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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-06 TPC Planning Report TPC 3601 Thurston Avenue N,Suite 100 '=,9r! n�j'�t flSUR Anoka,MN 55303 Phone:763.231.5840 Facsimile:763.427.0520 TPC@PlanningCo.com PLANNING REPORT TO: Eric Johnson FROM: Scott Richards DATE: December 6,2017 RE: Oak Park Heights—First Presbyterian Church-Conditional Use Permit and Variance Application for Signage—6201 Osgood Avenue North FILE NO: 236.02—17.07 BACKGROUND Warren Wasescha, representing First Presbyterian Church has made application for a Conditional Use Permit and Variance application for Signage at 6201 Osgood Avenue. The application consists of requests for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for number of signs and aggregate square footage of sign area on site and Variance to allow for the proposed setback to property line. The existing monument sign on Osgood Avenue must be replaced to accommodate the additional right of way required by Washington County as part of roadway improvements that are programmed in 2018. Attached for reference: Exhibit 1: Location Map—First Presbyterian Church Exhibit 2: Sign Inventory—Wall and Existing Monument Signs Exhibit 3: Project Narrative and Proposed South Sign Exhibit 4: Graphic of Sign Lighting and Message Panel Exhibit 5: North and South View of Sign Exhibit 6: Proposed Materials Exhibit 7: Sign Location Map Exhibit 8: Proposed Changes to Existing North Sign Exhibit 9: Proposed Temporary Sign Exhibit 10: Landscape Plan Exhibit 11: Report of the City Arborist—November 30,2017 ISSUES ANALYSIS Project Narrative. Mr. Wasescha has provided the following narrative that is also found within Exhibit 3. In order to provide traffic and pedestrian safety, Washington County is widening Osgood Avenue to add a center lane, right turn lane, and sidewalk in front of our church. While good for safety, the project will take 15 feet of our front face to Osgood Avenue, leaving only 13 feet of land between the new sidewalk and existing parking lot, less width than our current sign takes now. We are asking for a variance to the current R-3 signage ordinance to construct a new sign with similar sign square footage as the original, and also a variance to the setback ordinance of 5 feet, due to the restricted size of the remaining land. The new sign will be just under 8 feet wide, leaving approximately 2 feet of space between the new sidewalk and the sign, and 2 Y2 feet of space between our existing parking lot curb and the sign. The overall monument sign itself will be significantly smaller, due to the removal of the two large pillars that exist today. The sign with itself will shrink from the current 96-inch width to 88-inch width. Overall the height of 6. 67 feet will be similar to the existing monument sign height, and within ordinance guidelines. Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan designates this area as quasi-public, which includes churches, on the Proposed Land Use Map. The use of the property for a church is consistent under this land use. Zoning Ordinance. The property is zoned R-3, Multiple Family Residential in which churches are a Conditional Use. The Applicant has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for number of signs and aggregate square footage of sign area on site and Variance to allow for the proposed setback to property line. Review of the criteria for Conditional Use Permits and Variances is found later in this report. Signage. The R-3 District, in Section 401 . 15.G.8.b. allows for uses such as churches, one monument sign, not to exceed eight feet in height and one wall sign. The aggregate square footage of sign space shall not exceed 40 square feet. The church signage was installed before the current sign regulations, and exceeds the allowances. The inventory of current signage is as follows: First Presbyterian Signage Type of Sign Location Square Footage Monument Sign Osgood Avenue 32.5 Monument Sign 62nd Street North 25.8 Wall Sign West Side of Building 58.6 Wall Sign West Side of Building 11 .1 Total 128 2 Conditional Use Permit The proposed new sign is to replace the monument sign on Osgood Avenue. The new sign will be built into a substantially smaller support structure and the sign face will be reduced from the existing 35.2 square