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PL 10/03/2007 - 29927CITY OF FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 3, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Savage called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:32 pm. MEMBERS PRESENT: Brad Dunham, David Kondrick, Diane Savage, Dean Saba, Leroy Oquist MEMBERS ABSENT: Jack Velin OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner Rick Gliszinski, Livinn Hotels Terry Semo, Demars Sign Company APPROVE OF MINUTES: Approval of September 19, 2007, Planning Commission meeting minutes Commissioner Kondrick asked that Jack Velin's name be corrected on page one. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to approve the minutes with the correction of Commissioner Velin's name. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07-07, by Todd Regnier, to allow an electronic changeable sign (digital video screen) as part of a new free-standing sign to be installed at the Livinn Hotels, generally located at 5201 Central Avenue. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:34 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, presented a request from Todd Regnier, who is representing Rixmann Fridley LLC, owners of the Livinn Hotels, located at 5201 Central Avenue, for a special use permit to allow an electronic changeable sign (digital video screen) as part of the construction of a new monument sign to be installed at the Livinn Hotels. Ms. Stromberg stated that the petitioner is proposing to construct a new monument sign where the wording "Livinn Hotels" is proposed to be 15.4 square feet and the electronic message sign is proposed to be 44.3 square feet. The total square footage of the sign is 59.7 square feet. Ms. Stromberg reviewed that the subject property is located in the southeast corner of Central Avenue and 52nd Avenue. The property is zoned C-3, General Shopping. The subject property was originally developed as a carwash/gas station in 1966. In 1982, the carwash was demolished. A hotel was constructed in 1984 as an addition to the existing Skywood Mall. Ms. Stromberg stated that in 1991, a plat and variance were approved by the City Council for the subject property and the Skywood Mall property. At the time, the hotel was being sold to a new company, and they were only interested in purchasing the hotel portion of the complex. The plat created a lot line between the hotel and the Skywood Mall, which is separated by a firewall. The variance was granted to allow for a zero lot line between the two buildings. Since 1991, the subject property has continued to exist as a hotel, as a Best Western, Kelly Inn and most recently, the Livinn Suites. Ms. Stromberg stated that electronic changeable signs are 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 property 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. A free-standing monument sign already exists on the property, which is located just west of the existing building. The petitioner plans to remove that existing sign and construct the new monument sign to be located along Central Avenue. The proposed new sign will be 59.7 square feet, of which 44.3 square feet will be the electronic portion of the sign. The hotel also shares a free-standing sign with the Skywood Mall property, which is now Menards. However, that sign is located on the Menards property and since the hotel is a separate lot from the Menards (old Skywood Mall property) lot they are entitled to have their own free standing 80 square foot sign. Ms. Stromberg stated that the petitioner is proposing to include a digital video screen as part of the sign. This type of screen is the latest technology in the sign industry and is something that we otherwise haven't seen in Fridley. We are starting to see this type of technology on billboards along the Interstates in the Twin Cities area. Over the years, however, this type of sign will look more similar to a flat screen television. Staff has spoken with the petitioner and they understand that the message on this sign can only change once every 45 seconds, per City Code requirements, and that there can't be any flashing or moving parts, including the illusion of movement on the screen. Ms. Stromberg said that City Staff recommends approval of this special use permit request as electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in the commercial zoning district, provided the sign complies with Code requirements, subject to the following stipulations. 1. Petitioner shall obtain a sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on L.E.D sign shall not change more often than authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on the L.E.D. sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. 4. The proposed free standing sign shall be 10 feet from any property line or driveway. 5. Petitioner shall adhere to city code requirements for temporary signs. 6. All trees to be removed for the installation of the new sign shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a sign permit. 7. Existing monument sign to be removed upon completion of the new monument sign. Commissioner Kondrick asked if Staff had heard any objectives from neighbors. Ms. Stromberg stated that staff had heard from one neighboring property owner who had concerns regarding the activities going on at the subject property and she had voice those concerns to the Police department as had staff. She also felt that the electronic sign would distract motor vehicles. Chairperson Savage asked if the petitioner had any problems with the stipulations. Rick Gliszinski, Livinn Hotels, responded no. Chairperson Savage asked what would be advertised on the sign. Terry Semo, Demars Sign Company, said that the digital sign messages would list hotel rates, discounts, welcome guests to the community etc. Mr. Gliszinski said that the sign would add curb appeal to the property. Mr. Semo said that the monument style base is very appealing and pleasing to the eye. Commissioner Kondrick said it would be great if they could advertise activities held in Fridley on the sign. Mr. Semo said they would keep that under consideration. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Oquist. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:45 P.M. Commissioner Dunham commented that the sign looked very nice. Commissioner Kondrick said that the sign would let people know what is going on in the area. Chairperson Savage said that she usually has a concern about electronic signs and that they can be distracting plus are visually polluting. She suggested that staff look at city code requirements again. She was in favor of this sign because it is allowed per city code. Commissioner Kondrick said he agreed with Chairperson Savage's comments, but thought that 45 seconds was enough time to read the message and not distract motorists. Mr. Semo said that this style of inessage center is different than others in the city. It would be more like a picture and they could even put up a photo. The message center is more appealing to the eye and creates less distraction to motorists that other digital signs. Commissioner Kondrick asked if there would be a scrolling sentence to read, because that can really be distracting. Mr. Semo said that there would be no scrolling sentences. Commissioner Dunham asked if other cities had a longer change time than 45 seconds. Mr. Semo responded yes. Chairperson Savage said that she thought the sign would advertise impressions of restfulness and family hotel atmosphere. Mr. Semo said that is correct. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to approve the consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #07- 07, by Todd Regnier, to allow an electronic changeable sign (digital video screen) as part of a new free-standing sign to be installed at the Livinn Hotels, generally located at 5201 Central Avenue with the following seven stipulations. 1. Petitioner shall obtain a sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on L.E.D sign shall not change more often than authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on the L.E.D. sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. 4. The proposed free standing sign shall be 10 feet from any property line or driveway. 5. Petitioner shall adhere to city code requirements for temporary signs. 6. All trees to be removed for the installation of the new sign shall be marked and approved by City staff prior to issuance of a sign permit. 7. Existing monument sign to be removed upon completion of the new monument sign. Seconded by Commissioner Kondrick. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. This item will be heard before the City Council on October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. 2. Receive the minutes of the August 6, 2007, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. OTHER BUSINESS: Stacy Stromberg, City Planner, announced that the next meeting will be on October 17, 2007, and there are three items on the agenda. ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Kondrick to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:53 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Krista Monsrud Recording Secretary