FOF signedCITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND DECISON
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Application of Vernelle Clayton for a sign variance to allow a wall sign along the east
facade of the building at 400-416 West 78" Street and a monument sign located within
the parking lot's 10 -foot setback.
On February 21, 2017 the Chanhassen Planning Commission met at its regularly
scheduled meeting to consider the application Vernelle Clayton for a sign variance for the
property located at 400-416 West 78h Street and now makes the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The property is currently zoned Central Business District (CBD).
2. The property is guided by the Land Use Plan for Commercial.
3. The legal description of the property is:
Lot 1, Block 1, Chadda 2"a Addition
Lot 3, Block 1, Chadda 2"a Addition
4. Sign Variance Findings:
a. The City Council, upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, may
grant a variance from the requirement of this ordinance where it is shown that by
reason of topography or other conditions, strict compliance with the requirements of
this ordinance 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 ordinance.
Finding: It is not uncommon for sign plans to limit the number of facades which
may display signage in order to prevent clutter or mitigate a development's visual
impact on adjacent land use; however, none of these factors apply to this case.
The sign code permits business to have one wall sign on each building facade
with street frontage. A business located at similar intersection with similar
surrounding land uses would be allowed signage on both elevations. Granting a
variance from the sign plan to allow for signage along the east elevation will
allow the development to erect signage which complies with the City's sign
ordinance.
Due to the configuration of the existing parking lot it is not practical for the owner
to erect a ground low profile sign without encroaching on the property's 10 -foot
setback. The existing pylon sign is an existing non -conforming use located in the
City's right of way. By replacing it with ground low profile sign outside of the
right of way and sight distance triangle the owner will significantly reduce the
non -conformity. Reducing non -conformities and improving visibility at the
intersection is in line with the intent of the City's sign ordinance..
5. The planning report, Planning Case #17-03 dated February 21, 2017, prepared by
MacKenzie Walters, is incorporated herein.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance request to allow a wall sign
along the east facade of the building at 400-416 W 781i Street and a monument sign
located within the parking lot's 10 -foot setback, and adopts the attached Finding of Fact
and Decision. The approved sign variance is subject to the following conditions:"
2017.
1. The applicant must apply for and receive the required sign permits from the
City.
2. The applicant must enter into an encroachment agreement with the City in
order to locate the ground low profile sign within the drainage and utility
easement.
3. The wall sign on the east facade must comply with all provisions of the
Colonial Square Shopping Center Exterior Building Sign Plan, excepting the
provision that limits signage to the south elevation.
4. The ground low profile sign must meet the sign code's design criteria, and
follow the standards for the Central Business District (CBD).
5. The ground low profile sign may not be located within the sight distance
triangle depicted in attachment 6.
6. If the ash tree is removed, a tree must be replaced with one shade tree. The
tree shall be a minimum size of 2" diameter.
ADOPTED by the Chanhassen Planning Commission this 21st day of February,
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
Y:
Chairman