feet to 34.2 square feet. There is no increase in numbers of sign,just the replacement of the Osgood Avenue sign and replacement of the sign face of the 62nd Street sign. With a total of four signs and 127 square feet of signage with the replaced sign,a Conditional Use Permit is required. The height of the new sign,at 6.6 square feet is less than the eight-foot height limit. The sign regulations allow for exceptions in numbers of, height,or size of signs by Conditional Use Permit. Variance Additionally,Section 401.15.G.4.m of the sign regulations states that"No part of a sign or sign structure shall be placed closer to the property line than five(5)feet." The new sign will be 2.5 feet from the property line/sidewalk and 2.5 feet from the edge of the church's parking lot. The proposed sign is 7 feet 10 inches wide,and will be placed in the 13 foot distance from the sidewalk and the curb of the parking lot. Washington County has indicated that the new right of way line will be adjacent to the sidewalk in this section of roadway. A survey of the new property line has not been provided by the County at this time. The Public Works Director has indicated that the City will maintain this sidewalk and confirmed that the 2.5-foot setback would be adequate for sidewalk snow clearing and maintenance purposes. A variance is required to vary from the sign setback requirement. Sion Illumination The proposed sign will be a back lit LED with panels that are opaque except for lettering and logos. The black letters will glow white at night and the logo will remain the same color as daylight. The sign will have changeable message panels that will also be lit at night.The proposed sign lighting,as presented,appears to comply with the Zoning Ordinance lighting requirements. Staff will approve the lighting specifications for the signs at the time of permitting. Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission and City Council should consider the following issues and impacts of the proposed project in making its recommendation. The conditional use permit criteria, found in Section 401.03.A.7 of the Zoning Ordinance,are found as follows: 1. Relationship to the specific policies and provisions of the municipal comprehensive plan. 2. The conformity with present and future land uses in the area. 3. The environmental issues and geographic area involved. 3 4. Whether the use will tend to or actually depreciate the area in which it is proposed. 5. The impact on character of the surrounding area. 6. The demonstrated need for such use. 7. Traffic generation by the use in relation to capabilities of streets serving the property. 8. The impact upon existing public services and facilities including parks, schools, streets, and utilities, and the City's service capacity. 9. The proposed use's conformity with all performance standards contained herein (i.e., parking, loading, noise, etc.). Comment: The replacement of the monument sign should not create an issue for neighboring properties and is a substantially smaller structure overall than what exists. The sign will be placed far enough from the intersection of Osgood Avenue and 62nd Street North that there will be no visibility issues at the intersection. The overall number of signs onsite has not created issues for the neighborhood or the City. The request is minor and not out of nature with other requests that have been granted to vary from the sign regulations. City Staff sees no issues with the request as proposed. Sign Variance. Variance criteria are provided in Section 401 .04 of the Oak Park Heights Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission and the City Council should review the following criteria and conditions to determine if the sign variance is justified. Review Criteria. The Planning Commission and City Council should make a finding of fact that the proposed action will not: a. Impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property. b. Unreasonably increase the congestion in the public street. c. Have the effect of allowing any district uses prohibited therein, permit a lesser degree of flood protection than the flood protection elevation for the particular area or permit standards which are lower than those required by State law. d. Increase the danger of fire or endanger the public safety. e. Unreasonably diminish or impair established property values within the neighborhood, or in any way be contrary to the intent of this Ordinance. f. Violate the intent and purpose of the Comprehensive Plan. g. Violate any of the terms or conditions of Item 5, below. h. Conditions for Approval. A variance from the terms of this Ordinance shall not be granted unless it can be demonstrated that: a. Undue hardship will result if the variance is denied due to the existence of special conditions and circumstances which are peculiar to the land, structure, or building involved and which are not applicable to other lands, structures or buildings in the same district. 