Adopt Resolution #17-10-245 Approving the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to Anoka Ramsey Farm & Garden, located at 7435 Highway 10 (PRoject No. 17-148) to Increase Square Footage of a Ground Sign on a Property in the H-1 Highway 10 Business District and Declaring Terms of Same

The City has received an application from Tom Tidrick (the "Applicant") on behalf of Anoka-Ramsey Farm & Garden requesting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to exceed sign size restrictions for a ground sign on the parcel located at 7435 Highway 10 (the "Subject Property").

The Applicant applied for a sign permit to add an LED dynamic sign panel to the existing ground sign. Since this sign does not meet the City's definition of a temporary sign and exceeds maximum size for a permanent sign in the H-1 Highway 10 Business District, Staff finds that processing a Conditional Use Permit ensures equitable enforcement of sign regulations for parcels located in the H-1 District and removes any uncertainty on how this sign should be classified.

In accordance with State statute, Staff attempted to notify property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property of the public hearing via Standard US Mail. The Public Hearing was also noticed in the Anoka County Union Herald, the City's official newsletter.

The Subject Property has frontage along US Highway 10. As with all sign regulations in the City, there is built in flexibility within the Sign Ordinance to address deviations through the use of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process. As proposed, the aggregate square footage of the ground would exceed 100 square feet as permitted in City Code.

The proposed sign is one (1) LED permanent sign panel in the H-1 Highway Business District. The sign would be affixed to the existing ground sign located near the south boundary of the Subject Property. The proposed sign is fifty (50) inches by ninety-seven (97) inches for a total of approximately thirty-four (34) square feet. The total size of the ground sign, including the proposed LED signboard, would be 128 square feet. The City does have record of approving the current ground sign. The existing reader board will be removed prior to the LED sign being installed.

The City has previously approved conditional use permit applications relating to requests to exceed square footage of signs. Staff feels this is a reasonable request that will also reduce the potential for unauthorized temporary signs to be displayed on the Subject Property. The Building Division has reviewed the existing footing information and has determined that no modifications would be necessary to accommodate the additional signage.

The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on the request on October 12, 2017 and there were no written or verbal comments received.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Motion to adopt Resolution #17-10-245 approving a Conditional Use Permit for the addition of a thirty-four (34) square foot LED sign panel on the existing ground sign at 7435 US Highway 10 (Anoka-Ramsey Farm & Garden). The Subject Property has frontage along Highway 10 and is thus allowed one ground sign. The proposal is for an increase in square footage that totals 128 square feet per face and 256 square feet aggregate. Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Motion to deny the request. The proposed signage appears reasonable in size and is less than what the total allowable square footage for signs if the property had two (2) street frontages. The proposed location of the sign is not within the vision clearance triangle nor within any easement. Staff does not support this alternative.

All costs associated with reviewing the application are the responsibility of the Applicant.

The Planning Commission recommends approving the request for a Conditional Use Permit to exceed the allowable square footage for a ground sign.

Motion to adopt Resolution #17-10-245 approving the request for a conditional use permit to exceed sign size restrictions established in City Code for Anoka-Ramsey Farm & Garden.