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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 1999-254CITY OF PLYMOUTH RESOLUTION 99-254 APPROVING SIGN VARIANCES TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL FREESTANDING SIGNS IN THE PLYMOUTH BUSINESS CENTER FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION FOR PROPERTIES LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST CORNERS OF FERNBROOK LANE AND 34TH AVENUE (99029) WHEREAS, an application has been filed by Visual Communication which requests approval of sign variances to allow additional freestanding signs in the Plymouth Business Center for property legally described as follows: Lot 2, Block 2, Plymouth Business Center 5th Addition Lot 1, Block 1, Plymouth Woods Office Center WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the request at a duly called public meeting and recommends approval. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve the request by Visual Communication for sign variances to permit additional freestanding signs for property located at the northeast and southeast corners of Fernbrook Lane and 34th Avenue, subject to the following conditions: 1. This resolution approves variances to permit a total of two freestanding signs on Lot 2, Block 2, Plymouth Business Center 5th Addition, and a total of three freestanding signs on Lot 1, Block 1, Plymouth Woods Office Center in accordance with the plans and application received by the City on March 26, 1999, except as amended by this resolution. 2. Wall signs for the building located on Lot 1, Block 1, Plymouth Woods Business Center shall not exceed three percent of the wall area. Resolution 99-254 (99029) Page 2 3. The variance for the sign on the northeast corner of Fernbrook Lane and 34th Avenue is approved with the finding that the applicable variance standards are met. Specifically: a) The applicant has identified a hardship due to the physical size of the existing development. The development consists of 15 buildings, which are located along Annapolis Lane and 34th Avenue. The Plymouth Business Center parcels are the only properties that receive access from Annapolis Lane between Co. Rd. 9 and 34th Avenue. Additionally, the project identification sign would replace an existing sign at this location. b) The size and number of buildings of the Plymouth Business Center makes the development unique as compared to other office/industrial parks. The applicant is proposing a uniform sign plan for the entire development. c) The proposed sign would not increase the value or income potential of the land; but rather, would help identify the location of the center. d) The elimination of the PUD as part of the City-wide Zoning Ordinance update made the existing sign non -conforming. The applicant is requesting a variance to replace the existing sign with a larger sign that would match the other signage proposed for the center. e) The proposed sign would not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other land or improvements in the neighborhood, because the sign would meet the applicable setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. f) The proposed 5.8 -foot high sign would not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets, increase the danger of fire, endanger the public safety, or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood. The sign would meet applicable setback requirements and would not be located within the sight visibility triangle. g) The sign variance as approved by this resolution is the minimum action necessary to eliminate the hardship. 4. The variances for the additional freestanding directional and tenant name signs at the southeast corner of Fernbrook Lane and 34th Avenue are approved with the finding that the applicable variance standards are met. Specifically: a) The applicant has identified a hardship in the physical surroundings of the development, which consists of a large multi -tenant building. The applicant is proposing to install additional freestanding signs to direct traffic and identify tenant names, as opposed to hanging individual tenant signs on the building. The City has approved similar sign variances involving freestanding signs when the applicant has agreed to limit the amount of wall signs. Resolution 99-254 (99029) Page 3 b) The applicant is proposing a uniform sign plan for the entire Plymouth Business Center. The sign variances on the Plymouth Woods office site are intended to direct traffic and identify tenant names. As part of the approved sign plan, the applicant would limit the amount of wall signs on the building. c) The proposed signs would not increase the value or income potential of the land; but rather, would help identify the location of the building and tenants. d) The hardship is caused by the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant is requesting the variances to allow additional freestanding signs for building and tenant identification, which would allow the applicant to reduce the amount of wall signs on the building. e) The proposed signs would not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other land or improvements in the neighborhood, because the signs would meet applicable setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. f) The proposed signs would not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets, increase the danger of fire, endanger the public safety, or substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood. The signs would meet applicable setback requirements, and would not be located within the sight triangle. Additionally, the tenant identification sign would not be directly visible from the adjacent roads. g) The requested variance is the minimum action necessary to eliminate the hardship. The proposed 15 -square foot directional sign and 30 -square foot tenant name sign appear to be the minimum size needed to provide a reasonable opportunity to identify tenant names and give directional information. Additionally, the tenant name sign is designed to direct traffic on the site and would not be directly visible from the adjacent roadways. 6. Any subsequent phases or expansions are subject to required reviews and approvals per Ordinance provisions. 7. This approval shall expire one year after the date of approval, unless the property owner or applicant has substantially started construction of the project, or unless the landowner or applicant 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. Adopted by the City Council on June 1, 1999. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS. Resolution 99-254 (99029) Page 4 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 June 1, 1999 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