07-07-1999 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

111 Mounds View Planning Commission July 7, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 7 Commissioner Miller asked if it would be possible to indicate that cars were for sale inside of the building, to prevent the problem of the public driving by and seeing a sign from the roadway. Mr. Besonen stated yes. Council Member Stigney stated that this was a rental business, and that the applicant would be bringing a car to the lot for a specific customer. He stated that he did not want to see any signage advertising automobiles for sale at the location. Chair Peterson stated that he concurred with Ericson's remarks, in that any external permanent signage would be unacceptable. He noted that Commissioner Miller's suggestion of indoor signage would certainly be acceptable, but that the issues of signs in the windows or other forms of advertising would have to be addressed further. He requested clarification of the City Code, in regard to other businesses or the public parking their cars on a lot with "For Sale" signs in the windows. Ericson explained that if a person or property owner were to park a vehicle for sale on the pavement of their lot it would be allowed. He stated that in dealing with a Conditional Use Permit and the use itself, the Commission was provided the opportunity to place additional restrictions upon the signage. He stated that if the Commission felt strongly that no signage whatsoever should be allowed, a • requirement could be added to the resolution to reflect that. He explained that the Council could also consider the issue on its own. Commissioner Stevenson stated that, although the Commission could not rule on the matter of signage, he believed there should be a rule limiting this. He stated that if this was a Council action, the Commission should be certain that the Council address the issue. He stated that without limitations, the matter could get out of hand. Commissioner Johnson stated that the applicant was already limited to three cars for sale at one time. Ericson stated that the concern was more in regard to the sign itself, noting that although a window sign might be allowable, without limitations, it might translate into a four by eight sheet of plywood, which would be unacceptable. Commissioner Stevenson stated that he thought the issue should be addressed and clarified prior to agreeing to allow signage advertising the sale of even three cars. Commissioner Kaden asked what type of signage was utilized at the applicant's current business location. Mr. Besonen stated that there was none, and that one of the reasons they desired street visibility was to inform the public that they had vehicles for sale. Chair Peterson stated that often times the public associated a rental car facility with the purchase of vehicles, and that many people would simply inquire. Commissioner Kaden noted that automobiles had been sold from the former fire station located in Spring Lake Park, and that the largest signage he had seen there was paint or a sign in the window. He stated that he did not find that type of signage objectionable. Mr. Besonen stated that he had noticed the Enterprise car lot in Spring Lake Park, and believed that their signage indicated sales and rentals. Council Member Stigney stated that the sales were not on site at that location. Mr. Besonen stated that their car sales would not necessarily be on site either, as the majority of time, the cars would be rented. He suggested the possibility of signs in the cars on