7.b1 Variance CC Resolution No. 2020-01
CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA
CC RESOLUTION NO. 2020-10
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, one-sided business signs of up to 72 square feet each 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
CC Resolution No.: 2020-10
Page 2 of 3
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
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 CITY COUNCIL
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 one-sided
business signs of up to 72 square feet each 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 60 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 72 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 72 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.
CC Resolution No.: 2020-10
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8. The variance is not related to a need for direct sunlight for solar energy systems.
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 City Council on this 17th day of March, 2020.
_________________________________
Christine Maefsky, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator