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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-22 NAC Planning Report - Working CopyNorthwest Associated Consultants, Inc. U R B A N P L A N N I N G D E S I G N M A R K E T R E S E A R C H PLANNING REPORT TO: Oak Park Heights Mayor and City Council FROM: Robert Kirmis /Curtis Gutoske DATE: 22 January 1990 FE: Oak Park Heights St. Croix Mall Expansion Signage Plan FILE NO: 798.02 88.28 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background: Watson Center Inc. has submitted a comprehensive sign plan for the St. C :coix.Mall. The submission of the plan responds to a condition of approval set forth last July when the Mall expansion received its PUD amendment. The subject site is zoned B -2, General Business with a conditional use PUD. Attached for reference: 40 Exhibit A Sign Plan Summary Exhibit B Pylon Sign Exhibit C Entrance Canopy Signs Exhibit D Snyder Bros. Canopy Sign Exhibit E Hardware Hank Canopy Sign Exhibit F Osgood Avenue Canopy Sign Exhibit G Herberger's Wall Sign Exhibit H Theater Wall Signs Exhibit I Traffic Signage Exhibit J City Engineer's Report T/Lt C�py 4601 Excelsior Blvd. Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55416.(612) 925-9420• Fax 925 -2721 Recommendation: Review of the submitted sign plan has been found to be generally acceptable. Approval is however, contingent upon the fulfillment of the following conditions: 1. The City finds the proposed pylon sign height of 54' -6" acceptable under the provisions of the PUD. The proposed "Snyder Bros. Drug" and "Hardware Hank" canopy signs are reduced in size in accordance with the following provisions: o Maximum allowed illuminated area of the awning /canopy be 20 percent of the individual store facade. o Maximum allowed lettering area be 15 percent of the individual store facade. 3. Each individual canopy sign for the retail shops facing Osgood Avenue be restricted to 90 square feet in area or 15 percent of the facade area for its respective business, whichever is applicable. 4. The City finds the proposed "Herbergers" wall mounted sign, which measures 266 square feet in area, acceptable under the provisions of the PUD. 5. The City finds the wall mounted theater signs acceptable with the understanding that they vary from the Ordinance standard which disallows wall signs to businesses without exclusive exterior entrances. If the signs are found acceptable, they should only be placed adjacent to those public entrances used for the theaters while the balance of the Mall is closed. 6. Both the "LeSalon" and "MGM Liquor Warehouse" wall signs are removed at the time when the Mall's facade renovation is complete. 7. The Traffic Signage Plan be revised in accordance with the comments of this report and the recommendations of the City Engineer. 7� i1 b`i b'cafz 120-122--r .te r- 4 sin .a�E i t 5 ao e. r, 'Ysto'e CASE ANALYSIS The applicant's sign plan calls for the addition and modification of a number of signs as well as the installation of several parking and traffic control signs. Sign types proposed include a pylon sign, wall mounted signs, canopy signs and traffic control signs. All signs shall be subject to those requirements set 2 forth within Section 401.03.I of the Zoning Ordinance for B -2 zoning districts and the recommendations of the City Engineer. A summary of sign plan components is listed on Exhibit A. Pylon Sign: As shown on Exhibit B, the applicant proposes to modify the existing St. Croix Mall pylon sign by capping it with a 6' -4" gable and additional 10 foot high flag type pole. The proposed sign extension would raise the pylon's height from 38' -0" to 54'- 6". According to Section 401.03.I.4.d.(1), free standing signs, such as the one in question, may not exceed 30 feet in height. While the existing and proposed sign height does exceed maximum Ordinance standards, several conditions exist which would appear to warrant the increase in sign height. First, the proposed capping element reflects a design feature common in the proposed Mall expansion and is responsive to the increased size of the regional shopping center. Secondly, the 54' -6" sign height is somewhat deceiving in that the actual elevation of the Mall itself lies 18 feet above that of the pylon sign location. As such, the increase in sign height would allow the pylon sign to lie