10-14-81 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MIf~lUTES City Counc9l October 14, 1981 The City Clerk stated that Mr. Becker also did not pay the necessary fee. The P7anner stated that Mr. Becker is appealing the decision of the Council. Mr. Becker feels that his sign was in place before the sign ordinance was adopted and that it is unfair to put the condition of the removal of his sign on the approval of the Peppino's expansion. The Planner also stated that it is not relavent that the sign was there before the ordinance. The sign is non-conforming. The approach has been that when there is a development request, it has been the Council's policy to bring non-conformities up to City standards. Mayor Hanson made a motion that the sign ordinance be repealed. Hanson felt that the Council should develop a new ordinance that the City can live with. Flanson stated that there are many other violations of the sign ordinance, and the City has only singled out a few of these. Mr. Forsberg seconded the resolution. Mrs. Nardini stated that the Counci7 has made other people conform. Mr. Hanson commented that the Council has not made everyone conform. Mrs. Scalze stated that if the Council repeals the ordinance and does not take act~on immediately on a new ordinance, the City will have billboards all over the City. The City Clerk stated that the easel-type signs Becker's and Cherette's have been using are permitted under a permit for seven days, At the end oF seven days a new permit would have to be issued. The Planner stated that signs are a sensitive issue. Businesses want big signs and a lot of signs. The Planner stai:ed that there are reasons for signs and for limiting their number. Mayor Hanson withdrew his motion and Mr. forsberg withdrew his second. The Planner stated that Becker's sign is located in the right-of-way and blocks visibility. Mr. Forsberg stated that he is not willing to step on a couple of small businesses and tell them they must come in for a sign permit at the cost of $100 to advertise their menu. The Planner stated that the City should enforce its standards. Hanson commented that the City needs a better way to enforce the standards, or the ordinance shou7d be repealed. If the City were to be fair, it shou1d go down each street and look at the signs. The City Clerk stated that it would cost $100 each week for the sign permits for Becker's and Cherette's. The Planner commented that if the City does not regulate non-conforming signs it has no right to regulate the new ones. Other cities have allowed the non-conforming signs for a certain time period and then they had to go. Page ~9-