09-26-07 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 ZONING Mayor Blesener opened the Public Hearing to consider an Amendment to ORDINANCE the Zoning Ordinance relative to the regulation of temporary signs, AMENDMENT - dynamic and electronic signs, and other permitted sign standards. It was SIGNS noted that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendment as proposed. The City Planner reported that the City has been reviewing its Sign Ordinance for the last several months primarily related to the regulation of dynamic and electronic signs. In addition to these changes, the Council is being asked to consider a more consistent standard for window signage across the pertinent zoning districts, limiting window signs to 20% of the window area. The Council is also asked to consider allowing monument signs in the Public Zoning District to be a maximum of 32 square feet in size. He noted that the changes as proposed are outlined in his September 7, 2007 report. The Planner also reported that the Planning Commission is asking that the City consider a change time for dynamic and electronic signage along the freeway of 8 seconds. The Council's consensus when last discussed was 10 minutes. Blesener pointed out that the Council's reasoning for the 10 minute change time was to start at a more restrictive standard. Once these signs are operating and the City has some experience with them, it will be better able to determine whether the change time allowed should be more frequent. Blesener noted the correspondence the City received from Mr. Simcha Plisner relative to property owners right to exercise free speech. Mr. Plisner is requesting that the City continue its moratorium on the Sign Ordinance amendments until this issue can be more fully studied. In response to Mr. Plisner's request, the City Planner noted that the Sign Ordinance is in compliance with statutory requirements with regard to political campaign signs. The proposed ordinance also allows property owners to have signage making political statements. Each property is allowed signs up to four square feet in size and up to a total of four signs. Therefore, the Planner felt that the issues raised by Mr. Plisner have already been addressed. The City Administrator noted that the City is not allowed to regulate the content of these signs. The Planner stated that that was correct. The City Attorney stated that he would like an opportunity to review the proposed Sign Ordinance Amendments to ensure that Mr. Plisner's points have been addressed, and requested that action on this matter be tabled until the October 24`" Council meeting. Ms. Allan introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: 20