Adopt Resolution #19-183 to Grant a Conditional Use Permit for an Oversized Second Ground Sign at 8390 Highway 10 NW (Project No. 19-128); Case of Lazydays RV

The City has received an application from Lazydays RV (the "Applicant") to maintain an oversized, second ground sign on the property located at 8390 Highway 10 NW (the "Subject Property"). City Code Section 117-459 (Variations) states that any deviations from the sign standards shall be processed as a Conditional Use Permit.

Notifications of this proposal were sent via Standard US Mail to Property Owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property, as reflected by Anoka County Property Records. A notice was also published in the Anoka Union Herald, the City's official newspaper, for the August 1, 2019 Planning Commission meeting.  No additional notices were sent out for this meeting.

The Subject Property is zoned B-2 Highway Business and has three (3) frontages (Highway 10, Llama Street, and Riverdale Drive). Parcels within this zoning district are eligible for one (1) ground not exceeding 100 square feet in area or twenty-five (25) feet in height. Additionally, parcels with multiple frontages are eligible for a secondary ground sign not exceeding fifty (50) square feet or twelve and half (12.5) feet in height (essentially half of what is allowed for a primary ground sign). However, the Subject Property is also located in the Armstrong Boulevard Interchange Overlay District, which does allow for a ground sign up to 150 square feet in area and fifty (50) feet in height.

There is an existing ground sign on the Subject Property that is twenty-two (22) feet in height about forty-nine (49) square feet in area. This sign complies with all existing sign standards. But, the Applicant has applied for a Sign Permit to construct a new ground sign that would be fifty (50) feet tall and 150 square feet in size, which is allowable within the Overlay District, and this would become the primary ground sign on the Subject Property.

The Applicant has expressed a desire to retain the existing ground sign for promoting their largest vendor's products (available for purchase on site). Again, the Subject Property is eligible for a second ground sign based on the number of road frontages. The square footage of the existing sign is compliant as well (fifty [50] square feet or less). However, the height is approximately twenty-two (22) feet, which exceeds the allowable height of twelve and a half (12.5) feet for a second ground sign.

The Planning Commission conducted a Public Hearing on this matter at their August 1, 2019 meeting.  There were no written or verbal comments received.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Motion to adopt Resolution #19-183 granting a Conditional Use Permit to the Applicant to maintain an oversized, second ground sign on the Subject Property. The sign presently is in full compliance with sign standards. Once the proposed new sign is installed, the existing ground sign would be classified as a second ground sign. Its square footage would still be compliant but the height would exceed the allowable twelve and a half (12.5) feet. Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Motion to deny the request for a Conditional Use Permit. If the Conditional Use Permit is not granted, then the existing ground sign would need to be removed and/or modified so that the height is reduced accordingly before the Sign Permit for the new ground sign can be issued. Staff does not support this alternative.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with this request.

The Planning Commission recommends approving the request for a Conditional Use Permit to maintain an oversized, second ground sign on the Subject Property.

Motion to adopt Resolution #19-183 granting a Conditional Use Permit to maintain an oversized, second ground sign on the Subject Property.