roughly in the same horizontal plane as the wall mounted and canopy signs which are attached to the site's principal structure. In regard to sign area, the Ordinance states that a pylon sign may not exceed 150 feet in area. Currently the free standing sign exhibits an area of 168 square feet. This sign area was approved as part of the original PUD. The applicant has proposed to retain the original sign area upon the renovated sign. The proposed pylon sign renovation, aside from the gabled capping element, is to include new lettering, a masonry base structure and new evergreen plantings that should visually enhance the appearance of the sign. Canopy and Awning Signs: The applicant has proposed a number of canopy and awning signs which are discussed in detail in the following sections. A comment, however, is required prior to this discussion regarding the proposed awning signs and their interpretation with the Ordinance. The proposed awning signs are to be made of a translucent plastic material, interiorly illuminated and be a permanent fixture of the facade. The awnings are not retractable or meant to be temporary shading devices. This type of sign has become increasingly popular for commercial uses over the past couple of years. Its appearance is similar to that of a wall sign which happens to project out over a sidewalk or walkway. 3 From Section 401.02, Definitions of the Ordinance, the following definitions apply to this matter: Awning. A temporary hood or cover which projects from the wall of a building and of a type which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of a supporting building. Canopy Sign. Any message or identification which is affixed to a projection or extension of a building or structure, erected in such a manner as to provide a shelter or cover over the approach to any entrance of a store, building or place of assembly. Sign. The use of any word, numerals, figures, devices or trademarks by which anything is made known such as are used to show an individual, firm, profession or business and are visible to the general public. As derived from the above definitions, it is Northwest's opinion that the proposed "awning signs" illustrated in Exhibits D, E, and F are actually canopy signs. This is due tothe permanent nature of the proposed awnings. The awnings are not retractable and they represent a permanent extension affixed to the facade like a canopy. As such, these signs should be subject to the provisions of canopy signs as specified in the Ordinance. Furthermore, due to the nature of the sign's illumination, it is also of Northwest's opinion that the entire area within the canopies' dimensions be included in the calculation of the proposed sign area. We feel these are important interpretations the City should agree to as they will likely set a precedent for the consideration of future interiorly illuminated canopy signs. If only their letter size is to be regulated and not their overall dimensions, the proportions of the canopy sign in relation to the facade size could be greatly distorted in an effort to maximize the communicating ability of such an illuminated device. Therefore, Northwest feels interiorly illuminated canopy signs such as those proposed should be segregated and treated uniquely from conventional awning signs. Snyder Bros. Drug Sign. As shown in Exhibit D, a proposal has been made to remove the existing Snyder Bros. Drug sign and replace it with a new canopy sign. Under the previously described sign interpretation, the area of the proposed sign is 464 square feet (the area of the letters is approximately 130 square feet). This sign area exceeds the 150 square feet maximum by over 200 percent. The sign area also covers 37 percent of the 0 50A Snyder Bros. Drug facade whereas the Ordinance maximum is 15 Let percent. It s 5 4 While there may be room for some flexibility of the strict Ordinance standards within the provisions of the PUD (due to the uniqueness of the Mall, the large facade area and the sight distances between the Mall and Highway 36), it is recommended the proposed sign be reduced in size to more closely resemble the intent and provisions of the Ordinance. In this vein, we recommend the following: o The illuminated portion of the sign be restricted to 20 percent of the facade area (252 square feet). o The lettering of the sign be restricted