4b. PC Resolution 2020-03 Sandager VarianceCITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA
PC RESOLUTION NO. 2020-03
APPROVING A VARIANCE FOR PARCEL 19.032.19.33.0005
LOCATED AT 20168 ST. CROIX TRAIL NORTH
WHEREAS, Greg and Andrea Sandager have made an application for a Variance from
the sign size standards to install two business signs at their entrance along Highway 95, on
property identified as PID 19.032.19.33.0005; and
WHEREAS, the property is legally described as follows:
PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 19,
TOWNSHIP 32 NORTH, RANGE 19 WEST, BEGINNING 28 RODS WEST OF SOUTHEAST
CORNER; THENCE NORTH 20 RODS; THENCE EAST TO CENTER OF ROAD; THENCE
NORTHERLY IN CENTER OF ROAD TO NORTH LINE; THENCE WEST TO NORTHWEST
CORNER; THENCE SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST CORNER; THENCE EAST TO BEGINNING
EXCEPT TO RAIL ROAD EX TO EDITH ROCKWOOD AND EXCEPT FOLLOWING:
BEGINNING AT A POINT ON SOUTH LINE OF SAID TRACT 28 RODS WEST OF SOUTHEAST
CORNER THEREOF AND RUNNING THENCE NORTH ON LINE PARALLEL WITH EAST LINE
OF SAID TRACT 20 RODS TO A POINT; THENCE EAST ON LINE PARALLEL WITH SOUTH
LINE OF TRACT TO CENTER LINE OF HIGHWAY AS NOW TRAVELLED IN A NORTHERLY
AND SOUTHERLY DIRECTION ACROSS SAID TRACT; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG
CENTERLINE OF SAID HIGHWAY TO NORTH LINE OF SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF
SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 19; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG NORTHERLY LINE
OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 19 TO EASTERLY
LINE OF RIGHT OF WAY OF MPLS ST PAUL & SAULT STE MARIE RR CO; THENCE
SOUTHWESTERLY AND ALONG EASTERLY LINE OF SAID RIGHT OF WAY TO SOUTH LINE
OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 19; THENCE EAST
ALONG THE SOUTH LINE TO PLACE OF BEGINNING. ALSO THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER
OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 32, RANGE 19, SUBJECT TO
HIGHWAY EASEMENTS AND EXCEPT THE NORTH 180 FEET OF SAID QUARTER/QUARTER
LYING WEST OF CENTERLINE OF STATE HIGHWAY 95; AND EXCEPT PART OF THE
SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SOUTHWEST QUARTER DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
COMMENCING AT POINT OF JUNCTION OF WEST SECTION LINE AND COUNTY ROAD 52;
THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION 19 450 FEET; THENCE
EASTERLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO JUNCTION OF STATE HIGHWAY NO. 95 RIGHT OF WAY
(THE DISTANCE OF APPROX 560 FEET); THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE BOUNDARY OF
STATE HIGHWAY NO 95 RIGHT OF WAY TO JUNCTION OF COUNTY ROAD NO 52 RIGHT OF
WAY (A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 525 FEET); THENCE WESTERLY ALONG THE BOUNDARY
OF COUNTY ROAD NO 52 RIGHT OF WAY TO POINT OF BEGINNING; AND EXCEPT THOSE
PARTS OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER AND THE
SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER, BOTH IN SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP
32 NORTH, RANGE 19 WEST, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA, LYING EASTERLY OF
THE CENTER LINE OF ST CROIX TRAIL NORTH (STATE HIGHWAY NO. 95), LYING NORTH
OF A LINE DRAWN 1005.00 FEET NORTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF
THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 19, AND LYING WEST OF A LINE DRAWN
1180.00 FEET WEST OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHWEST
QUARTER; AND
PC Resolution No.: 2020-03
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the request for the Variance at a duly
noticed Public Hearing on March 10, 2020, and recommended that the City Council approve the
variance with conditions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SCANDIA, WASHINGTON COUNTY,
MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does recommend that the City Council approve a
Variance to permit two business signs of up to 200 square feet in size at the entrance to Deep
Roots Winery, at its business entrance on Parcel 19.032.19.33.0005, based on the following
findings:
1. The proposed signage is accessory to supporting a specialty agriculture business,
therefore, the proposed signage is in general harmony with the Comprehensive Plan and
Development Code for signs.
2. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner under the
conditions allowed by official controls, since signage is a permitted and therefore
reasonable use in the Agricultural Core District.
3. The practical difficulties are created by the location of the business entrance and
identification signs along Highway 95, a 55 mile per hour roadway. Signs along
roadways are recommended to be sized in accordance with the speed of passersby, to
make the signs readily legible without the driver having to take their eyes off the road for
an unsafe amount of time in order to be able to read the sign. The practical difficulties
are not caused by the current landowner and are unique to the property.
4. The variance would not alter the essential character of the area. The existing business
across the street has signage that is around 200 square feet in size, and the proposed signs
would be consistent with that. The existing sign has not created complaints or issues with
people in the area.
5. Economic conditions alone shall not constitute practical difficulties. The practical
difficulties are related to the location of the signs along a highway, where larger signage
is prudent for safe and easy viewing by drivers.
6. Granting the proposed variance for signs up to 200 square feet, attached to fencing, will
not impair the supply of light or air to adjacent properties, increase congestion, endanger
the public, or substantially diminish or impair property values in the neighborhood.
7. A two hundred square foot sign is appropriate to provide safe legibility for drivers
passing this location, and therefore is the minimum action required to eliminate the
practical difficulty.
8. The variance is not related to a need for direct sunlight for solar energy systems.
PC Resolution No.: 2020-03
Page 3 of 3
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the following conditions of approval shall be met:
1. The location of the signs shall be consistent with the plans submitted to the city on
February 18, 2020.
2. The applicants shall submit a sign permit application for the sign when final design and
sizing is determined.
3. The applicants shall pay all fees and escrows associated with this application.
Adopted by the Scandia Planning Commission this 10th day of March, 2020.
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Dan Squyres, Chair
ATTEST:
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Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator