Planning Report

Date:	June 19, 2001

Case:	VN 01-03

Subject:	Sign Variance

Applicant:	Salem Baptist Church

Request

To hold a public hearing and consider a request by Salem Baptist Church to construct a second ground sign at 2351 Rice Creek Road. The proposed sign will be placed at the church entrance on Rice Creek Road. Currently a ground sign is located on the church property at the corner of Rice Creek Rd. and Sliver Lake Road.

The property is zoned R-1, Single Family Residential. An institutional use in an R-1 zone is allowed only one ground sign.

Findings

•	Section 9-050. Sign Regulations in a Residential District

•	Section 8-210. Variance

Site Characteristics

1.	Location:	2351 Rice Creek Road

2.	Lot Size:	The site is 171,757 square feet in size

3.	Topography:	Flat

4.	Vegetation:	na

5.	Sensitive Areas:	none

Site History

1.	Past Uses:	Church

2.	Historical Significance:	na

Departmental Considerations

Community Development

1.	Proposed Use:	na

2.	Surrounding Land Uses:

North:	Single Family Residential and Commercial

South:	Golf Course

East:	Single Family Residential

West:	Church

3.	Required Setback:	Front:	30 feet

Rear:	5 feet

Side:	5 feet

Side Street:	30 feet

4.	Impact on Surrounding Land Uses:	none

5.	Comp. Plan Designation:	Public & Quasi-Public

6.	Zoning:	R-1, Single Family Residential

7.	Other Considerations:	none

Public Works

1.	Streets:	na

2.	Curb Cuts:	na

3.	Grading/Drainage:	na

4.	Rice Creek Watershed District:	No permit required

5.	Environmental Concerns:	None

6.	MPCA:	na

7.	Other Considerations:	None

Building Official

1.	Structure Size:	na

2.	Structure Height:	na

3.	UBC Compliance:	na

4.	Other Considerations:	None

Sanitation/housing

1.	Weeds:	None

2.	Garbage/Rubbish Enclosures:	NA

3.	Seating Requirements:	NA

4.	Kitchen Facilities:	NA

5.	Other Considerations:	None

Forestry

1.	Tree Identification:	NA

2.	Other Considerations:	None

Staff Comments

Sign History

On August 25, 2000 a sign permit application from Salem Baptist Church for the second ground sign was approved by former City Planner, Cary Teague. The church had the sign constructed and installed a pedestal and conduit for the sign. This prompted a complaint from a neighbor to the City that a sign was being constructed at the church entrance on Rice Creek Road.

After following up on the complaint, staff discovered that the church already had a ground sign located at the corner of Sliver Lake Road and Rice Creek Road. Staff informed the church that the second sign would be in violation of the City Sign Ordinance and that they should not to erect the second sign. As a compromise, the City offered to reimburse the church for the expense of constructing the sign. Salem Baptist Church representatives stated that they would discuss the offer and consider other options. Several months pasted when staff was again contacted by the church stating that they wish to pursue a variance that would allow the second ground sign.

The Zoning Code states that small four square foot entrance sign would be allowed and does not require a sign permit.

Variance

The applicant is requesting a sign variance to construct a second ground sign.

In considering an application for a variance, the City must make the following findings:

1.	An undue hardship would be brought upon the applicant, should the variance be approved.

The applicant feels that if the variance is denied a hardship would be placed upon guests trying to find the church entrance because the entrance is approximately 420 feet from Sliver Lake Road.

In addition, the applicant states that the entrance is partially obscured by trees and shrubs, thus the need for the sign to alert drivers to the entrance.

2.	There are unique circumstances related to this site.

The applicant feels that the placement of the entrance is a unique circumstance because of its distance from Sliver Lake Road and that it may be difficult to find because of the trees and shrubs.

3.	The request is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.

The request is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.

4.	The variance shall not be detrimental to adjacent property or to the public as a whole.

Staff feels that the additional ground sign would not be detrimental to the public as a whole.

Recommendation - Alternatives

Approval

Motion to recommend approval of VN 01-03.

Denial

Motion to recommend denial of VN 01-03.

Staff Recommendation

Staff's recommendation is for denial of the variance request for the second ground sign. Staff feels that there would not be a hardship placed upon the applicant if the second sign is not allowed. Staff feels that the current ground sign is sufficient for guests to find the church and its entrance.

Mark Andrle

Community Development Specialist