1 ) Special cases may include exceptional topographic or water conditions or, in the case of an existing lot or parcel of record, narrowness, shallowness, insufficient area or shape of the property. 2) Undue hardship caused by the special conditions and circumstances may not be solely economic in nature, if a reasonable use of the property exists under the terms of this Title. 3) Special conditions and circumstances causing undue hardship shall not be a result of lot size or building location when the lot qualifies as a buildable parcel. 4 b. Literal interpretation of the provisions of this Ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this ordinance or deny the applicant the ability to put the property in question to a reasonable use. c. The special conditions and circumstances causing the undue hardship does not result from the actions of the applicant. d. Granting the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by this Ordinance to other lands, structure or buildings in the same district under the same conditions. e. The request is not a result of non-conforming lands, structures or buildings in the same district. f. The request is not a use variance. g. The variance requested is the minimum variance necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the applicant. h. The request does not create an inconvenience to neighboring properties and uses. Comment: The sign should not have any neighborhood impact and will not endanger the public safety. The sign replacement has not been initiated by the Church, but is required by Washington County to make roadway improvements to Osgood Avenue. The sign structure has been reduced substantially, and the sign face is smaller than the existing sign. The Church has indicated that a sign of this size is necessary for visibility along Osgood Avenue. The Public Works Director has indicated there should be no issues with maintaining the sidewalk with a 2.5-foot setback. The 2.5-foot setback on the parking lot side is also necessary for maintenance purposes. City Staff does not have an issue with allowing the sign setback variance. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION if the Planning Commission agrees to recommend the requests for the Conditional Use Permit and Variances, they should consider the conditions that follow: City Staff recommends the Conditional Use Permit and Variance request. • Conditional Use Permit-To allow for a total of four signs where two are allowed and an aggregate square footage of sign area on site of 127 square feet where a maximum of 40 square feet are allowed. • Variance—To allow a 2.5-foot setback where a five-foot setback is required from the Osgood Avenue right of way. 1. The monument sign shall be placed no less than 2.5 feet from the right of way line of Osgood Avenue. The Applicant provide an as built survey of the sign once installed. The survey shall show the setback distances from the property line to the sign and the parking lot curb to the sign. 2. The sign specifications and methods of illumination shall be subject to review and approval of the City at the time of permitting. 5 3. A landscape plan for the area around the new sign shall be subject to review and approval of the City Arborist. pc: Julie Hultman 6 ,:,. , 1,_,..,..._,..iiiiii.- '''l , __,_._ ____+_.-,.A;, _._ '1 • '` '� s til• . 1 � ;F'5:. vy( I-, �lJ x -�4 ,t, 11- '� sy z a 6 ffi`�#� '4' _ v� ▪ r P6P�` y • • Ali .` _ A • : _ E . N . „ +fir.: . , s ; �� %- •'' : .r.. 1 it i *�., . "y � # a j w oil ... dill flog" . ___. r, ;ILIi 4 ;_.�_ Li.b, �, s r fr # �. }- , , 5 F ::::,;*,,1::::.:.-2:7,:::1-4',.:,,,....-• iikt'''. biir r .. a , ; z j F 4 .. . . . , . , d s [.„x ks A North Side=35.25 sq.ft. 25.86 sq.ft. ;,. .rr 01111.,�, errs k WORSHIP 930 i `^ - PRESBYTERIAN J -, . CHURCH .. 1 • �. • , it lifiettifit . ',1 -- w � L, / /' ..c 11I - ..�� i7T d IVO 's4611—iiillile. 4 r.. 1 -'4,::',..:' r-......_ .... South Side=35.25 sq.ft. C 58.67 sq.ft. D 11.18 sq.ft. 47 !v 4 First Presbyterian Church — Variance Request In order to improve traffic and pedestrian safety, Washington County is widening Osgood Avenue to add a center lane, right turn lane, and sidewalk in front of our church. While good for safety, the project will take 15 feet of our front face to Osgood Avenue, leaving only 13 feet of land between the new sidewalk and existing parking lot, less width than our current sign takes now. We are asking for a variance to the current R-3 signage ordinance to construct a new sign with similar sign square footage as the original, and also a variance to the setback ordinance of 5 feet, due to the restricted size of the remaining land. The new sign will be just under 8 feet wide, leaving approximately 2-1/2 feet of space between the new sidewalk and the sign, and 2-1/2 feet of space between our existing parking lot curb and the sign. The overall monument sign itself will be significantly smaller, due to the removal of the two large pillars that exist today. The sign width itself will shrink from the current 96" width to 88" width. Overall height of 6.67 feet will be similar to the existing monument sign height, and within ordinance guidelines. 88" '� � . k, CU t ,r 4 34.2 Sq. Ft. ___-- FIRST c35.2 PRESBYTERIAN il it, I Rs r ,...' °� aa . , M1 Ft. C H U RC H ba 0 c� ,,. o ,�, II - s'. ' ext',. "'ilii 12" WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY V) N hip. ,. b µ- 32" width This area 0 sign when approved by city had childcare 48" width .., : ` 0 signandconsidered part of grandfathered sign space. '.`.+r ,„'5���-.,� „'� ,NW .ars •-' ' ,,,,,„ ;,,. � .a �;,.. .ar rr.a m. •• we F.. m • 94" I 4 4 10 14' 8" feet 7' 10" width RECEIVED NOV 1 4 2017 Efi 1- View - Approach from North Sign will be backlit LED. Panels are opaque except for lettering and logos - White background has black letters that glow white at 44„ FIRST ' night. Logos illuminate in same color as daylight P RE S BYTE RI AN - Black bronze background has white letters that glow white CHURCH at night. 12" WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY Sign is designed to have the option of sliding in one of eight messages where "WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY" panel is. These alternative messages to "WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY" fit within 22" _ • 1 the sign size and result in a more attractive alternative to hanging vinyl banners over the stone pillars as is done now. I 94" I Here are four examples: CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES 5:30 9:00 & MIDNIGHT F I RST EASTER WORSHIP PRESBYTERIAN SUN 9:00 & 10:30 CHURCH ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL 151- WEEK OF JULY SAT 10-4 SUN 11-2 ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET 6201 SAT 10-4 SUN 11-2 t5 View - Approach from North View - Approach from South i --------- No - -----...41t, ‘o 44" FIRST FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CHURCH I a) 1 " WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY 6201 4.0 22" 6201 (i) 94', 0?J s o Z FIRST FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CHURCH WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:30 SUNDAY 6201 _ _ 6201 Epi w Presbyterian Church New Monument Sign Proposed Materials for First Backlit Upper Sign Panel White Opaque Painted Metal Panel with Laser Cuts for Lettering & Logos Backlit Lower Sign Panel Matches bronze black cladding on church ' a +n hri.n ItliiA Monument Base — Natural Stone , c-6,411 r-ill -"? 