REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
APPLICATION NUMBER
PLN17-0001
PROJECT NAME
POHLMAN SIGN PACKAGE
APPLICANT
Pohlman, LLC
2316 Schuetz Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63146
PROPERTY OWNER NAME
JDDC, Ltd.
8677 Tyler Boulevard, Mentor, Ohio 44060
APPLICANT’S REQUEST
Approval of a comprehensive sign package for Pohlman
SITE LOCATION
East side of Schuetz Road, between Adie Road and Westline
Industrial Drive
STREET ADDRESS
2316 Schuetz Road
PARCEL/LOCATOR NUMBER
14N120283
EXISTING ZONING DISTRICT
“M-1” Office, Service, and Light Manufacturing District
TOTAL SITE AREA
6.74 acres
PLANNING AREA
WESTPORT PLANNING AREA
REPORT DATE
February 23, 2017
CASE MANAGER
Michael Zeek, AICP
RECOMMENDATION
PLANNING COMMISSION CONSIDERATION
REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
ZONING REQUEST
The applicant is requesting that the Planning Commission review and approve a comprehensive sign
package for Pohlman, located at 2316 Schuetz Road (map included in the appendix of this report).
This site has two entrances, each of which serve a different purpose. The southern entrance is for
visitors and flatbed trailer receiving, and the northern entrance is for shipping and receiving.
The proposed sign package (see appendix) contains two ground mounted directional signs. The sign at
the southern entrance would be 12.5 square feet and the sign at the northern entrance would be 11
square feet. Both signs would be 5.5 feet tall. Pohlman also intends to install an identification sign on
the building which will meet the limitations of the Zoning Code so it is not included in this package.
The Zoning Code typically allows two ground mounted directional sign at each entrance, but limits the
signs to three feet in height and four square feet in area. The diminutive size and height is stipulated
because directional signs are often located within the sight distance triangle at driveways. In this
case, the applicant has requested fewer directional signs than permitted, but requested that the signs
be taller and larger to be properly visible from the large trucks that will travel to the site. They will be
located outside the sight distance triangles, as shown on the plans submitted by the applicant.
ANALYSIS
Section 25-15.5.B, Sign Package, of the Zoning Code contains the regulations and procedures related
to Planning Commission review of sign packages. The specific intent of the sign package review
procedure is to provide a process to evaluate the number, size, location, height, and design of signage
within a project on a comprehensive basis to ensure that it is installed as a consistent, integrated
component of the development. The proposed signage within the package may deviate from the
specific number, size, location, height, and design criteria of the sign regulations, provided that the
overall approach meets or exceeds the intent and overall design goals of the regulations. The following
is an analysis of the package’s consistency with Section 25-15.2, Intent, and Section 25-15.4, Overall
Design Goals:
SECTION 25-15.2 INTENT
CITY PLANNER’S COMMENTS
It is the intent of this Section to:
A. Provide for uniform regulation and orderly development of signs
consistent with established policies and ordinances of the city.
B. Provide a desirable and attractive living environment through
harmonious and uniform signage.
The proposed signs are uniform in color and
are compatible with both the building and
each other.
However, the proposed
directional signs do not meet the size and
height limitations of the Zoning Code for
directional signs.
C. Accommodate the identification and communication needs of
businesses and other organizations.
The applicant indicates that the business
has unique communication needs due to
large truck traffic entering the site. The
larger and taller signs are in response to
these needs.
D. Enable the public to easily locate goods, services, and facilities
in the City.
The signs are intended to allow visitors and
truck drivers to adequately locate the
proper entrance and parking/loading area.
POHLMAN
February 23, 2017
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REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
ANALYSIS (CONT.)
SECTION 25-15.2 INTENT (CONT.)
CITY PLANNER’S COMMENTS
E. Acknowledge diverse needs businesses and organizations have
for signage with rules adaptable to varying circumstances.
The applicant has applied for approval of
this sign package to address the unique
nature of this site from a parking and
loading standpoint.
F. Permit artistic freedom while controlling the adverse impacts of
excessively obtrusive signage.
The Planning Commission must determine
whether the signs achieve their objective
without being obtrusive. Staff is of the
opinion that the signs are simple and direct
in their design and location.
G. Neither directly nor indirectly regulate the message content of
signs but only the time, place, and manner of their display.
The message content of the signs is not at
issue, only the size, location, and design of
the proposed signs are being considered.
SECTION 25-15.4 OVERALL DESIGN GOALS
Signs shall meet the following design goals:
A. Signs shall legibly convey their messages without being
distracting or unsafe to motorists reading them.
The proposed signs are clearly legible
without being distracting to motorists.
B. Signs shall be designed not to compete with one another, but to
contribute to the convenience of the public and the
attractiveness of the streetscape.
The proposed signs provide direction,
contributing to the convenience of the
public. The Commission must weigh the
impact of the increased size and height
C. Signs shall be an integral architectural element of the buildings
and sites that they identify.
The proposed directional signs incorporate
the same color scheme as the building.
D. Signs shall be consistent with, and not detract from, the overall
character of the buildings and sites that they identify.
The proposed signs are simple and, in
staff’s opinion, would not detract from the
character of the building or site.
E. Signs shall be carefully crafted, durable, and consistent with the
quality and permanence of the buildings and sites that they
identify.
The proposed signs incorporate acceptable
materials.
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APPLICATION FOR SIGN PACKAGE - PLN17-0001
February 23, 2017
REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
SUMMARY

The Zoning Code permits two directional signs for each entrance, but each sign is typically limited
to four square feet in area and three feet in height.

The proposed directional signs exceed the size and height required by the Zoning Code. The sign at
the southern entrance would be 12.5 square feet and the sign at the northern entrance would be 11
square feet. Both signs would be 5.5 feet tall. The applicant indicates that the increased size and
height are necessary to ensure proper visibility from large trucks, which these signs are intended to
serve.

The proposed directional signs are compatible with the building’s color scheme.
REQUESTED ACTION
Action is required by the Planning Commission on the proposed sign package for Pohlman. The
Commission may:

Approve the proposed sign package;

Approve the proposed sign package with modifications; or

Deny the proposed sign package.
POHLMAN
February 23, 2017
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REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
APPENDIX
SUPPLEMENTAL MAPS AND EXHIBITS
POHLMAN
February 23, 2017
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REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
ADIE RD
DO
T
ET
RS
RD
FIGURE 1: AERIAL PHOTO
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APPLICATION FOR SIGN PACKAGE - PLN17-0001
February 23, 2017
REPORT TO PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
EXHIBIT A: PROPOSED SIGN (NORTH ENTRANCE)
POHLMAN
February 23, 2017
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CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS
EXHIBIT B: PROPOSED SIGN (SOUTH ENTRANCE)
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APPLICATION FOR SIGN PACKAGE - PLN17-0001
February 23, 2017