to 150 square feet in area. If the Council feels the proposed signage is acceptable as submitted, the PUD provisions do allow the Council to approve the sign without setting a questionable precedent. The only precedent that could be set is not to recognize the entire illuminated canopy area as contributing to the sign area. Hardware Hank Sign. Like Snyder Bros., the Hardware Hank store wishes to remove its existing wall mounted sign and replace it with an canopy sign (see Exhibit E). While the sign will be a visual improvement to the existing sign, concern again exists in regard to its area. At approximately 635 square feet in size, the sign significantly exceeds the maximum 150 square foot standard set forth within the Ordinance. This sign covers 34 percent of the Hardware Hank facade area. As with the Snyder Bros. sign, we recommend the sign be reduced in size in accordance with the following provisions: o The illuminated portion of the sign be restricted to 20 percent of the facade area (378 square feet). o The lettering of the sign be restricted to 150 square feet in area. If the Council again feels the proposed signage is acceptable, the sign can be approved as is, however, this is not a procedure our office recommends. Osgood Avenue Canopy Signs. As shown on Exhibit F, a number of unspecified canopy signs are to be located along the new retail space which faces Osgood Avenue. The proposed canopies are to be similar in likeness to the Snyder Bros. and Hardware Hank canopy signs. Because these retail shops only occupy a portion of the Mall's lower level, the applicable facade area used to determine the allowable signage should only include that portion of the facade containing the retail shops. From the east elevation, each retail space is afforded 600 square feet of facade area. 5 This corresponds to a maximum allowed sign area of 90 square feet. The proposed canopy signs measure 168 square feet in area. Given the retail shops close proximity to Osgood Avenue, there does not appear to exist the justification to deviate from the Ordinance standards as exists for the Snyder Bros. and Hardware Hank signs. As such, it is recommended each individual canopy as proposed be downsized to a maximum area of 90 square feet or 15 percent of the facade for a single retail unit, whichever is applicable. Mall Entrance Sign. As shown on Exhibit C, a "St. Croix Mall" canopy sign has been proposed at the structure's principal entry. The sign has been found to measure 128 square feet in area and conforms to the maximum allowable standard of 150 square feet set forth within the Ordinance. Like the previously discussed pylon sign, the canopy shall be characterized by a pyramidal roofing element and flag pole and should visually complement the Mall structure. Wall Mounted Signs: A number of wall mounted signs have also been proposed, all of which are discussed in detail below. Herbergers Sign. As shown on Exhibit G, a "Herbergers" wall mounted sign measuring 266 square feet in size has been proposed on the Mall's northern and southern facades. According to Section 401.03.I.4.d.(1) of the Ordinance, such signs should not exceed 150 square feet. While an obvious non conformity does exist in regard to sign size, the City may view the proposed signage acceptable via the PUD for the following reasons. First, the proposed sign would appear acceptable in size in that it appears to visually complement the scale of the Mall and building facade on which it is located. In addition, it must be realized that the size requirement was formulated and focused upon smaller, independent types business within the City and not regional shopping facilities. Mall Theater Signs. As shown on Exhibit H, the applicant proposes to remove the existing Mall theaters sign from the north entrance and replace it with two new wall mounted signs proximate to the Mall's north and south entries. While the signs do, at 28 square feet in area, lie well within maximum size requirements, the signs are prohibited by the City Ordinance. According to Section 401.03.I.5.c.(3): Individual tenants of multiple occupancy structures shall not display separate identification signs unless the tenant's business has an exclusive exterior entrance. Said signs should be located only on 6 exterior walls which are directly related to the use being identified. While the signs are not allowed per Ordinance requirements, special conditions do exist which would appear to warrant the signs. The wall mounted theater signs are necessary in that they focus patrons upon specified entrances. This becomes important at those times when the balance of the Mall is closed. It is recommended, however, that the "theater" signs be placed only adjacent to those entrances which will be open while the remaining stores within the Mall are closed (i.e., Sunday evenings). If either the north or the south entrance is to be closed during times when the theater is open, wall signs should not be allowed at those entrances. The proposed theater signs are to be back lighted in red neon and should visually complement the Mall's facade. LeSalon Sign. The applicant has proposed to retain an existing "LeSalon" wall mounted sign until 1996, at the end of the business lease term. At such time, the sign would them be removed. While the sign does lie well within Ordinance size requirements, it defies a requirement which prohibits wall signs to those business which do not have exclusive exterior entrances (Section 401.03.I.5.c.(3)). As such, the sign should be removed to comply with the Ordinance requirement. If the applicant wishes to retain the sign beyond the completion of the Mall's facade renovation, the Council will have to grant this request as a special provision of the PUD. MGM Liquor Warehouse. The MGM Liquor Warehouse proposes to retain its existing wall mounted sign. While the sign does conform to maximum size requirements, it also conflicts with provision 401.03.I.5.c.(3) of the Ordinance which prohibits wall signs to those businesses which fail to have exclusive exterior entrances. Like the LeSalon sign, the MGM Liquor Warehouse sign should be removed to allow compliance with the Ordinance requirement. Traffic Signage: The applicant has submitted a separate sign plan for the site's required traffic signage (Exhibit I). This plan was reviewed by the City Engineer for its acceptability. The Engineer's report is attached as Exhibit J. In summary, the Engineer recommends additional stop signs be placed at each point of egress onto the Osgood Avenue entrance drive for the parking lot immediately north of Herberger's. These locations are illustrated on Exhibit I. In addition, "No Left Turn" signs must also be placed along the said Osgood Avenue driveway prohibiting westbound traffic from entering the parking lot via these curb cuts. 7 The stop sign in the center of the south entrance to Osgood Avenue must be removed. A "No Parking" sign should be installed between Osgood Avenue and the curved curb line to the east side of Herberger's, in the vicinity of the truck loading dock. To promote pedestrian safety, it is recommended the pedestrian crossings at the main mall entrances along the Mall, on both the north and south sides of the building, be marked with high visibility, white pavement markings. Twelve inch, white stop lines should be marked at all stop signs located on the main circulation route around the Mall. Detail 2 -A2.1 for the turn arrow and word message "ONLY" does not conform to the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requirements. The word "ONLY" and the symbol arrow should be at least 2.7 feet in height. The spacing between the word "ONLY" and the symbol arrow should be more than 10.7 feet and less than 26.7 feet. The traffic circulation comments the Engineer offers regarding the northerly Osgood Avenue entrance drive and the parking area south of K -Mart are extremely pertinent to the City's concern. In response to these potential deficiencies, the City is in official agreement with the developer that proper corrections will be taken at the developer's expense should the City deem the corrections necessary. The agreement reads as follows: The City shall review the functioning of the Mall's interior circulation after one (1) year of the Mall's operation after renovation. If the City reasonably determines a safety problem exists where corrective measures need be taken, based upon its review, observation, and comments or complaints received from other sources, the Mall owners agree to fully cooperate and implement resultant reasonable corrective measures and pay all reasonable costs incurred through such improvements. 