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PL 03/21/2012 - 31326PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 21, 2012 Vice-Chairperson Oquist called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT: Approval of Minutes: Jack Velin, Brad Sielaff, Leroy Oquist, Dean Saba, Tim Solberg and Brad Dunham David Kondrick Stacy Stromberg, Planner Mike Lawrance, Signcrafters Robert Becker, St. Philips Lutheran Church Becky Becker, St. Philips Lutheran Church Myron Nash, St. Philips Lutheran Church January 18, 2012 MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #12-01, by Signcrafters, for St. Philips Lutheran Church, to allow an electronic changeable message sign as part of a new free-standing sign at St. Philips Lutheran Church, generally located at 6180 Highway 65. MOTION by Commissioner Dunham to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Sielaff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:02 P.M. Stacy Stromberg, Planner, stated the petitioner, Mike Lawrance, of Signcrafters, who is representing St. Philip's Lutheran Church, is requesting a special use permit to allow an electronic message center sign to be part of a new free-standing sign on the church property, which is located at 6180 Highway 65. Ms. Stromberg stated the church would like to construct a new 80 square foot free-standing sign, of which 40 square feet of the sign will be the electronic message center. It should be noted that though the overall size of the new sign is 80 square feet, the total square footage of the text is 55 square feet. Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is located on the southwest corner of Highway 65 and West Moore Lake Drive. The property is zoned R-3, Multi-Family. The properties to the west are zoned R-1, Single-Family. The properties to the north and east are zoned G3, General Shopping. The original church building was constructed in 1958, and there have been several additions to the building since then. Planning Commission Meeting March 21, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Stromberg stated this property has had two free-standing sign permits in the past. One was issued in 1978 and the other was issued in 1994. The permit issued in 1978 was for the existing corner monument sign, which bears the name of the church. The other 1994 sign permit was for a temporary sign permit, which was for a two-year time period. After the expiration of that temporary permit, staff noticed the sign had not been removed and informed the church of the violation. The church ended up requesting and obtaining a one-year extension from the City Council on the temporary sign permit. Ms. Stromberg stated the Planning Commission and City Council may recall, that in 2006 a sign code text amendment was approved to allow institutions (churches, schools, hospitals, medical clinics) that are located on residentially zoned property to have similar standards for signage as commercially zoned property, provided certain code requirements can be met. The new language for free-standing signs states that institutions are allowed to have one free-standing sign per development, with a maximum size of 80 square feet provided the sign is placed a minimum of 50 feet from any neighboring residentially zoned property (not including a residential site an institution is located on), the illuminated sign face is perpendicular to an adjacent roadway and the sign does not create glare that will impact adjacent residential properties. Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed sign will be located approximately 450 feet from the closest residential property, which is located at 6209 Baker Avenue. It will be approximately 620 feet from the property located at 916 West Moore Lake Drive. The illuminated sign will be facing north and south, which is parallel to Highway 65 and perpendicular to West Moore Lake Drive; therefore, reducing the likelihood of creating glare to adjacent residential properties. Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed sign also complies with the maximum size requirements of 80 square foot height requirement of 25 feet and is proposed to be approximately 10 feet from the east property line and 50 feet from the north property line; therefore, complying with the 10-foot setback from a property line requirement. Ms. Stromberg stated the petitioner is requesting a special use permit to allow the electronic message center as part of the new free-standing sign. Electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in any zoning district, except residential, unless meeting the requirements for Institutional Signs; provided the electronic message center sign does not change more often than once every 45 seconds. The sign also needs to be in conformance with all other sign requirements, which as stated above, it does. Ms. Stromberg stated City staff has not heard from any neighboring property owners. Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends approval of the special use permit as electronic changeable signs are an approved special use in a residential district, provided all requirements for Institutional Signage can be met, subject to stipulations. Ms. Stromberg stated City Staff recommends that if the special use permit is granted, the following stipulations be attached: 1. The petitioner shall obtain a sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on electronic message center sign shall not change more often than authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on electronic message center sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. Planning Commission Meeting March 21, 2012 Page 3 of 4 4. Prior to sign installation, the petitioner shall have the northeast property stake marked to verify sign location meets setback requirements. 5. The signage on the existing retaining wall shall be removed within 30 days of completion of the new free-standing sign. Mike Lawrance, Signcrafters, stated the sign will actually be perpendicular to Highway 65 and parallel with Moore Lake. Co-Chairperson Oquist asked Mr. Lawrance if he was okay with all of the stipulations? Mr. Lawrance replied, yes. Bob Becker, St. Philips Lutheran Church, stated the most critical people in Fridley will be the congregation of St. Philips. They are always concerned about looking top notch. If you drive by the church you will see it is an incredibly well-kept facility, and the sign will be an addition to that. MOTION by Commissioner Saba to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:11 P.M. Vice-Chairperson Oquist stated it is pretty straightforward, and he has no problem with this. Commissioner Dunham stated everyone is going with the electronic signs now. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff Approving Special Use Permit, SP #12-01, by Signcrafters, for St. Philips Lutheran Church, to allow an electronic changeable message sign as part of a new free-standing sign at St. Philips Lutheran Church, generally located at 6180 Highway 65 with the following stipulations : 1. The petitioner shall obtain a sign permit and current sign erector license prior to installing any signage on site. 2. Message on electronic message center sign shall not change more often than authorized under Section 214.07 of the Fridley City Code. 3. Message on electronic message center sign shall never flash or have motion that may distract vehicular traffic in the area. 4. Prior to sign installation, the petitioner shall have the northeast property stake marked to verify sign location meets setback requirements. 5. The signage on the existing retaining wall shall be removed within 30 days of completion of the new free-standing sign. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Receive the Minutes of the January 5, 2012, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commission Meeting. Planning Commission Meeting March 21, 2012 Page 4 of 4 MOTION by Commissioner Saba to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Receive the Minutes of the February 2, 2012, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Solberg to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. Receive the Minutes of the January 9, 2012, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Velin to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Saba. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. Receive the Minutes of the February 6, 2012, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to receive the Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Solberg. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Velin adjourning the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Dunham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary CITY OF FRIDLEY SIGN-IN SHEET PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING i � a QD1c Name Address/Business Ill!_f?✓ f ��/�� S Ui pr-✓at�� t,6, 1 F Nl��� �� ( 14