HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-05 TPC Planning Report TPC3601 Thurston Avenue N,Suite 1001v^"'`�" 3
Anoka,MN 55303
Phone:763.231.5840
Facsimile:763.427.0520
TPC@PlanningCo.com
PLANNING REPORT
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: July 5,2018
RE: Oak Park Heights — Joseph's Restaurant — Freestanding Sign
Variance and Conditional Use Permit—14608 60th Street North
TPC FILE: 236.02—18.04
BACKGROUND
Joseph Kohler has made application for a Variance and Conditional Use Permit to allow
for a changeable copy sign that exceeds the allowable 35 percent of sign area for the
Joseph's Restaurant at 14608 608 Street North. The changeable copy sign will replace
the existing reader board sign on the freestanding Joseph's Restaurant sign.
EXHIBITS
The review is based upon the following submittals:
Exhibit 1: Applicant's Narrative(6/11/18 and 6/29/18)
Exhibit 2: Existing Sign Picture with Previously Proposed Sign(Drawing 5)
Exhibit 3: Existing Sign Picture
Exhibit 4: Joseph's Restaurant Site Plan
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The applicant's narrative for the project is found as Exhibit 1.
I, Joseph Kohler, owner of Joseph's Restaurant would like to change out my old(1970)
reader board with a new LED board.
The old board is 40 square feet. The new one is 37.9 square feet.
Staff narrative: The original application requested the replacement of the existing
signage on the freestanding sign to an LED sign that would have been 4ft 8 in x 9ft 5in.
The new sign would have replaced the existing Joseph's Restaurant and Bar sign and
the changeable letter sign. Mr. Kohler has revised his request to leave the existing
Joseph's Restaurant and Bar sign and just replace the existing reader board sign with
an LED sign.
ISSUES ANALYSIS
Comprehensive Plan. The property is designated as Commercial on the Proposed
Land Use Map. The continued use of the site as a restaurant is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan.
Zoning. The property is zoned B-2 General Business District. Restaurants are a
permitted use in the B-2 Limited Business District. While the sign is grandfathered,
changes to the sign will require a Variance and Conditional Use Permit to change out
the reader board to an electronic message board sign.
Signage.
The existing freestanding sign is 24.5 feet in height. The Joseph's Restaurant and bar
sign at the top is 70 square feet,while the reader board sign is 40 square feet. The sign
regulations allow an 18-foot sign and a sign size of 80 square feet. As indicated, the
height of the sign and the sign square footage is grandfathered and allowed to remain if
the signs are not replaced.
The Applicant is now proposing to allow the Joseph's Restaurant sign to remain and
replace the reader board to an LED of 37.9 square feet. The new electronic message
board sign must be in compliance with Section 401.15.G.10.a. of the Zoning Ordinance.
The changeable copy portion of the sign shall not occupy more than 35 percent of the
actual copy and graphic area of the sign. If the allowable signage in the B-2 District is
80 square foot, 35 percent would be 28 square feet for the maximum size of the
electronic message board. This request shall require review of a Variance to allow the
proposed electronic sign area as well as a Conditional Use Permit to allow the proposed
total signage area of 107.9 square feet. Section 401.15.G.16 of the sign regulations
provides criteria for review of Variances. That review is as follows:
1) That particular physical surrounding, shape, or topographical conditions of the
specific parcel of land involved exist.
Comment: There are no obstructions to the visibility of this property or the
existing sign location. The Applicant has indicated that a 28 square foot
electronic message board would not be highly visible along the Highway 36
corridor.
2) That the condition involved is unique to the particular parcel of land involved.
Comment: There is nothing unique to this particular parcel of land. It is not
within the Destination Retail Highway Sign District that makes allowances for
2
properties impacted by the intersection of Highways 36 and 5. Stillwater Motors
has been provided this allowance in that they are within the Destination Retail
Sign District and agreed to reduce the amount of special event signage in
exchange for the electronic message boards.
3) That the purpose of the variation is not based exclusively upon a desire to
increase the value of income potential of the business involved.
Comment: The applicant has indicated that the purpose is to provide an
electronic sign face large enough to accommodate their desired message. The
proposed electronic message board (37.9 sq ft) is slightly smaller than the
existing reader board (40 sq ft).
4) That the alleged difficulty or hardship is caused by this Ordinance and has not
been created by any persons presently having an interest in the parcel.
Comment: This is an existing grandfathered sign in which the Applicant chooses
to use portions of the old sign and replace another portion with new technology.
If this had been a totally new sign request, there would be no justification to allow
signage beyond the parameters of the ordinance.
5) That the granting of the variation will not be detrimental to the public welfare or
injurious to other land or improvements in the neighborhood.
Comment: The variation will not be detrimental to the public or the
neighborhood.
6) That the proposed variation will not impair an adequate supply of light and air
to adjacent property, or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets
or interfere with the function of the Police and Fire Departments of the City.
Comment: The request will not have an impact on air and light to adjacent
properties and will not interfere with public streets.
For the reasons listed above, Staff would support the Variance and Conditional Use
Permit for replacement of the reader board with the electronic message board.
Signage Illumination. The sign will be required to comply with the Zoning Ordinance
lighting requirements. Staff will approve the lighting specifications for the signs at the
time of permitting.
CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION
Subject to the preceding review, City Staff recommends approval of the Variance and
Conditional Use Permit for the requests to allow the proposed electronic sign area as
well as the proposed total signage area of 107.9 square feet subject to the conditions
that follow:
3
1 . The proposed electronic message board shall not be more than 40 square feet in
size.
2. All signs shall be designed to comply with the Zoning Ordinance requirements for
internal illumination.
pc: Julie Hultman
4
e/X- 1
To the City council of Oak Park Heights
I, Joseph Kohler would like to make an upgrade at my 44-year-old
business. I have had a reader board sign for ever. This board is up high
and someone needs to climb a ladder to change the letters twice a day.
It's dangerous. It's old fashioned and basically ugly. This new electronic
sign (like the one at Stillwater Motors, Pizza Ranch, the v.f.w.) would be
a great improvement. The old sign makes Josephs look old and
outdated. So here are a few points why I need this updated sign.
1. Show our ever-changing products.
2. Enhance communication to our guest.
3. Add Relevant information on the City, County, traffic, weather
4. Influence buyer's decisions with updated products.
5. Upgrade, new technology make us a better business.
6. Upgraded sign means updated look.
I would like to thank everyone for reading my reasons for this updated
sign and upgraded look at Josephs. We can change how great this
community is one step at a time. This is progress for Josephs and a nice
clean look for our City of Oak Park Heights.
Thank you
Joe Kohler
Josephs
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