HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-01 Minutes
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
JULY 1, 2008
7:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair-Marlaine Szurek.
Commission Members present- Thompson, Fiorendino, Schmitt, Peterson, and Szurek.
Also present were Jeff Sargent (City Planner), Gary Peterson (Council Liaison), and Shelley Hanson
(Secretary).
Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Peterson, to approve the minutes from the meeting of June 3, 2008. All
ayes. MOTION PASSED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CASE NUMBER: 2008-0701
APPLICANT: Varibest Printing
LOCATION: 4355 Central Avenue
REQUEST: Site Plan Approval for signage
INTRODUCTION
At this time, Varibest Printing is requesting a site plan approval for new signage at 4355 Central Avenue.
The tenant space had been vacant for some time and is now occupied by Varibest Printing. The proposed
new signage for the tenant space requires a site plan approval because the property is located within the
Design Overlay Central Business District.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan guides this area for Commercial related activities. The proposed sign plan meets
all the requirements of the Design Guidelines, and for this reason is consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The property is located in the GB, General Business District, as are the properties to the north and south.
The subject parcel is also located within the Design Overlay Central Business District, and is subject the
regulations for such properties.
The City Code at Section 9.106 (P)(12) states that total signage in the GB District shall not exceed two
square feet for each front foot of tenant space provided in the multi-tenant building. The tenant space
occupied by Varibest Printing is 24 feet in width. For this reason, the total amount of signage allowed for
the tenant is 48 square feet. The applicant’s sign plan indicates one wall sign totaling 32 square feet in
area, meeting the minimum sign code regulations.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
SIGNAGE. The Design Guidelines prohibit internally lit box signs. The proposed wall sign is aluminum
with non-illuminated lettering. Therefore, the sign plan meets the minimum requirements.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
PAGE 2
JULY 1, 2008
FINDINGS OF FACT
Site Plan Approval
Section 9.104 (M) requires that the Planning and Zoning Commission shall make each of the following
findings before approving a site plan:
1.The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this article
The proposed site plan meets all the Design Guidelines standards for wall signs in relation to the
color of the sign and the types of materials used to construct it.
2.The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions of the city’s comprehensive plan.
The proposed sign plan is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, as it is consistent with the
Design Overlay Central Business District.
3.The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan.
There is no applicable area plan for this area.
4.The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public
right-of-way.
The proposed signage meets all the minimum square footage requirements and all Design Guideline
requirements. For this reason, the property in the immediate vicinity should not be adversely
impacted.
The signage plan conforms to all standards outlined in the Design Guidelines. Therefore, staff recommends
approval of the site plan for the Varibest Printing located at 4355 Central Avenue.
Questions from members:
Szurek asked Sargent if this was a brand new sign that had been installed. Sargent stated that it was a new
sign, not a re-facing of an old sign. That is the reason it needed site plan approval and a permit.
Szurek informed the owner that he should have followed the procedure and obtained the permit prior to
installing the new sign.
Public Hearing Opened.
No one was present to speak on this issue.
Public Hearing Closed.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Fiorendino,
to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2008-PZ13, there
being ample copies available to the public.
All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Schmitt,
to adopt Resolution No. 2008-PZ13, being a resolution
approving a site plan for Varibest Printing located at 4355 Central Avenue. All Ayes. MOTION PASSED.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
PAGE 3
JUNE 3, 3008
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-PZ13
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION APPROVING A SITE PLAN FOR
SIGNAGE AT 4355 CENTRAL AVENUE WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
WHEREAS,
a proposal (Case #2008-0701) has been submitted by Varibest Printing to the Planning and Zoning
Commission requesting a site plan approval from the City of Columbia Heights at the following site:
ADDRESS: 4355 Central Avenue
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On file at City Hall.
THE APPLICANT SEEKS THE FOLLOWING PERMIT: Site Plan approval for signage
for Varibest Printing located at 4355 Central Avenue.
WHEREAS,
the Planning Commission has held a public hearing as required by the city Zoning Code on July 1,
2008;
WHEREAS,
the Planning and Zoning Commission has considered the advice and recommendations of the City staff
regarding the effect of the proposed site plan upon the health, safety, and welfare of the community and its
Comprehensive Plan, as well as any concerns related to compatibility of uses, traffic, property values, light, air,
danger of fire, and risk to public safety in the surrounding areas; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Columbia
Heights after reviewing the proposal, that the Planning and Zoning Commission accepts and adopts the following
findings:
1. The site plan conforms to all applicable requirements of this article, except signage.
2. The site plan is consistent with the applicable provisions of the city’s comprehensive plan.
3. The site plan is consistent with any applicable area plan.
4. The site plan minimizes any adverse impacts on property in the immediate vicinity and the public right-of-
way.
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED
, that the attached conditions, maps, and other information shall
become part of this permit and approval; and in granting this permit the city and the applicant agree that this permit
shall become null and void if the project has not been completed within one (1) calendar year after the approval date,
subject to petition for renewal of the permit.
st
Passed this 1day of July 2008,
Offered by:
Seconded by:
Roll Call:
Ayes:
Nays:
CHAIR Marlaine Szurek
Attest:
SECRETARY, Shelley Hanson
Approval is contingent upon execution and return of this document to the City Planning Office.
I have read and agree to the conditions of this resolution as outlined above.
_____________ __
Carolyn Racette Date
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
PAGE 4
JULY 1, 2008
OTHER BUSINESS
ndth
Sargent reminded members that the 2 reading of the RIBS Ordinance will take place at the July 28 City Council
th
meeting and that it would be effective August 28, 2008. He stated that a meeting will be held July 9 to inform area
Realtors, Mortgage Companies, and Banks of the program being implemented. Sargent passed out a flow chart
showing the sequence of requirements that would need to be satisfied prior to selling a home in Columbia Heights.
He told members that any additional questions should be directed to Scott Clark, Community Development Director.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Hanson
Secretary