05-12-05 Planning Comm. Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUT);S PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 12, 2005 maximum. The Planner indicated that the Mayor has indicated that he would support more flexibility with the duration of time that banners would be allowed to be displayed. The Mayor has also indicated his preference would be that banners would have to be attached to the building, eliminating the display of banners from pylon signs. Duray indicated that in balancing his role as both a Planning Commission member and a business owner, he will participate in the discussion of this matter, but will abstain from voting. The Commission discussed the wording proposed that states that banners cannot be used for general advertising of a business name or product. The Commission noted that many times banners are provided by a distributor at no cost to the business and may have a product name or logo on the banner. The Commission indicated that they did not have a problem with that and recommended that the ordinance clause be amended to read "They may not be used `solely' for general advertising of a business name or product." The Commission next discussed the size of banners, noting that the amendment proposed would limit the size to 32 square feet. Duray indicated that most often banners are 3 feet in heights and suggested that ] 0 foot, 12 foot, and 15 foot lengths are standard. In reviewing the survey information provided by staff, it appeared that the majority of the cities surveyed limited banner sizes to 32 square feet. The consensus of the Commission was that a 3 foot by 12 foot banner size appears to be a reasonable standard; therefore, the size limitation should be 36 square feet. The next issue reviewed was number of temporary sign permits as well as maximum number of days for temporary sign displays. Knudsen felt that the 60 day maximum seemed overly restrictive in ]fight of adding banners to the temporary sign classification. Knudsen felt that White Bear Lake's standard of a total of 4 temporary sign permits per year for a total of 120 days seemed reasonable. Duray indicated that banners do work well in attracting customers and promoting a business. Duray indicated, however, that as a Planning Commission member, he is interested in how the City looks. Therefore, the best solution would be regulation that works for both the business owner and the City. Knudsen asked Duray's opinion on the duration that a banner can be displayed. Duray felt that the longer the banner can be displayed the better, and noted that a 30 day period goes by very quickly. Duray felt that the 120 day standard was a good one, and suggested one good option _12_