4 Fond du Lac Cambrian Blend ���.e.. '"` Hedberg Landscape Supply a , , , .. r Per ordinance takes warmth cues from church structure TM j while blending in with organic nature of rain gardens in , , parking lot Zn. —T f�( 7 Osgood Avenue Right Turn Lane Sidewalk 1 I Sidewalk .5' Old 14.67' wide _,/vI i New 8' wide monument sign 1 1 II! - monument sign Ilk 2.5' 120 •%y Monument sign will be landscaped per ordinance. �+- Design plan for church frontage and north sign pending from Abrahamson Nursery. This is just an early concept •� Rain Gardens Rain Gardens V 0 J Rain Gardens Rain Gardens eri 8 b terian Church - Proposed North Monument SignFirst Pres y Changes As suggested in discussions with city, we will "refresh" the north sign along 62nd Street, keeping within the existing footprint that now exists. We will also landscape around the existing monument sign per city ordinance. Sign will be high quality laser cut composite to be consistent with newer sign ordinance guidance. .. r::, . . . . FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP 9 30 FIRST 24 PRESBYTERIAN24 Sq. Ft. CHURCH Sq. Ft. q 4-LABYRINTH MAIN ENTRANCE 0 Landscape Plan Monument Sign Pending from Abrahamson's Nursery ..iii ct Sign is Planned DuringConstruction A 8 by4 Temporary ,„ � Mx "",,'d ..... .... „ , � i .. 51 F I I FIRST .. ... . , . , ,..„ ,..„„:.. .R.E S ., , ,.,,,„.,.. .. .. . ,... .. . , PRESIWTIER1AN . _ .... . , .. ,.. ... . CHURCH U RC H ef.........H.lt,„„ ,.., . . . .. .... . ,. , . ,.., ...if** 4 4,., dig ::.', ..... ...[. A •�s' ,.*« A s- :. ,* >R' ate° , ',, i. w t t 3 Z o J *I Ix z s z al. ! )tim o,__. ( ,it il a iii a ii— u, i diill I aa 2 ,!/ i 4c: '1 i -°" 1,1 } 1 elq 1 IA ry ii lii ii,h 4I Ntr -14 3 Z /IL °1:1 .: pp% i I I ' 1111' I11 I I I i In i 1 ' II fi i i. 1 i 2 pe 0 ., 11 VII 1 2 ' 1I_ 1 A * ig m !" gl i 1 ., =r,.-p. ...-,. Ili i II .1* ..;-,, .• ,1 -`:..111,--,40P1:2 I, Ill' I i_ 1:'--#. .,:..-: - it i U J J �. :. Y 1 >0.00,00/_',., 4 y , tM kt7 i' t 3 J I 8 O ai r l i., i r.. '-:,— -,. 14Y it . ; 10: 1.4 le.°40,116, zn (7.1'i8 zi z,-, 7 N �F 35 5 E E( ll City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd N.•Box 2007•Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone(651)439-4439•Fax 439-0574 Memorandum To: Eric Johnson,City Administrator Cc: Scott Richards,City Planner,Julie Hultman,Building Official From:Lisa Danielson,Arborist Date: 11/30/2017 Re: First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater Landscape Plan Review I have reviewed the landscape plan submitted dated 11/20/17 from Abrahamson Nurseries for the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater. The following includes my comments and/or recommendations: Landscape Plan The overall landscape plan submitted includes a satisfactory selection of shade trees,shrubs, perennials and grasses to be planted.The design is acceptable and will complement the site well. Most plants chosen are hardy under local growing conditions, tolerant or resistant to major insect and disease problems and fairly low maintenance. I would however like to make a recommendation in regards to substituting the trees on the plan.The Autumn Blaze Maple is a tree that can be fast growing and is a large shade tree.In this area there are overhead utility lines, a sidewalk that will require maintenance with snow removal equipment and also traffic visibility from the road and your parking lot in which large trees can obstruct,therefore I would like to recommend substituting the Autumn Blaze Maples with an ornamental tree species such as a Japanese lilac 'Ivory Silk' or a scab resistant variety of crabapple such as Malus'Prairifire'crabapple and/or Malus'Royal Raindrops'. Plant List,Landscape Notes&Details The Plant Schedule/Plant List was not submitted.This must include Plant Names(Common& Botanical),Plant Quantities to be planted,Root Condition/Containter Class,and Size. A plant legend should also be included on the plant and in the Plant Schedule/Plant List. The landscaping notes, landscape requirements and planting details were not submitted. These items must be submitted.The planting detail for trees,shrub and perennial plants,and steel edging must also include a diagram for each. The landscape contractor is required to plant TREE CITY U.S.A. trees and shrubs according to the final approved planting detail submitted with the final approved landscape plan. This will be checked after planting and any deviations from the plan will need to be corrected before the landscaping will be approved by the City, this needs to be noted in the final plans. The (A.N.S.I.) American Standards for Nursery Stock Z60 should also be followed and noted in the landscaping notes. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this landscape plan review. Please forward my comments to the development team for this project. 2 TREE CITY U.S.A.