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Mounds View City Council March 13, 2006 <br />Regular Meeting Page 13 <br /> <br />wanted to extend that footage. 1 <br /> 2 <br />Mayor Marty stated that he had to hand it to Clear Channel wanting to get rid of the interim 3 <br />provisions because they have come to the Council several times. He stated when the idea of 4 <br />putting in billboards first came to the Council, nobody wanted billboards, but nobody wanted to 5 <br />tax citizens either. He stated that Clear Channel came back to extend from 15 to 20 years, and 6 <br />the City was reluctant, but understood that Clear Channel spent a lot of money at the Supreme 7 <br />Court, etc. Mayor Marty stated that it should be left the way it is and he stated he does not want 8 <br />to saddle future Councils with a possible poor decision. 9 <br /> 10 <br />Councilmember Thomas stated it is worth pointing out that the Council is not negotiating a 11 <br />contract here, but this is a sign ordinance for permits. She stated should Clear Channel pursue 12 <br />contracts with other private parties, this is a separate issue. She indicated the Council is not 13 <br />going to offer a permit for a longer period of time without Clear Channel having to come back 14 <br />and request a longer period of time. She stated 30 years not to re-address the permit is immense. 15 <br />She stated she is not comfortable with a permit that never has to be addressed again. 16 <br /> 17 <br />Mayor Marty asked what the height is of the billboard on County Highway 10 by Walgreens. 18 <br />Director Ericson stated it is 35 feet. Mayor Marty indicated that is plenty high for a billboard in 19 <br />town. 20 <br /> 21 <br />Councilmember Stigney asked why sometimes there is an additional item sticking up on the 22 <br />billboards if there is a 35 foot requirement, and asked who monitors the height requirement. 23 <br />Director Ericson explained this is an extension on the top of billboard that is not to exceed 25 24 <br />percent by City Code, and that the City monitors this. 25 <br /> 26 <br />Tom McCarver, Clear Channel Outdoor, stated through the negotiation of the agreement to 27 <br />remove signs, Clear Channel was in a somewhat partnership with the City in trying to find areas 28 <br />to relocate these signs. He stated there are not a lot of locations available, and indicated he 29 <br />agreed with the Council on the Silver Lake issue, as it was not even looked at as a possibility. 30 <br />He stated it is not the intent of Clear Channel to put signs in areas where they are not necessary. 31 <br />Mr. McCarver stated the issue is to find suitable locations to get close as close as possible to 32 <br />what is on the other side. He noted when looking at the 45 feet height on the golf course, there 33 <br />were trees and other obstacles to get over, and there will be the same issue on a number of other 34 <br />sites. 35 <br /> 36 <br />Mr. McCarver stated as far as the interim use permit, some of the areas may potentially be 37 <br />exactly the same. He stated there is some disparity as far as the value is concerned and part of 38 <br />the value is being able to stay for a longer term. He stated if there is a height limit of 35 feet, it is 39 <br />possible that locations could not be found. He stated that 35 feet cannot work on any site on 40 <br />Interstate 35W. He noted in some locations, Clear Channel is allowed to maintain the trees in 41 <br />area, but there is nothing they can do about the trees on Interstate 35W, so that would not be a 42 <br />viable option. 43 <br /> 44 <br />Councilmember Thomas stated this is why the variance option was discussed for places where 45