1c Applebee's Sign VarianceCITYOF
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM: Kristin Wentzlaff, Planning Intern
DATE: September 8, 2003
SUB J:
Update on Applebee's Sign Variance #2003-11
Executive Summary: The applicant is proposing two signs on the north elevation
of the Applebee's Restaurant building. Code permits signage on street frontage
only. The north elevation faces the parking lot and has no street frontage.
The two proposed signs are meant to direct customers to the Carside To Go door,
where their take-out orders may be picked up. One sign is a canopy sign, which is
proposed to be located above the door that accesses the pick-up area. It is 4.75
square feet and reads, "Carside To Go". The other sign is a neon wall sign, with an
area of 6 square feet and also reads "Carside To Go".
Staff finds this request reasonable since there are two separate operations taking
place in the restaurant and the proposed signage would help to differentiate between
the access points for the services.
PC Update: On August 19, 2003, the Planning Commission held a public heating
to review the proposed sign variance. The Planning Commission and staff
recommend approval of variance#2003-11, with modified conditions. The summary
and verbatim minutes are attached. The motion and conditions of approval can be
found on page 5 of the staff report.
Recommendation: Staff and the Planning Commission are recommending
approval of the sign variance. The recommendation is found on page 5 of the
staff report.
Attachments:
1. Variance #2003-11 Staff Report
2. August 19, 2003 Planning Commission Summary and Verbatim Minutes
The City of Chanhassen · A growin6 community v,,.i~h clean lakes, quality schools, a charmino downtown, thm,'ing businesses, winding trails, and beautiJul parks A great place to live work and pla}/
PC DATE: 8/19/03
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CC DATE: 9/8/03
REVIEW DEADLINE:
CASE #: 2003-11
BY: KW
9/16/03
STAFF REPORT
PROPOSAL: Request for a variance to allow wall signage on non-street frontage.
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
590 West 79th Street, Lot 4, Block 1, Crossroads Plaza 3rd Addition
Griffin Sign & Awning Inc.
2151 351st Avenue NW
Cambridge, MN 55008
Applebee's Restaurant
590 West 79th Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
PRESENT ZONING:
BH, Highway and Business District
2020 LAND USE PLAN: Commercial
ACREAGE: 1.24
SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The applicant is proposing two signs on the north elevation of the
building adjacent to the parking lot. The two proposed signs direct customers to the take-out area of
the restaurant. Staff recommends approval of the request.
Notice of this public hearing has been mailed to all property owners within 500 feet.
LEVEL OF CITY DISCRETION IN DECISION-MAKING: The City's discretion in approving or
denying a variance is limited to whether or not the proposed project meets the standards in the Zoning
Ordinance for a variance. The City has a relatively high level of discretion with a variance because the
applicant is seeking a deviation from established standards. This is a quasi judicial decision.
Variance 2003-11
August 19, 2003
Page 2
PROPOSAL SUMMARY
The applicant is proposing two signs on the north elevation of the Applebee's Restaurant building. Code
permits signage on street frontage only. The north elevation faces the parking lot and has no street frontage.
Existing signage consists of one wall mounted sign located along the west elevation and one monument
sign along West 79th Street. The property in question is located to the north of West 79th Street and east of
Market Boulevard. The property has two access points, one from West 79th Street and one cross access
from Americana Community Bank. The site has an approximate area of 1.24 acres and is zoned Highway
and Business District, BH.
Highway 5 ~
There are two proposed signs. They are meant to direct customers to the Carside To Go door, where their
take-out orders may be picked up. One sign is a canopy sign, which is proposed to be located above the
door that accesses the pick-up area. There is an existing canopy over the door. It would be replaced with a
new canopy that has a 4.75 square foot sign that reads, "Carside To Go". The other sign is a neon wall sign,
with an area of 6 square feet and also reads "Carside To Go".
APPLICABLE REGUATIONS
Sec. 20-1303. Highway, general business districts and central business districts.
The following signs shall be allowed by permit in any "BH", "BG", or "CBD" District:
The following table lists the standards for freestanding and gq'ound low profile signs in the BH, BG, or
CBD zone.
