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PLM 04/15/2015 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING April 15, 2015 Co-Chairperson Oquist called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Leroy Oquist, Brad Sielaff, Jack Velin, and David Ostwald MEMBERS ABSENT: Dean Saba, David Kondrick, and Todd Olin OTHERS PRESENT: Stacy Stromberg, Planner Shane Boskovich, Albrecht Sign Company Approval of Minutes: March 18, 2015 MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CO-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP # 15-04, by Albrecht Sign Company, to allow an electronic message center sign as part of a new free-standing sign, generally located at 6875 University Avenue. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Ostwald UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CO-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:03 P.M. Stacy Stromberg , Planner, stated the petitioner, Shane Boskovich, of Albrecht Sign Company, who is representing Woodcrest Baptist 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 6875 University Avenue. Ms. Stromberg stated the church would like to construct a new 80 square foot free-standing sign, of which 45 square feet of the sign will be the electronic message center. Ms. Stromberg stated the subject property is zoned R-3, Multi-Family and is located on the southeast th corner of University Avenue and 69 Avenue. It is bordered by Rice Creek on the south and City park land on the north. To the east of the property are single family homes. The church was originally constructed in 1965. A two-story addition used for administration and classroom use was constructed to the church in 1974 and in 1985 a gymnasium was added to the south side of the church building. A special use permit was issued for the gymnasium addition in 1985 to allow an expansion of a church use in a residentially zoned district. Planning Commission Meeting April 15, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Stromberg stated this property hasn’t had a free-standing sign. There is only signage on the church building. Ms. Stromberg stated institutions (churches, schools, hospitals, medical clinics) that are located on residentially zoned property have similar standards for signage as commercially zoned property. They are allowed to have one free-standing sign per development, with a maximum size of 80 square feet provided that 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), and the illuminated sign face must be perpendicular to an adjacent roadway and the sign cannnot create glare that will impact adjacent residential properties. Ms. Stromberg stated the proposed sign will be located approximately 240 feet from the closest residential property, which is located directly to the east, across the church parking lot, on Rice Creek Blvd. The illuminated sign faces will be facing north and south, which is perpendicular to University Avenue, 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 feet and will meet the maximum height requirement of 25 feet, and is proposed to be at least 10 feet from the west and north property lines. 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 doesn’t 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. 4. Prior to sign installation, the petitioner shall have the northwest property lines marked to verify sign location meets setback requirements. Co-Chairperson Oquist asked, what is the length of time the signs can flash? Ms. Stromberg replied, once every 45 seconds. Planning Commission Meeting April 15, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Sielaff asked, concerning glare, what are the factors that determine whether there is glare? Ms. Stromberg replied, in that situation because it is not facing the residential area, the City is not going to have an issue with that. However, if there were residences across the street on which the sign would be shining on a neighboring window of a house or something like that the City would need to address that; but they have not had that situation come up yet. Commissioner Sielaff stated so it is pretty much the location. It is not like there are glare proof materials that are used on the sign. Ms. Stromberg replied, not that she is aware of. Co-Chairperson Oquist asked whether the petitioner had any questions or issues with the stipulations? Shane Boskovich , Albrecht Sign Company, replied, no. The stipulations are fine. Commissioner Sielaff asked Mr. Boskovich is there an issue of glare on these signs or is it just where they are located? Mr. Boskovich replied, Ms. Stromberg put it best. If it was facing something you might have a glare issue but there are no "non-glare" materials. Paul Gunderson , Rice Creek Boulevard, stated nobody lives closer to the church than he does because his backyard abuts against the parking lot. When they moved in 14 years ago, his wife would give directions to people wanting to visit them by telling them go up University Avenue and turn right at the Baptist church. There is no Baptist church sign on 69th. He often wondered why doesn't that church put up a sign so they know this is the church property. He believes this is way overdue that this church be allowed to put up a sign to identify themselves to the neighborhood. As far as glare goes, years ago the church security lights were glaring into their back bedroom window; and the church was very cooperative in turning those so they would not shine into their house. The Baptist church has been very good neighbors to them. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CO-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSEDAT 7:11 P.M. MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff approving Special Use Permit, SP # 15-04, by Albrecht Sign Company, to allow an electronic message center sign as part of a new free-standing sign, generally located at 6875 University Avenue 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. Planning Commission Meeting April 15, 2015 Page 4 of 4 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 northwest property lines marked to verify sign location meets setback requirements. Seconded by Commissioner Velin. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CO-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Stromberg stated the special use permit for the cell tower at 960 Osborne Road was approved at the City Council meeting this week. Co-Chairperson Oquist asked, as it is? Ms. Stromberg replied, yes. Ms. Stromberg stated also the fence amendment text amendment that they heard at their meeting last month had its public hearing at the City Council. Ms. Stromberg stated next week is the City's last planning meeting for Columbia Arena. Chairperson Sielaff asked, what is on the agenda for that? Ms. Stromberg replied, it’s framing the recommendations. It is the fourth and final recap meeting from 6 to 8 o'clock at the Community Center. Chairperson Sielaff stated that has been pretty well-attended. Ms. Stromberg replied, yes, it has been. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner Sielaff adjourning the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CO-CHAIRPERSON OQUIST DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:13 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary