Ms. Stromberg estimated fewer than seven electronic changeable signs in the City of Fridley. She
recalled signs at the following locations: Holiday Gas Station on 57th Avenue, Menards, Fridley High
School, Dr. Dahl Chiropractic Clinic and Home Value.
/'"1
Ms. �ohns asked for clarification that there will be just one electronic changeable sign and the other sign
would be a free standing sign.
Ms. Stromberg answered that is correct.
Mr. Allen, representing CVS Pharmacy, did not have any additional comments to the presentation.
Commissioner Savage questioned if Mr. Allen had any problems with the stipulations.
Mr. Allen stated that he did not have any problems with the stipulations.
MOTION by Commissioner Kuechle, seconded by Commissioner Jones, to close the public hearing.
UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:40 P.M.
Commissioner Kuechle commented that this is a fair request, meets all the code requirements of the
City and he would recommend approval.
Commissioner ]ohns agreed that the request is straight forward and if the sign stays within the
requirements listed, she would recommend approval as well.
Commissioner Savage concurred and even though she does not personally like electronic changeable
signs as they can be a distraction to traffic, there is no reason to deny this request as it meets all the
^ code requirements of the City of Fridley.
MOTION by Commissioner ]ones, seconded by Commissioner Kuechle, to approve the Special Use
Permit SP #05-05, by Crosstown Signs, to allow the installation of an electronic changeable sign at
CVS Pharmacy, generally located at 5696 University Avenue NE, with the following stipulations:
1. Petitioner shall obtain sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any
signage on site.
� 2. Message on L.E.D. section of sign shall not change more often than once every 45 seconds.
3. Message on L.E.D. section of sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular
traffic in the area.
4. All free-standing signs shall be 10 feet from any property line or driveway.
UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED TO APPROVE SPECIAL USE PERMIT SP #05-05.
This will be brought to the City Council on January 9th, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
2. Receive the minutes of the November 7. 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission
Meetina.
MOTTON by Commissioner Kuechle, seconded by Commissioner Johns, to receive the minutes as
presented.
3. Receive the minutes of the November 3, 2005, Housina and Redevelopment Authoritv
Commission Meetina.
MOTION by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner ]ohns, to receive the minutes as
presented.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Ms. Stromberg shared the year in review report as this will be the last meeting for 2005. There were 2
comprehensive plan amendments, 1 master plan amendment, 8 plats, 4 rezoning, 5 special use permits,
^ 1 street/alley vacation and 10 zoning text amendments. All of the zoning text amendments were brought
to the Planning Commission from City Staff. Compared to last year, the Planning Commission received
more applications this year, but were almost equal with 2003. In 2003 we had 20 special use permits,
mostly due to the special use permit requirement for second accessory structures.
Photos were shared of the new Petco building constructed as a result of the replat for the new Petco and
Super Target. The Target Store will close after the first of the year and begin demolition and
construction of the new Super Target. Also a photo of the electronic sign at the Holiday Station was
shared.
It was a busy year and Planning Staff would like to thank the Planning Commission for all your hard work
in 2005 and wish you Happy Holidays.
AD70URNMEPIT:
MOTION by Commissioner ]ohns, seconded by Commissioner ]ones to adjourn the meeting.
UPON UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MEETING AD70URNED AT 7:45 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by,
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Krista Monsrud
� Recording Secretary
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Name
CITY OF FRIDLEY
SIGN-IN SHEET
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
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Address/Business