Variance 2003-11
August 19, 2003
Page 3
Pylon Ground Low Profile
Principal Height (feet) Sign Size Height (feet) Sign Size
Structure (square feet) (square feet)
50,000 sq. ft. or greater 20 80 10 80
Less than 50,000 sq. ft. 16 64 8 64
1) Pylon business sign. Pylon signs are permitted on parcels that abut State Highway corridors only. One
(1) pylon identification sign shall be permitted. This sign may identify the name of the center or the major
tenants. The height and square footage of the sign shall be based on the square footage of the principal
structure as shown in the table. Such signs shall be located at least ten (10) feet from any property line.
(2) Ground low profile business signs. One (i) ground low profile business sign shall be permitted per
each outlot or separate building pad that has street frontage. The height and square footage of the sign shall
be based on the table above. Such signs shall be located at least three hundred (300) feet from any other
pylon or ground sign and at least ten (i0) feet from any property line.
(3) Wall business signs. Wall business signs shall be permitted on street frontage for each business
occupant within a building only. The total of all wall mounted sign display areas for each business shall not
exceed the square footage established in the following table:
Maximum Percentage Wall Area in Square Feet Maximum Square
of Wall Footage of Sign
15% 0--600 90
13% 601--1,200 156
11% 1,201 -1,800 198
9% 1,801 --2,400 218
7% 2,401 --3,200 224
5% 3,201-4,500 230
3% 4,500+ 240
(4) Menu board. One (1) menu board sign per restaurant use is permitted with a drive-through facility.
Such sign shall not exceed forty-five (45) square feet in size nor greater than eight (8) feet in height. Such
sign is permitted in addition to any other sign permitted in the zoning district.
(Ord. No. 314, § 2, 3-26-01)
BACKGROUND
On February 26, 1996, the Chanhassen City Council approved the site plan for a 5,500 square foot
(Applebee's Restaurant) building. A sign variance was applied for at that time. The variance requested two
wall signs, on the south and west elevation. The request was denied, as code permits wall signage on street
Variance 2003-11
August 19, 2003
Page 4
frontage only. The Council did not feel that there was a hardship. In their decision for approval of the site
plan, condition #11 stated that "Signage shall comply with City Code requirements."
Currently there is one monument sign on the property that is shared with Tires Plus. There is also a wall
sign on the west elevation that reads, "Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar". In addition, there are
window signs on the west elevation.
On July 18, 2003, an application was submitted for a variance to allow two wall signs to be placed on the
north elevation of the building. The north elevation faces the parking lot. The proposed signs advertise
Carside To Go, Applebee's new take-out promotion. The proposed signage would direct carryout customers
to the proper entrance.
On April 14, 2003, in a similar situation, the City Council approved a variance to allow Chipotle and
Buffalo Wild Wings to have signage on the north side of the building, which faces the parking lot. Signage
on the north side helps customers differentiate which entrance to use for each restaurant. In the case of
Applebee's, it will direct customers to the proper entrance.
ANALYSIS
Wall signage on a non-street frontage is not permitted by code. Staff finds this request reasonable based on
the fact that there are two separate operations taking place in the restaurant and the proposed signage would
help to differentiate between the access points for the services. The proposed signs would direct customers
to the proper entrance.
The proposed signs would cover 1% of the north elevation. Both of the proposed signs have the same sign
display, shown in attachments #4 and #5. The signs read, "Carside To Go" and have a small apple logo
above the wording. Both signs blend well with the building and the existing signage. The signs replicate
the colors used in the existing signage and canopies on the building. The wall mounted sign is lit with
neon, as are the existing wall signs and monument sign.
FINDINGS
The city council, upon the recommendation of the planning commission, may grant a variance from the
requirements of this article where it is shown that by reason of topography or other conditions, strict
compliance with the requirements of this article would cause a hardship; provided that a variance may
be granted only if the variance does not adversely affect the spirit or intent of this article.
Finding: Enforcing the ordinance creates hardship because Applebee's has two separate aspects to the
restaurant business; sit down and take-out. The City required parking to be to the rear of the building,
which forces Applebee's to put all signage on an opposite frontage from the cars and limits the ability to
direct the customers to separate entrances. The existing signage identifies the restaurant while the
Variance 2003-11
August 19, 2003
Page 5
proposed signage would differentiate which door to use depending on the type of service the customer
was looking for.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff and Planning Commission recommends that the Planning Commission City Council adopt the
following motion:
"The Planning Commission City Council recommends approval of approves variance #2003-11 to allow
a wall sign and a canopy sign be placed on the north elevation of Appleebee's Restaurant, with the
following conditions:
1. The signs must be constructed and installed per drawings submitted on 7/18/03.
2. A building permit must be obtained before installing the awning on the building.
3. At least 3 car stalls adjacent to the entryway shall be designated for carside to go
parking.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Application
2. Public hearing notice/label
3. Drawing of proposed canopy sign
4. Drawing of proposed wall sign
5. Drawing of elevations of building
6. Photograph of proposed signage
7. Seating and equipment plan showing main entry and carside to go entry
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE
CHANHASSEN, MN 55317
(612) 937-1900
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATION
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Temporary Sales Permit
Conditional Use Permit
Interim Use Permit
Vacation of ROW/Easements
~. Variance
Non-conforming Use Permit
Wetland Alteration Permit
Planned Unit Development*
Zoning Appeal
~ Rezoning
Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Sign Permits
Sign PLan Review
Notification Sign
Site Plan Review* X
Subdivision*
Escrow for Filing Fees/Attorney Cost**
($50 CUP/SPRNACNAR/W AP/Metes
and Bounds, $400 Minor SUB)
TOTALFEE$
A list of ali property owners within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property must be included with the
application.
Budding material samples must be submitted with site plan reviews.
~rwenty-six full size folded copies of the plans must be submitted, including an 81/2" X 11" reduced copy of
transparency for each plan sheet.
Escrow will be required for other applications through the development contract
NOTE- When multiple applications are processed, the appropriate fee shall be charged for each application.
PAGE 82
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2003 AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7700 MARKET BLVD.
PROPOSAL:
Sign Variance
APPLICANT: Applebee's International
LOCATION' 590 West 79th Street
NOTICE: You are invited to attend a public hearing about a proposal in your area. The applicant,
Applebee's International, is requesting variances for wall signage located at 590 West 79th Street.
What Happens at the Meeting: The purpose of this public hearing is to inform you about the applicant's
request and to obtain input from the neighborhood about this project. During the meeting, the Chair will lead
the public hearing through the following steps:
1. Staff will give an overview of the proposed project.
2. The applicant will present plans on the project.
3. Comments are received from the public.
4. Public hearing is closed and the Commission discusses the project.
Questions and Comments: If you want to see the plans before the meeting, please stop by City Hall during
office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you wish to talk to someone about this project,
please contact Kristin at 227-1132 or e-mail kwentzlaff@ci.chanhassen.mn.us. If you choose to submit written
comments, it is helpful to have one copy to the department in advance of the meeting. Staff will provide copies
to the Commission.
Notice of this public hearing has been published in the Chanhassen Villager on August 7, 2003.
