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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 17,2021 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Barnhart replied it is 45 including it.The sign the Commission is looking at tonight is proposed at 95.79 <br /> square feet. <br /> Erickson asked the height on the Marathon sign. <br /> Barnhart noted it is 20 feet high. It conforms because there is a section of the Code that applies only to <br /> gas stations which allows a 22 foot high sign. <br /> Gettman asked about the Holiday station on Shadywood; it looks like it is 106 square feet as opposed to <br /> the 95 square feet. He noted that is another 10 square feet over what the applicant is proposing and asked <br /> if that was approved for any particular reason? <br /> Barnhart did not pull the resolution for that or what the standards were at the time; he does not have the <br /> history for that one. He stated a lot of signage that was redone replaced existing signs so it may have been <br /> 20 years ago. <br /> Bollis asked the square footage of the existing Orono Shopping Center sign. <br /> Barnhart replied it is 141 square feet. <br /> Darrin Rosha noted the owners are present as well as the owner of Hamilton Sign.His law office is in the <br /> same building,there have been a lot of improvements to it,and they opened Orono Station West. As a <br /> tenant they are happy to see this continuing to move forward. It is very unique and a landmark in the City; <br /> Barnhart has talked about historic variances and the new owners have gone back-and-forth trying to <br /> figure out what is permissible because there were variances at different times. There are about 10 <br /> businesses in the strip mall and if it were parallel to the road there would be more opportunity for signage. <br /> In talking about the canopy, it is a challenge because in looking at which sides meet the road,one is at an <br /> angle and another is behind you going east,the last one coming to the west; it is a challenge to see those <br /> so having them on three sides is definitely beneficial.There is significant improvement in the safety for <br /> the staff at the gas station as he heard changing the old plastic price signs in winter with a ladder is <br /> challenging. In looking at the way the road curves,most gas stations have a"long run"and drivers have a <br /> longer way to see the property;this one comes up on one and if the sign copy is too small it becomes <br /> dangerous to drivers and pedestrians. Mr.Rosha stated there is lighting around the canopy on other <br /> stations within Orono—it is fairly modest—and 2 of the 4 stations have lighting on the canopy.This <br /> property owner would request the same opportunity so people are aware of their presence and maximize <br /> their capacity to exceed—he said an independently-owned station adds a lot to the community. <br /> Chair Kirchner opened the public hearing at 7:26 p.m. <br /> Chair Kirchner closed the public hearing at 7:26 p.m. <br /> Erickson asked to clarify which is the monument sign.Barnhart showed it on screen. Erickson said by the <br /> picture it looks to be structurally supported. He shared about his time on the Long Lake Planning <br /> Commission and there was lots of discussion about signs. They ended up noting a monument sign has <br /> some type of solid fill on the bottom(masonry, stone)and those supported by poles were defined as free <br /> standing signs,which they prohibited. <br /> Page 11 of 21 <br />