08-23-06 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 23, 2006 Farzan pointed out that the apartment buildings across the street from his business have temporary signs on display. Farzan asked if permits were issued for those signs. The City Administrator reported that there are different provisions for "for lease" and "for sale" signs and these signs do not require permits. The Administrator indicated that it has been noted that the apartments have too many banners on display at this time, and the Code Enforcement Officer is taking enforcement action. Montour pointed out that the purpose of the sign ordinance is to control sign clutter within the City. He noted that other businesses in Little Canada abide by the temporary sign ordinance, obtaining the proper permits, and displaying their temporary signs for the appropriate number of days. Farzan again reported that he sells the A-frame signs and reported that they are very effective in bringing in customers. He indicated thaC in St. Paul these A-frame signs did not require permits and could be displayed during the day and brought in each evening. Farzan reported that he is trying to establish a new business and did not have the funds to pay for sign permits. Farzan pointed ouC the vacancies in the Rice Street/Little Canada Road area and felt that Chese signs would help resolve thaC vacancy issue. Blesener again indicated that he was not in favor of changing the sign ordinance. He noted thaC the City had loosened the ordinance relative to banners, and the result was less than satisfactory. Montour noted that the City worked with local businesses in establishing the sign ordinance and he felt the ordinance was very flexible relative to the number of times and days that businesses could display temporary signs. Montour stated that he was not in favor of changing the ordinance. Keis agreed and indicated that he did not support an ordinance change. Farzan again stated that he is trying to starC a business. He felt that the use of these temporary A-frame signs would help a business grow which would then allow the business to upgrade their signage. Allan noted that Che sign ordinance allows businesses the use of temporary signage for a specific number of days and a specific number of permits. Farzan stated that he does not have the money to pay permit fees, and asked if the City would issue him a temporary sign permit waiving the permit fees.