Smooth Feed SheetsTM Use template for 5160®
BLOOMBERG COMPANIES INC
PO BOX 73O
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
~79TH STREET CENTER PARTNERSHIP
684 EXCELSIOR BLVD
EXCELSIOR MN 55331
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CHANHASSEN PROPERTIES LLC
570 PAULY DR PO BOX 514
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CHANHASSEN EDA
ATTN: BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
79TH STREET CENTER PARTNERSHIP
684 EXCELSIOR BLVD
EXCELSIOR MN 55331
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CHANHASSEN EDA
ATTN: BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
INFINITY OF CHANHASSEN LLC
1865 W WAYZATA BLVD
LONG LAKE MN 55356
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
BLOOMBERG COMPANIES INC
PO BOX 730
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
TOM-DON REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS
C/O DONALD M GUILLETT
13679 DUNBAR WAY
APPLE VALLEY MN 55124
VILLAGES ON THE PONDS ASSN INC
551 78TH ST W
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
BLOOMBERG COMPANIES INC
PO BOX 73O
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
~ROBERT DITTRICH
'!826 BROADWAY N PO BOX 755
NEW ULM MN 56073
WHEATSTONE RESTAURANT GROUP
250 EAST LAKE DR
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
MICHAEL E RAMSEY
6362 OXBOW BND
CHANHASSEN MN
55317
NORTHCOTT COMPANY
250 EAST LAKE DR
CHANHASSEN MN
55317
BLOOMBERG COMPANIES INC
PO BOX 730
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
APPLE AMERICAN LP (APPLEBEE'S)
C/O AVTAX INC
1025 WEST EVERETT RD
LAKE FOREST IL 60045
BLOOMBERG COMPANIES INC
PO BOX 730
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
C/O BRUCE DEJONG
7700 MARKET BLVD PO BOX 147
CHANHASSEN MN 55317
CHANHASSENINN
53179TH ST W
CHANHASSEN
MN 55317
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Planning Commission Summary - August 19, 2003
those intersections to allow for more development, to assist in the tax base. One of his major
concerns is the fact that there's been so many comments from Chaska residents that further
reinforces his concern that one of the major issues here is moving a lot of people from Chaska
through county roads and a number of the intersections involved aren't part of this AUAR
George Dorsey, 1551 Lyman Boulevard stated he was amused by the fact that he could drive
from Edina to Brownsville, Texas, 1,800 miles without one stop light and between Chanhassen
and Edina there's 8 or 9, and talk of adding more. Debbie Lloyd, 7302 Laredo Drive had
concerns about notification of residents in this area. Jeff Kerfeld, 2702 Shadow Wood Court,
Chaska stated he lives adjacent to proposed medium density area, he has asked to be put on the
mailing list and he did not receive notice of this public hearing. He expressed concern about the
look and feel of the medium density being proposed adjacent to his property. Chairman Sacchet
continued the public hearing until the September 2, 2003 Planning Commission meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING:
CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL REQUESTING
VARIANCES FOR WALL SIGNAGE LOCATED AT 590 WEST 79TM STREET.
Public Present:
Name Address
Mike Morris
Shawn Griffin, Griffin Sign & Awning
590 West 79th Street
21513 51st Avenue N.W., Cambridge
Bob Generous presented the staff report on this item. Commissioner Lillehaug asked about the
directional signs that are currently there. Commissioner Papke asked about the request for a neon
sign and restrictions related to the hours it could be lit. Commissioner Tjornhom asked if this
request was for this specific sign or if could it be changed in the future. Mike Morris, the
General Manager for the Chanhassen Applebee's outlined their request. Shawn Griffin with
Griffin Sign stated that Applebee's International has 2,000 locations which are incorporating the
"car side to go" program with the 3 parking signs, a video camera, a neon sign and an awning so
it's a roll out program nationally. Commissioner Slagle suggested Applebee's consider opening
up a fourth parking spot. Chairman Sacchet asked for clarification on the set-up in the restaurant
to handle the food pick-up and then opened the public hearing. There was no one wishing to
speak at the public hearing and the public hearing was closed. After commission comments the
following motion was made.
Feik moved, Slagle seconded that the Planning Commission recommend approval of
Variance ~f2003-11 to allow a wall sign and a canopy sign to be placed on the north elevation
of Applebee's Restaurant with the following conditions:
1. The signs must be constructed and installed per drawings submitted on 7/18/03.
2. A building permit must be obtained before installing the awning on the building.
o
At least 3 car stalls adjacent to the entryway shall be designated for car side to go
parking.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
Planning Commission Meeting- August 19, 2003
Sacchet: And I also may want to point out, we do have design standards for the city and when
we, like most likely in most of these developments I would expect in this study area, it's my
understanding that Town and Country...is under PUD which gives us additional flexibility to ask
for higher quality components in terms of what's being developed and gives us also flexibility to
preserve more of the green space. That's definitely what we're aiming for. Thank you for your
comments. Alright, who else? Lots of good comments. I want to thank you for all your
comments. Anybody else wants to come forward. If not tonight you have another chance in 2
weeks. I am not going to close this hearing tonight. We'll leave this open and it will be
continued in 2 weeks on September 2nd. And I would expect at that time you'll have a little more
details. Is it reasonable to expect we have some of the mitigation elements in front of us by then?
Mark Koegler: Correct.
Sacchet: So we basically would have a more finalized draft, a more complete draft in place by
then.
Mark Koegler: Correct.
Sacchet: Excellent. Kate.
Aanenson: Mr. Chair, if I could recommend maybe just a 5 minute bio break.
Sacchet: I think a 5 minute bio break would be well advised so we'll continue, I say 5 to 9:00
with the hope that I'm hammering at 9:00. Thank you very much everybody.
PUBLIC HEARING:
CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL REQUESTING
VARIANCES FOR WALL SIGNAGE LOCATED AT 590 WEST 79TM STREET.
Public Present:
Name Address
Mike Morris
Shawn Griffin, Griffin Sign & Awning
590 West 79th Street
21513 51st Avenue N.W., Cambridge
Bob Generous presented the staff report on this item.
Sacchet: Thanks Bob. Questions from staff. Steve, do you want to start?
Lillehaug: Sure, a couple quick ones. Could you put that picture back up there of the existing
Applebee's. And then just a comment. Question.
Sacchet: Is your microphone on?
Lillehaug: I don't know.
Slagle: Do you want the other picture?
31
Planning Commission Meeting- August 19, 2003
Lillehaug:
3 parking
additions?
Yeah, the other picture of the back. Are there currently 3 signs directing carry out to
stalls right in front of that door? I mean I drove by there and I think, are they new
Generous: Yes. They put those reserve spots if you will.
Lillehaug: Are they temporary or?
Generous: You'd have to ask them. It's more direction type sign.
Lillehaug: Another question. In the report you mentioned that one of the hardships was because
the parking was required by the city to be on the north side of Applebee's. If the parking was
allowed on the south side of the building, would have the City allowed that sign to be placed
there?
Generous: Yes. They're permitted signage on street frontages so yes. As long as total signage
did not exceed what's permitted they would give them a permit.
Lillehaug: So currently they could still put a sign on the south side right now per code if they
wanted to.
Generous: Well we gave them only one elevation. We call it the frontage and they picked the
west one. Because that street is sort of funny. It wraps around there. But it's not a big enough
curve to be designed as two streets by our ordinance.
Lillehaug: Okay, that's it thanks.
Sacchet: Thanks Steve. Bruce.
Feik: No questions, thank you.
Sacchet: Kurt.
Papke: Just a quick one. You said there will be a neon sign as well, did I hear you correctly?
Generous: Yes.
Papke: Are there any restrictions on the hours with which that can be lit or anything like that?
Since this is a lighted sign and.
Generous: Not specifically.
Papke: Any issues or concerns with that? Maybe another ancillary question. What are the sight
lines to this sign? Who's going to see the sign at the end of the day?
Generous: The Tires Plus and whatever the bowling alley site redevelops.
Papke: Okay, so there will be direct sight line from the bowling alley site? You'll be able to see
it from the parking lot or whatever.
Generous: Yes, portions of it, yes.
32
Planning Commission Meeting - August 19, 2003
Papke: Okay. I don't think the neon is a major concern. I was just wondering if there are any,
since it is lighted, are there any conditions on when it can be lit or anything like that because that
could be the only source of objection that I could see.
Sacchet: Bethany.
Tjornhom: If they get the sign and they put it up, it says To Go or whatever it does say, can they
take it down then in 6 months and replace it with a sign that says something else or is this just for
this specific sign?
Generous: It's specific based on these plans right now. They would have to amend the variance.
Tjornhom: So if they wanted to put up a different sign saying something else they'd have to
come back and get permission again?
Generous: They'd have to amend the variance, correct.
Sacchet: Thanks Bethany. Rich.
Slagle: Just a quick question. On the neighboring restaurants that you use Bob as sort of a
justification as granting a variance. How is there drive parking situation at the front of their
restaurant? And I apologize for not remembering but I mean do they have allocated spaces that,
and Buffalo Wild Wings/Chipotle, do they.
AI-Jaff: No, they share parking.
Slagle: But do they have things, do they have parking spaces designated for pick-up only?
A1-Jaff: No.
Slagle: Okay. And let me ask you this. Have you sensed any traffic problems with the parking
lot? Unfortunately I haven't been there yet but.
