3 Sign West Village CenterCITYOF
690 Ci{y Center Drive, PO Box 147
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Phone 612.93Z I900
General Fax 612.937.5739
Engineering Fax 612.93Z9152
Public Safe~v Fax 612.934.2524
Web www. ci. chanhassen, mn. us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Planning Commission
FROM:
Bob Generous, Senior Planner
DATE:
September 13, 2000
SUB J:
Approval of Monument Sign and Public Realm Improvement
PROPOSAL SUMMARY
The applicant is proposing a monument sign at the comer of West 78th Street and
Powers Boulevard. The monument sign will be located in the southwest corner of
the property, 10 feet in from the west property line and approximately 16½ feet
from West 78th Street. In addition, the al~plicant is providing a small pedestrian
plaza and bench as a public realm improvement. The proposed sign complies
with City of Chanhassen ordinance. The sign is proposed fOr City CoUncil review
on September 25, 2000.
BACKGROUND
On March 27, 2000, the City Council approved Site Plan #97-6, plans prepared by
James R. Hill, Inc., dated 1/28/00, for two one-story retail buildings. Building A,
located on Lot 1, is a 23,607 square foot building to be occupied by Office Max.
Building 13, on Lot 2, is a 7,800 Square foot multi-tenant building. The final
condition of approval was that the applicant work with city staff to create the
entrance design for this location, which may include the granting of an easement
to locate a city monument on the site. The proposed design must be submitted to
City Council for approval.
On March 10, 1997, the City Council approved the preliminary and final plat for
West Village Heights 3rd Addition replatting the Second Addition. At the same
meeting, the Council also approved Site Plan #96-7 for-26,786 square feet of
commercial development for three buildings and Conditional Use Permit # 96-2
to permit more than one building on a lot for West Village Center Phase II..The
site plan was not built.
DISCUSSION
As part of the original submittal, the applicant showed a double faced monument
sign on the comer. This sign has been eliminated and replaced by a sign that
complies with city code. Staff continued to work with the applicant regarding the
signage, and public space improvements in the southwest corner of the site.
The Cio, of Chanhasse,.A ~rvwing carnmunity with clean lakes, auality schools, a charmin¢ downtown .thrivinz businesses, and beautiful oarks. A er?at vlace to live. work. and alav.
West Village Center II Plaza
September 13, 2000
Page 2
However, we did not complete a final design-for this area prior tO~he City
Council meeting. Since the Site plan approval, staffhas worked with the applicant
to develop a public realm improvement for this area. '
The staff and the applicant agreed upon was the creation ofasmal~plaza area,
which would include a bench and some plantings. On the bench willbe asimple -
sign: Chanhassen, Minnesota. This plaza was to be immediately adjacent to the
sidewalk, but on the applieant'.sproperty and not within the right-of, way. This
plaza area is approximately 120'square feet and is bounded onthe e~t bya 1
foot long bench, by a planting bed on the north, and by lowlykng st~bs on the
west. Staff recommends that-the most northerly three pavers be relocated to the
southeast comer of the plaza, extending the plaza to the southwest, filllhis
vacated area with flowers, and creating additional separation from the sign.
Though not shown on the plans, a boulevard tree is located just t°the east of_this
site, providing a shaded resting area.
This area will function as a pocket park. They provide a respite from the street
and an opportunity to recall the_larger landscape and build on the built
environment of Chanhassen: As an informal gathering place, it will ~erve asa '
quiet area for meeting friend~, having lunch or simply'a resting between
destinations. (From Chanhassen Vision 2002) '
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the sign, plaza, and
bench with the relocation of the cement pavers and the inclusion of flowers .at the
north end of the plaza. - - .
ATTACHMENTS -
1. Letter from Tony Oxborough to'Bob Generous datedg/D/O0z- -
2. Reduced SignPlan _
4. Monument Sign Elevation · · ~
5. MonumentB~ldingEIevation . - . _~ - -
g:\plan\bg\west village center iiplaza.doc~ ' - ~
September 13, 2000
Mr. Bob Generous
City of Chanhassen
690 Coulter Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Re: West Village Center II
Monument Plan Review Application
Dear Bob:
Enclosed please find the most recent Monument design for the above-referenced
location. As you are aware, the T. F. James Company has received a site plan permit for the
OfficeMax and retail development located at the intersection of West 78th and' Powers Blvd (Site
Plan Permit #96-7). Pursuant to that agreement we are required to present a final Monument
design for the City Council to review.
You will notice the final design includes only a single, double faced Monument sign
perpendicular to County Road i 7. Originally we had anticipated an "L" shaped sign structure
with signage facing due West and South. However, once we began construction we discovered
numerous constraints on the exact placement of the sign: underground utility easements, setbacks
from property lines, sightline setbacks, sidewalk locations, etc. Another major concern relates to
the visibility and legibility on the sign itself; there are several large metal boxes containing
telephone, signal light equipment, and utility equipment located on the public right-of-ways of
both Powers Blvd. and West 78th Street obstructing views of any signs that might be placed
behind them. Therefore, we have elected to propose a single, double-faced sign for this
development. To the best of my knowledge, it meets the existing codes and ordinances.
We have also included a bench area with plantings and a concrete plaza. At one time
there was discussion regarding the granting of an Easement to the City for this area, but I don't
know where we are with that item. Please advise. It is the intention of the T.F. James Company
to work with the City of Chanhassen to create an entrance feature at this location and we are
prepared to do everything reasonably possible to find a mutually agreeable position.
Bob, thank you for your assistance and please call if you have any questions or
comments.
Sincerely,
.
T. F. James Company P.O. Box 560 Excelsior, Minnesota 55331 (952) 401-6600 Fax: (952) 401-7058
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
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