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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/2012 P&Z Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES 1 . CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL : Chair Tralle called the Lino Lakes Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 6 :01 p.m . on December 12 , 201 2 . 2 . A PROVAL OF AGENDA T he A genda was a pproved as presented . 3 . A PPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 14 , 201 2 M r. Laden made a MOTION to approve the November 14 , 2012 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Hyden . Motion carried 5 - 0 . (Mr. Root abstained.) 4 . OPEN MIKE C hai r Tralle declared O pen M ike at 6:34 p.m . There w as no one present for Open Mike. Mr. Hyden made a MOTION to close Open Mike at 6 :35 p.m. M otion was supported by M r . Evenson . Motion carried 6 - 0 . D ATE : December 12 , 201 2 TIME STARTED : 6 :01 P.M . TIME ENDED : 8 :12 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Neil Evenson, Michael Hyden (Vice Chair), Perry Laden, Lou Masonick, Robert Nelson, Michael Root , Paul Tralle (Chair) MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : M ichael Grochala Planning & Zoning Board December 12 , 2012 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES 5 . ACTION ITEMS A. None 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Temporary Signage Mr. Grochala reviewed t he city’s existing sign regulations. He noted that areas of Planned Unit Developments have unique permanent sign requirements approved for each development. These areas include Lino Lakes Marketplace, JADT Addition , and S pirit Hills Center . Regulations for temporary signs are the same for all areas of the city. Mr. Grochala stated that the purpose of the discussion is to g ather input from area businesses and proceed with a consideration of amendments in the future. Chai r Tralle announced that everyone would have a chance to speak and that comments should be addressed to the Chair. The board would address concerns once all comments were received. Mr. Tralle noted that the board previously spent months to determine the c ity’s sign requirements , adding that they will attempt to make things work for everyone. Adam LaMere, Lakes Liquor, 7860 Lake Dr., stated that he would like a d esignated area for changeable signage. He suggested a 32 sq. ft. area on the building where he could change the sign as often as desired. H e would be h appy to apply for a permit and let the city know the location of the sign. He understands that well maintained signs should be a requirement. Due to the redundancy of liquor stores in the area, he would like patrons to visibly see the different specials at each location. He believes that option would be helpful to every business. He added that a t rophy case style would be expensive and that a window area could be an option depending on the buildi ng . Lisa L indsey , Lemonade Boutique, 7094 Lake Dr., stated that she is one of several businesses located in the Wellness Circle building near Chomonix G olf C ourse . She pointed out that real estate signs are closer to the road than business signs. She said that when she removed her temporary sign, as the city required, traffic to her business ceased. She h as been in business since July and was getting at least 10 people per day, while now she is lucky if she gets 10 per week. She would like allowance for a temporary sign closer to the street and allowed during her hours of business. She asked if she is allowed to have a ground sign. Staff explained that the current ordinance allows for a temporary sign during business hours within a certain distance of the building entrance. Staff added that each business is also allowed a portion of the existing monument sign for that property. Planning & Zoning Board December 12 , 2012 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Connie Ha ukom, American Legion, 7731 Lake Dr., said that she received a letter from the city that temporary signs needed to be removed, including the hanging signs on the front of the building. She stated concern that trees block the view of allowable signage on their property. S he requested allowance to put flags around the front of the building for events such as a memo rial . She would prefer that temporary signs be allowed for shorter periods of time , as events sometimes last only a week or less. Bob Mallory, 865 Birch St., Living Waters Lutheran Church, explained that he sent an email to the city earlier in the month outlining the problems that they are having with signage . He stated that their h ands are tied by the permit process. He explained that they w orked with the city planner in June and , as a result, they constructed a 2X4 plywood framework for their banners. He considers banners to be the best way to invite people to an event. He t hinks the current regulations for temporary signage is too restrictive. Additionally, he stated that the cost is too intense and suggested no longer requiring permits for non -pro fit organizations. Marcy Jamison, Pastor at G ethsemane U nited M et h odist C hurch, 7330 Lake Dr., agreed with Mr. Mallory’s concerns. She stated that they are a seasonal institution and would like to advertise for various seasonal events such as Advent and cookie sales. She noted that they are set back from the b oulevard and their signs are difficult to see. The current limits do not allow for them to ad vertise special services. She would prefer that the city allow for more fl exibility as to the length of time th at signs can be out , as current restraints are not applicable to their