Agenda Packets - 2006/08/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 24, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 11 Mayor Marty stated it is his policy to not respond to those who do not leave names or addresses. 1 Director Ericson stated that after the receipt of e-mail, he responded to the resident indicating a 2 name and address would be required. Director Ericson stated the resident did respond with a 3 name and address, which was not included in the Staff Report. He added that Staff struggles 4 with anonymous information. Mr. Sonterre responded that even though it is on file, it should not 5 be included in the Staff Report. 6 7 Rich Sonterre, 3525 Spring Street Minneapolis, of Clear Channel Outdoor, stated this is an 8 ongoing process by which two parties entered into an agreement and he hopes this hearing 9 tonight is close to an end. He thanked Chair Stevenson for commenting. He stated that Chair 10 Stevenson’s comments are significantly different than the reasons the Planning Commission 11 denied the IUP and variance. He stated he would like to work to find a remedy for the situation 12 and he has other challenges, including a lease agreement with the City for another location. 13 14 Mayor Marty closed the public hearing at 8:24 p.m. 15 16 Councilmember Flaherty commented that the City is engaged with an agreement and contract 17 with Clear Channel to relocate the billboards and the City has asked to renegotiate the contract. 18 He stated the City should feel an obligation about the contract. He stated the revised contract 19 states the City would re-design its codes to relocate the signs. He stated he agrees with the 20 relocation. 21 22 Councilmember Flaherty noted the second issue is with the height of the billboard. He said he is 23 okay with the IUP, but not okay with the variance. He stated he believes the Council has done 24 their due diligence with Clear Channel regarding plans for the relocation. 25 26 Mr. Sonterre responded that he would rather have a 20 foot billboard and they rarely build a 27 higher billboard. He stated the request for the variance is to achieve two objectives: to gain 28 height over Mr. Hall’s sign so the westbound face is clear, and at the request of Mr. Kopas that 29 the sign not to obstruct his building’s signs. 30 31 Mr. Sonterre explained that building the billboard at 45 feet costs more and depreciates the sign, 32 but noted that at 35 feet, he will not build the sign. He stated that if the variance were not 33 approved, financial compensation from the City would be the better option. He stated that the 34 request for the billboard to be built at 45 feet is not to be a dominant structure. 35 36 Councilmember Stigney asked the face size of the billboard. Mr. Sonterre responded it would be 37 14 feet high and 48 feet wide. Councilmember Stigney asked why the billboard would be larger 38 than what is in front of Walgreens. He stated the billboard at Walgreens is because of a perpetual 39 lease. He stated that Clear Channel agreed to put flowers and a base. He stated that is the only 40 reason the Planning Commission approved it. 41 42 Councilmember Stigney stated that detriment and hardship with Mr. Hall’s property is of his own 43 doing. Mr. Hall replied that the only problem is with Mr. Kopas’ sign. He stated his problem is 44 not that the billboard will block his property and he does not care the height at which the 45