8 cc: LaVonne Wilson Lyle Eckberg Mark Vierling Gary Rylander Joe Anderlik Frank Leier Brad Henning Paul Maddson CONCLUSION Many of the proposed signs require the specific attention of the City Council. Policy decisions which the Council must undertake lie in the interpretation of the awning /canopy signs and their allowed size. Because of this, the approval of the proposed signage plans contains many recommendations as stated in the Executive Summary of this report. If the Council is to approve the signage plan at this time, it is further recommended revised plans be submitted incorporating the required changes prior to the installation of the proposed signage. 9 ST. CROIX MALL Comprehensive Sign Plan Existing Signs: 1. Ronald Jewelers 2. LeSalon 3. Mall Theatres 4. St. Croix Cleaners 5. Snyder Bros. Drug 6. MGM Liquor Warehouse 7. Hardware Hank 8. Pylon Sign Sign Plan Effective September 1, 1990: 1. Ronald Jewelers removed 2. LeSalon removed at end of lease term (1996). The exterior entrance will be eliminated for this space in 1990. 3. Mall Theatres removed from north entrance and replaced by signs as described on Exhibits A and B. 4. St. Croix Cleaners no change. 5. Snyder Bros. Drug removed and replaced by sign described in Exhibit C. 6. MGM Liquor Warehouse no change to sign. Exterior entrance will be eliminated in 1990. 7. Hardware Hank removed and replaced by sign as described in Exhibit D. 8. Storefronts facing Osgood Avenue see Exhibit E. 9. Herbergers see Exhibit F. 10. Public mall entrances see Exhibit G and G 2. 11. Pylon sign see Exhibit H. Same location as current sign. NOTE: EXHIBIT DESIGNATIONS NOT APPLICABLE EXHIBIT A- SIGN PL;' "UMMARY EXHIBIT B PYLON SIGN "��a I nis,nu110ii VIOUEntilh err mutt iwe tiro ta ..11111111111111 HIM Foot k l_ _EXHIBIT C -I ENTRANCE CANOPY SIGN (PEP'CTIVE) ti 12 FRONT ELEVATION MAIN MALL CANOPY Rip F`� �#yy u; l s: 3, s iim�i i #4 I 3.i l' lo "IL !I1IU s?i1•f s an• i i1F i ill ill i p .4,, n slii2ii i s i= f�nm e_ i PO l ii Bali:. RI 1111 1 111110 1 oNii IGil iii l t ti liiii! l'L:1 u .rai 2 11 i 2 0 0 2 0.1 IU.uMINAM 441; kit ETTU'I 4 ION FEE u w N M u d PRECAST CONCRETE CRP COLOR 1 eiF 1 11611 .Q P1. )e. In \COLOR J BURNISHED BLOCK COLOR 1 n.)F1-1I6t9E7 B1-,WI COLOR 1 a1JR11161-t 13 •LOYA 4 C -N G. c r jLoc t. fAce bL•c fc EXHIBIT C -2 ENTRANCE CANOPY SIGN (DETAIL) EXHIBIT D SNYDER BROS. CAR^ SIGN /Emi lu r i "Eir ,muni IPA ,uuu i�mu�M 1 AWNI PI91b ?RtcwS J r N P tacI *D14 RANK fikviE oN l -KL-IT Ak4N1Nc9- 0 J mow vremm Sri /r i L I I I =1 RR MOVE EXLSTIti 1oP`i' -VT r p bn.To o MAALL NTiz�tN FAINT OEN eN DS" eiNtwritNy HARDWARE. bg T5 1 to EXHIBIT E HARDWARE HANK CANOPY SIGN 0.'zf ot. H n.-:• PAVA 0 4.141 910. .-L— d1�• ray,/ op v.c"• CJ ca 600 s.f. facade area per retail unit O Li Man en. .ite w1 'r NM c•s. 0 jlG<LuMPGLS a SLUE: 1/16':M {eoe �•(OND Uf EIVAT EXHIBIT F OSGOOD AVENUE CANOPY SIGNS I��. 1a(+au:IYaatuitl M�unn uunUNNauu uleuul�um EXHIBIT G -1 HERBERGERS WALL SIGN (NORTH E "°""T!ON) 1 \4 1.1 1r .eakialitkalii 4 's.11 e.1111 likalidg WI 1 V I I eo44 119.1111141111X11/1111 111 tIuuIJ .RW1111111/ 11111118101111W od,"111, Agl 50? 0 31 11111114111111111.1111 I llllll 1111 lllll a11111 .r 4 EXHIBIT G-2 HERBERGERS WALL SIGN (SOUTH ELEVATION) n 1 TillEATEP 11111111111111i:militammillaarion•!mar NNW q. 1.1.11111 44'1' V 5 tr6-f wstiEr) „64..um,9iPPLE 520401411' sreL5-2.sp Os% fowo EXHIBIT H-1 THEATER WALL SIGN (NORTH ELEVATION) 11 tdsto .41111I NU NM III 1111111111■■ a a.A■ immallam aaeawa■ Iinnumence asu11a •1a111aa ammamamma 1 ■I IIEATEP EXHIBIT H -2 THEATER WALL SIGN (SOUTH ELEVATION) V VT XHIBIT "I TRAFFIC 1 z -J Q i 0'9 AnN3AV 0009SO (7) 4 0„ (45 1 Bones t roo Rosene Anderlik Associates Engineers Architects January 17, 1990 Otto G. Bonestroo, P.E. Robert W Rosene, PE. Joseph C. Anderlik, PE. Richard E. Turner, P.E. James C. Olson, P.E. Glenn R. Cook, P.E. Thomas E. Noyes. PE. Robert G. SchunichL P.E. Marvin L. Sorvala, PE. Mr. Curtis Gutoske Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. 