programs. Katy A llen, Allure Salon, 6505 Ware Rd., Spirit Hills Center, stated that she has no issues with pulling permits or the time allowances. She explained that due to th e reconstruction on Birch Street, she has no location to place a temporary sign. She re quested permission to place her temporary signage on the neighboring property, with the approval of the property owner. She also stated concern that she has seen other businesses put signs up where they are not allowed. Brian G ilbertson , 826 77 th S t . W., Magic Bounce, stated that his business participates in the city’s Blue Heron Days festival. He stated concern that the city does not allow for advertising of its own city festival. He requested the allowance to advertise on street corners prior to the festival. He pointed out that other cities are allowed to advertise for their festivals . He would like to see the continued success of Blue Heron Days. He requested t hat the city be equal in the enforcement of illegal signs. He stated that his signs were removed while other signs were not. Valerie Johnson , McDonald’s, 610 A pollo D r ., stated that the cost for a nice banner is hard to recoup when the sign is only allow ed for a short period of time. She requested a longer time period allowed for temporary signs, such as 3 0 days. Ms. Lindsey suggested allowing temporary signage for a week or weekend each month to promote small businesses with limited funds. She d oes no t want the community to be littered with sig n s, but would like to see small businesses grow. Planning & Zoning Board December 12 , 2012 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Ms. Allen suggested helping the small strip business owners by allowing the opportunity to construct a permanent interchangeable sign that each business could tak e turns to advertise a special near the monument sign where it would be highly visible. Mr. LaMere added that he is part of the community board for the YMCA and commented on the farmers markets that were held on Thursdays in the fall. He noted a need for signage to increase public awareness of the farmer’s market. He suggested allowing s andwich board s during hours of operation as well as signage near heavy traffic areas on the day of the event. Ms. Allen stated that due to struggling small businesses, it is sometimes worth paying a fine for a temporary sign without a permit if it helps draw business. Mr. Mallory suggested that the city allow for a temporary change in regulations in order to see the results before permanently changing the ordinance . Grant Rademacher, applicant for Bill’s Superette on the NE corner of Lake Dr./MainSt., stated concern that the trees that they are required to plant on their site may someday cause visibility problems when they reach maturity. He was especially concerned about the boulevard trees that may obstruct view of their monument sign. C hair Tralle clarified that the board is attempting to keep signage in the city well maintained and aesthetically pleasing, adding that b usiness owners will have to do their part. He noted that the board understands that not all business es follow the rules. He appreciates the input provided from all of the business owners . Mr. Grochala reiterated that current regulations prohibit all off -premise signs as well as any signage in th e right -of -way. He added that all businesses should be treated equally and that the city is attempting to implement better enforcement in this area. Following discussion, board member comments included the following : • Temporary signs are eye -catching a nd draw business. The city should consider providing more flexibility while attempting to avoid a nuisance. • The city could consider allowing off -premise signage within the regulations for temporary signage. • The city could consider the following require ments for a Temporary Sign permit : o a maximum of one temporary si gn allowed per parcel o th e property owner should be required to acquire the permit o the location of the proposed sign should be specified on the application o a maximum size should be set for a te mporary sign , such as 32 sq. feet per property Planning & Zoning Board December 12 , 2012 Page 5 APPROVED MINUTES o the property owner should acknowle dge on the application that the proposed sign is in good order • The city could consider allowing a p ercentage of allowable permanent signage to consist of a changeable message board. • The city could consider increasing the size allow ance for wall signage. • Allowing building signage on each street facing side would increase business visibility. • The city could allow for different types of enfor ce able temporary sign permits , suc h as : o 30 -day permit o 7 -day permit • The city could limit the number of permits allowed per year. • The city could consider reducing the permit cost. • T he city could consider allowing different provisions per zone, such as non - residential uses in a residential district, etc. • The city could allow for additional signage space for reader boards. • The city could consider allow ing on e temporary sign per property, including sandwich boards and banners, during business hours only with out a permit . Staff agreed to lo ok into the regulations for requiring fees from a non -profit businesses. Staff will work on drafting language based on the board’s comments and place the item on a future board agenda for discussion. 7 . ADJOURNMENT M r. Nelson made a MOTION to a djourn t he meeting at 8 :12 p .m. Motion was supported by M r. Hyden . Motion carried 6 - 0 . Respectfully submitted, Dawn Bugge Community Development Ass istant