HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2012-266CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION No. 2012-266
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE FOR ST. PHILIP THE DEACON LUTHERAN
CHURCH TO ALLOW A FREESTANDING SIGN EXCEEDING SIX FEET HIGH AT 17205 COUNTY
ROAD 6 (2012060)
WHEREAS, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church has requested approval of a variance
to allow an eight -foot high free-standing sign, where six feet is the maximum allowed by the
zoning ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the subject property is legally described as follows:
All that part of the East 600 feet of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest
Quarter of Section 29, Township 118, Range 22 lying South of the Southerly
right of way line of County Road No. 6, and North of the South 577.4 feet thereof,
according to the United State Government Survey thereof and situated in
Hennepin County, Minnesota.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed said request at a duly called public
meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve the
request by St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church for a variance to allow an eight -foot high, free-
standing sign, where six feet is the maximum allowed by the zoning ordinance, for property
located at 17205 County Road 6, subject to the following:
1. The requested variance is hereby approved, in accordance with the application received by
the city on July 23, 2012 and revised sign plan received by the city on August 2, 2012,
except as may be amended by this resolution.
2. The requested variance is approved, based on the finding that all applicable variance
standards have been met, specifically:
a) The requested variance would be in harmony with the general purposes and intent of
the ordinance, and would be consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.
b) The applicant has demonstrated that there are practical difficulties in meeting the
height requirement, because:
Resolution 2012-266
(2012060)
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The applicant proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner.
1. The request is due to unique circumstances that were not created by the applicant.
The existing 32 -square foot sign is constricted with back-to-back sign boards that
are attached to concrete column footings. The proposed 32 -square foot sign
would improve aesthetics, as it would be constricted as a monument sign with a
contiguous sign base and a roof that is designed to match the church building.
Nearly half of the proposed sign height (3.5 feet) would be used for the sign base
and roof. The two -foot sign base would keep the electronic portion of the sign
above snow drifts that accumulate along County Road 6 during winter months.
2. The variance would not alter the essential character of the lot or surrounding area.
The proposed sign would be located approximately 204 feet from the residential
apartment property to the west and 396 feet from the closest single family
residential property to the east. The sign would be located 113 feet from the
residential apartment property to the north (across County Road 6). The sign
would be faced east/west (perpendicular to the residential property to the north),
which would limit views of the sign from the residential property to the north.
The proposed two feet of additional sign height would not be out of character with
the surrounding area.
c) The requested variance is not based exclusively upon economic considerations. The
applicant is proposing to constrict a sign that is two feet higher than the ordinance
standard for people to have an easier view of the church sign.
d) The variance would not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent
properties, nor would it increase traffic congestion or the danger of fire, endanger the
public safety, or substantially diminish property values within the neighborhood. The
electronic changeable copy portion of the sign would be turned off between the hours
of 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
e) The variance requested is the minimum action required to address the practical
difficulties.
3. A sign permit and an electrical permit are required prior to commencement of the
rp olect.
4. The variance shall expire one year after the date of approval, unless the property owner or
applicant has commenced the authorized improvement or use, or unless the applicant, with
the consent of the property owner, has received prior approval from the city to extend the
expiration date for up to one additional year, as regulated under section 21030.06 of the
zoning ordinance.
Approved this 28th day of August 28 2012.
Resolution 2012-266
(2012060)
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STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS.
The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Plymouth,
Minnesota, certifies that I compared the foregoing resolution adopted at a meeting of the
Plymouth City Council on August 28, 2012, with the original thereof on file in my office, and the
same is a correct transcription thereof.
WITNESS my hand officially as such City Clerk and the Corporate seal of the City this
day of
City Clerk