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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT <br />Staff has concern regarding the requested sign with regard to both its .size <br />and'its proposed location. The proposed sign has a message panel measuring <br />8'-8" wide and 4'-4" high elevated on a pedestal 3'-2" high giving an overall <br />height of V-6". The width represents between 1/3 and 1/4 of the lawn depth <br />between sidewalk and building. The height is considerably taller than a <br />mature adult may reach. <br />Madison School. lies within A -Residential zoning with C -Commercial zoning to <br />the East (out of sight from the Lafayette Blvd. approach) and B -Residential <br />zoning'to the South. A -Residential classification limits institutional signs <br />to 32 square feet in area or approximately 5 1/2 square feet .less than the <br />proposed sign. Furthermore'at such locations, height of a sign within 25 feet <br />of the edge of street paving must not exceed 3 feet except where a post <br />elevates to sign to a minimum of 10' clearance to the bottom of the sign.. <br />Beyond these restrictions, some design considerations apply. Several <br />.landscaping elements presently in place will crowd.and obscure the sign at its <br />proposed location. The knee wall along the entry approach, along with the <br />flagpole,.pine tree, and crab apple trees which are not indicated in the site <br />plan submitted presently,provide little open space for additional non -surface <br />features. <br />Staff will seek to work with the school administration to mediate these <br />problems. The sign as proposed clearly does not conform the 'general <br />requirements of the zoning chapter of the Municipal Code. We would recommend <br />lowering the base of the sign and decreasing the area of the sign in <br />conformance with the requirements for institutional signs appropriate to the <br />zoning. We would further recommend relocation of the sign to the less crowded <br />area of the lawn to the south of the crab-apple trees. This would alleviate <br />the obscuring of a lowered sign panel by the knee -wall from the north and <br />permit better visibility from the south approach as the parking lot provides <br />clear open space in this direction. <br />DBD <br />2/11/98 <br />