A1-Jaff: Fortunately, well when it first opened of course there was quite a bit of traffic to
Chipotle. Lately I think those numbers are becoming normal. Stabilizing.
Slagle: And has Buffalo opened yet?
Feik: Tuesday.
Slagle: Commissioner Lillehaug is grinning as you're talking about this Sharmeen so, okay I'll
take that as an answer as well. Okay, thanks.
Sacchet: Since we talked about the percentage of how much signage could be on the elevation,
do we know that they actually exhausted the allowable percentage on their west?
Generous: Not off the top of my head.
33
Planning Commission Meeting - August 19, 2003
Sacchet: Don't know for sure, okay. I was just curious. It's not really that essential but...
interesting context. And I'm out of questions for the applicant. So with that I'd like to invite the
applicant to come forward. Tell us what you have to tell us.
Mike Morris: I'm Mike Morris, the current GM at the Applebee's here on West 79tl~. I should
really clarify the whole process of the car site. What we're trying to implement is when a person
pulls up we do have the designated parking, which I had mentioned of the 3 signs that we're
currently at. What we're doing is we're getting people actually to deliver the food to the car side,
which...permit for the sign at that designated spot so people don't mistake those cars for just
general parking. Pretty straight forward program. We see it as building sales quite drastically
actually. It's already increased 8 percent over last year which is significant.
Shawn Griffin: And I'm Shawn Griffin with Griffin Sign. Applebee's International is doing this
on 2,000 locations so it's not just a certain amount of them, and they're all doing consistently
with the 3 parking signs, a video camera, a neon sign and an awning so it's a roll out program
nationally. And I've already completed all 14 of them so.
Sacchet: You'll be busy for a while. Questions from the applicant?
Slagle: Just a quick one. So concept is they call ahead and is there a timeframe that you give
them, is that sort of how it works?
Mike Morris: Yep. Yeah, we'll roughly say you know 10-15 minutes, so on and so forth. We do
have a camera installed so we actually say what kind of car do you drive. What color and size so
when a red Tahoe pulls up we can actually run out and we know exactly what we're car we're
servicing then.
Slagle: Last question. I think I saw 4 spaces adjacent to your building, is that correct?
Mike Morris: Apparently 3.
Slagle: Only 3 total?
Mike Morris: Yeah, right at that...
Slagle: I'm going left from the door.
Mike Morris: ...but we only have 3 spots that are actually designated.
Slagle: How many available right next to the building?
Feik: One handicap. 4 stalls, one handicap.
Mike Morris: Actually the handicap is just on the opposite side of the front door.
Slagle: So it's 4?
Mike Morris: Yep, and then just 3 of them are designated...
Slagle: My only question is this. Is having been a patron many times here, 5:00ish, 6:00ish, il
gets pretty crazy. I mean what happens when they fill up? Do you have people just backed up?
34
Planning Commission Meeting - August 19, 2003
Mike Morris: Currently we haven't run into that problem as of yet. Obviously it's a new
program. We're really taking recommendations from other stores that are coming into this
program. Unfortunately we're going to have some traffic that they will have to walk through the
door.
Slagle: Can I just ask you to consider opening that fourth as being necessary?
Mike Morris: It's definitely in the first two weeks are really kind of our honeymoon weeks. I've
got to see where we go on it.
Sacchet: Thanks Rich. Bethany, any questions? Any other questions from the applicant?
Lillehaug: Do you anticipate leaving those 3 signs in those stalls as well as having the awning
sign and the sign, the neon sign so you'll have in respect 5 signs there? Because those signs in
front of the parking stall, they do say, it's a larger sign. It says Car Side To Go. 10 minute
parking only and they are fairly large signs.
Mike Morris: Yeah, currently we're talking, we're considering leaving those there.
Shawn Griffin: The only problem is if you get a full size truck like I have a Suburban, you cover
that sign. You'll never see it so that's why we have...and the awning above the door.
Sacchet: So this is interesting. I was actually curious to understanding how this kind of works.
In the ideal case the customer would never come into the restaurant. They would just pull up and
based on the video camera you would see the car and know what to bring out and so they would
only be there very briefly and go on, in the ideal set-up they would not be really much of an issue
because they come and go.
Mike Morris: Correct.
Sacchet: Now if for some reason those stalls are occupied, they would park somewhere else and
walk up in there through that door or how does that work?
Mike Morris: Yeah, you can still enter through that door. That's not.
Sacchet: But the idea is that's an entrance and exit would just be for the pick-up type of traffic.
Mike Morris: ...
Sacchet: But the customer could potentially use that door if they want to come tell you they're
there and where is it and have you done it yet and is it still warm or whatever. Okay.
Mike Morris: Yeah.
Sacchet: When they come in there, they actually come in there where the ramp is to go to the
restrooms. And I see that it's close to the entrance to the kitchen so that's part of the thinking, the
practicality. So where would I go if I come in there, because I couldn't part right in front of it,
would I just flag the first waiter or?
Slagle: Or cook.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 19, 2003
Sacchet: Or walk into the kitchen.
Mike Morris: Well actually we have a station set up there where a person can...
Sacchet: So there's actually a station there, okay. Okay.
Mike Morris: ...so you'll never actually have to enter.
Sacchet: Alright, that's what ! wanted to hear, okay. Thank you for answering that. Alright,
anything else you want to add from your end?
Mike Morris: I don't think so.
Sacchet: Thank you very much.
Mike Morris: Thank you.
Sacchet: Now this is a public hearing so I'll open this for comments from the community. If
anybody wants to come forward and address this item, this is your chance. Anybody want to
comment to this signage variance? Seeing nobody, I close the hearing. And bring it back to the
commission for comments. Who wants to start? Should we start with Kurt?
Papke: No issues.
Sacchet: No issues? Okay, thanks Kurt. Bruce.
Feik: I don't have a problem with it.
Sacchet: Okay. Steve.
Lillehaug: Quite a few signs. Really it's going to stand out. You're going to know where to
park. There's no doubt about that.
Sacchet: Are you saying too many signs?
Lillehaug: They're right on the bubble. I'm going to stay away from the word drive thru so I
won't say that.
Sacchet: Yeah, it's not a drive thru. It's a park thru. Alright, thanks Steve. Bethany.
Tjomhom: I'm fine with it.
Sacchet: You're okay? Rich.
Slagle: Totally support it. Great business. The only thing I would add, and I would like to
suggest adding as a condition would be that we require those 3, if not parking stalls, to be used
for this additional service. I'm going to guess the applicant is going to do that anyway, but I
would just hate to drive up and see a line of 6 cars, one after another blocking the entrance as they
wait for their to go's. I mean you wouldn't want that either so.
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Planning Commission Meeting - August 19, 2003
Sacchet: You're saying they should be all 4 designated?
Slagle: I'd like to see 4 but I'll rely on their expertise. But I want to see at least the 3 that are
currently in place being used. And maybe it's a model to watch for our other two businesses
nearby if they run into their congestion problem.. They might want to consider secured parking
for pick-up.
Sacchet: Okay, thanks Rich. I don't have too much to add. I think those are concerns that are
going to be addressed by the applicant. If there's not enough parking it's going to be in your
interest to allocate more. So I would think that's in your hands. As a point of, so with that I
would like to get a motion. Who would want to make a motion please?
Feik: I'll make a motion.
Sacchet: Go ahead Bruce.
Feik: I move that the Planning Commission recommend approval of Variance #2003-11 to allow
a wall sign and a canopy sign to be placed on the north elevation of Applebee's Restaurant with
the following conditions, I through 2 with the additional third being at least 3 car stalls adjacent
to the entryway shall be designated for, what are we calling this? For car side to go parking.
Slagle: Second.
Sacchet: We have a motion. We have a second.
Feik moved, Slagle seconded that the Planning Commission recommend approval of
Variance #2003-11 to allow a wall sign and a canopy sign to be placed on the north elevation
of Applebee's Restaurant with the following conditions:
1. The signs must be constructed and installed per drawings submitted on 7/18/03.
2. A building permit must be obtained before installing the awning on the building.
o
At least 3 car stalls adjacent to the entryway shall be designated for car side to go
parking.
All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 6 to 0.
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