4601 Excelsior Boulevard, Suite 410 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416 Re: St. Croix Mall Parking Oak Park Heights File No. 5592 Dear Mr. Gutoske: CIRCULATION Keith A. Gordon, P Richard W. Foster. PE. Donald C. Burgardt, P.E. Jerry A. Bourdon. P.E. Mark A. Hanson, PE. Ted K. Field, P.E. Michael T. Rautmann, PE. Robert R. Pfefferle, PE. David O. Loskota, PE. Thomas W Peterson, PE. 2335 West Highway 36 St. Paul, Minnesota 55113 612 -636 -4600 Michael C. Lynch, P.E. James R. Maland, PE. Kenneth P Anderson, P.E. Mark R. Rolfs, P.E. Robert C. Russek, A.I.A. Thomas E. Angus. P.E. Howard A. Sanford, P.E. Daniel J. Edgerton, PE. Mark A. Seip. PE. Philip J. Caswell, P.E. Mark D. Wallis, P.E. Thomas R. Anderson. A.I.A. Gary F. Rylander. P.E. Miles B. Jensen. PE. L. Phillip Gravel Of PE. Charles A. Erickson Leo M. Pawelsky Harlan M. Olson Susan M. Eberlin, C.P.A. This letter is a review of the circulation and traffic signage plan for the St. Croix Mall expansion, per your request in a letter dated January 9. The Traffic Signage Plan, Sheet A2.1, was enclosed and is undated. Except as stated below, we found the proposed signing and marking plan acceptable. From a circulation standpoint, the major decisions were made in the initial review of the plans last summer. Significant improvements over the original proposal have been achieved. Because of this, we have only a few comments to make. At the north Osgood Avenue major entrance, we are still concerned about access to, and the design of, the existing driveway. This two -lane (one each direction) driveway, which has a relatively steep grade, is going to experience problems because it will serve as the main site access, but has not been designed to safely and efficiently accommodate the traffic. This matter was discussed at length earlier, but the developer apparently has not seen fit to make any change that would help the situation. Of most concern are the two connections between the 109 -space parking area (for Herberger's) and this main driveway. It would be best if there were no connection whatsoever. But there should, at most, be one connection (the easternmost connection, as drawn), and then only if the driveway was widened to permit traffic to get by an entering vehicle which is waiting to turn left into the Herberger's lot. One way to help the situation would be to prohibit left turns into the parking lot, effectively making them "exit only This could be accomplished with standard "No Left Turn" symbol signs. In any case, this major driveway must be protected by stop signs facing every access point in this vicinity. EXHIBIT J ENGINEER'S REPORT A second issue concerns the southernmost part of the property. Along the major east -west outer circulation road, directly to the south of K -Mart, there is a high potential for vehicle conflicts between circulating traffic and those entering or exiting from the row of parking stalls. While the demand for parking is usually less along the perimeter of the parking areas, this is a major circulation road and no parking stall should back into it. This design should be reviewed to see if it will be possible to place curb between the parking stalls and circulation road. SIGNING AND MARKING It should be clearly stated that "all signing and pavement markings shall conform to the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices This includes how the handicapped parking spaces are signed and marked. At the south entrance on Osgood Avenue, we recommend that a stop sign not be placed where shown. between the entering and exiting traffic. There is no raised median here (only a painted double yellow centerline) so a sign would be a hazard. The two lanes for exiting traffic should be marked as a left -turn and through lane, and a right -turn only lane. A "No Parking" sign should be installed between Osgood Avenue and the curved curbline to the east side of Herberger's, in the vicinity of the truck loading dock. To promote pedestrian safety, we recommend the pedestrian crossings at the main mall entrances along the mall, on both the north and south sides of the building, be marked with high visibility white pavement markings. Twelve -inch white stop lines should be marked at all stop signs located on the main circulation route around the mall. Detail 2 -A2.1 for the turn arrow and word message "ONLY" does not conform to the MUTCD requirements. The word "ONLY" and the symbol arrow should be at least 2.7 feet in height. The spacing between the word "ONLY" and the symbol arrow should be more than 10.7 feet and less than 26.7 feet. If you have any questions, please give me a call at 636 -4600. Sincerely, BONESTROO, ROSENE, ANDERLIK ASSOCIATES, INC. Gary F. Rylander, P.E. Chief Transportation Engineer