09/08/2004 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Pl anni ng & Zo ni n g B o ar d Sep t em b e r 8, 20 04 Page 8 DRAFT MINUTES disappointingly sparse, but the people who di d attend took the opportuni ty to raise some important points. Staff presented its analysis and noted they ha d conducted an informal poll of some of the local businesses. He noted ove rall the reaction to the poll was one of interest in working with the City to get a procedure/policy in pl ace that would allow bus inesses to advertise their products and gain more visi bility while still enforcing some aesthetic control. Some even offered potential compromises such as requiring all temporary signage to be professionally lettered. The vast majority reinforced their belief that the temporary signage was necessary to gain the attention of consumers and build their customer base. He noted when asked if the businesses had re quirements from their distributors to put signage up, no one answered affirmatively. Those who did receive their signage from their distributors did so only at the businesses request or as promotional items to be used at the businesses discretion. On e of the businesses did state th at the signage they used to advertise tobacco products was posted by th e distributor on a regular basis, though whether the distributor “required” the signage could not be confirmed or denied. Based on this, staff cannot provide definitive inform ation to support or deny the contention that the cigarette and liquor manufacturers or distributors requi re the retailer to display the temporary signs. If business owners have evidence of such a requirement, they should provide it. Mr. Hyden stated he wanted to take two or three options at a time and discuss them. He stated he noticed the other Citi es did not address real estate signs and that appeared to be a concern with the real estate agents in the area. He stated he did not see this as a concern. Chair Rafferty also agreed that real estate signs were not of a concern and this did not need to be addressed further. Mr. Laden asked if the current Ordinance a ddressed signs in the right-of-way. Mr. Smyser replied the Ordinance did address this and signs were not permitted in the right- of-way. He noted, however, the problem was that there was insufficient staff time to monitor these types of signs. Mr. Tralle stated it has been his observation that since this sign i ssue had been discussed, the signage in the City has gotten worse. He stated temporary signs were an eyesore and he did not want them allowed in the City. Mr. Root stated there were other ways to ca tegorize signs as well. He noted there were individual and business signs be ing put up and they needed to address these differences. Mr. Laden asked if it was legal to remove signs out of a right-of-way. Mr. Smyser replied the City did remove the signs. Mr. Hyden asked if they were banning all te mporary signs or not. He noted if they banned all temporary signs, there woul d be no need for a further discussion.