Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />MARCH 27, 1996 <br />must work with. Morelan felt it made sense to have the <br />sign match the building. Morelan pointed out that the <br />Market Place Shopping Center will be a major draw to <br />get people into the area. The sign should match the <br />building, and if it is somewhat brighter than if it had <br />flood lights shining on it, Morelan had no problem with <br />that. <br />Grootwassink reported that back-lit signs give off less <br />light than flood lights shining on a sign. Flood <br />lights would not work on a sign this size. <br />Grootwassink felt flood lights only worked on monument- <br />type signs. <br />Scalze pointed out that there will not be monument-type <br />signs on Rice Street. Scalze stated that her problem <br />is not that much with the sign, but with the fact that <br />other property owners will want the same variance and <br />the Council should be prepared to provide fair and <br />consistent treatment. <br />Fahey suggested the solution is to send the <br />architectural guidelines back to the Planning <br />Commission for consideration of this issue. Fahey <br />pointed out that nothing is perfect and perhaps the <br />guidelines need to be modified so they make sense in a <br />business setting. <br />Scalze felt that in developing the architectural <br />guidelines, the City was looking to ensure the Rice <br />Street/Little Canada Road area developed in a certain <br />way. Now the first practical application of the <br />guidelines results in a variance. <br />Morelan felt the process must be fluid, and suggested <br />the guidelines not be sent back to the Planning <br />Commission until after review of the next couple of <br />proposals. <br />Scalze pointed out that the City has already granted a <br />variance for the height of the sign. Allowing back-lit <br />signs will allow the sign to be brighter than if it <br />were lit with flood lights. <br />Grootwassink stated that back-lit signs are less bright <br />than flood lit signs. <br />Fahey indicated that the City would treat all sign <br />requests in the same manner. There will be individual <br />consideration of each situation. Fahey pointed out <br />that the architectural guidelines were developed in a <br />8 <br />