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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/03/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - Board of Zoning Appeals - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2017 BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK The St. Louis Park Board of Zoning Appeals conducted a meeting on March 23, 2017, 6:00 p.m., at St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, Minnesota – Council Chambers. Members Present: Susan Bloyer, James Gainsley, Justin Kaufman, Henry Solmer Members Absent: Paul Roberts Staff Present: Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator Nancy Sells, Office Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL Vice Chair Kaufman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 22, 2016 Commissioner Bloyer made a motion to approve the minutes of December 22, 2016. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0. 3. CONSENT AGENDA: None 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Variance: Setback requirements for a sign Location: 2001 Flag Avenue South Applicant: Minneapolis Golf Club Case No.: 17-02-VAR Gary Morrison, Assistant Zoning Administrator, presented the staff report. The applicant is requesting a seven foot variance to the required ten foot setback for signs. He showed photos and drawings indicating the location of the sign, entryway and proposed sign. Mr. Morrison noted the applicant has requested a change to recommended conditions of approval. The applicant requests that the sign face can be no more than thirteen square feet in area rather than nine square feet in area. Official Minutes Board of Zoning Appeals March 23, 2017 Page 2 Mr. Morrison reviewed the variance criteria. He noted it is a subtle sign and for identification only. Mr. Morrison stated that staff finds the application meets the criterion considered for granting a variance. Commissioner Bloyer asked what the hardship is for the sign. She said it appears there is a legal alternative to the variance. Mr. Morrison responded that the hardship is related to lack of visibility due to shrubbery with the sign structure at three feet off the property line. The shrubs are required by city code to screen the parking lot. Vice Chair Kaufman asked the distance from the roadway to the sign. Mr. Morrison responded that distance was not identified but it looks like the typical 14 feet. He said a typical parking lot is located further away from the property line. Vice Chair Kaufman opened the public hearing. Joseph Zimmerley, Club Manager, Minneapolis Golf Club, said the club has good support from the neighborhood for the sign plan. He stated that the sign works for the city as well as for the club and it marks the historical building. He said that the property line is 20 feet from the current sign. Blois Olson, 1801 Flag Ave. S., said many of the neighbors enjoy the club as a neighborhood amenity and they believe the sign is well designed and doesn’t impact the neighborhood in a negative way. Letters in support of the variance request were received from Nicholas Davis, Flag & 18th, and from Chad and Holly Nichols, 1811 Independence Ave. S. As no one was present wishing to speak, Vice Chair Kaufman closed the public hearing. Commissioner Gainsley said he has no objection to the requested variance. He said the identification aspect of the sign is what is important. Commissioner Solmer said there will be minimal impact on the neighborhood. The sign provides the minimum required to identify the club as vehicles approach it. He added that it lines up with existing parking and won’t be noticed. Commissioner Bloyer said the sign looks good and she has no qualms about the club. She said she is thinking about the last two sign variances before BOZA which BOZA tried to craft so that it applied to those particular buildings. She Official Minutes Board of Zoning Appeals March 23, 2017 Page 3 said she feels granting this variance would open the door for everybody’s signs because a hedge is in the way. She said she is not in favor of the request. Vice Chair Kaufman noted the modification to the resolution regarding square footage area of the sign face. He said all he was bothered about was that the sign was all but created and now BOZA approval is needed. He remarked that the sign impact is minimal and he is in favor of the variance request. Commissioner Gainsley made a motion approving a seven foot variance to allow a three foot setback instead of the ten foot setback required for a sign, with modification to condition in the resolution that the sign face can be no more than thirteen square feet in area rather than nine square feet in area. The motion passed on a vote of 3-1 (Bloyer opposed). Mr. Morrison read the statement regarding appeal to the City Council. The 10- day appeal period ends on April 3, 2017. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary