02-12-2001 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 22, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 10 Mayor Sonterre opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Elizabeth Shelquist of 8025 Fairchild Avenue indicated that just as the residents on Irondale Road she would like the character of her neighborhood maintained. She has lived in Mounds View since 1964 and read the ordinances before she bought her lot and built her house and has always followed the ordinances. Ms. Shelquist stated she feels she represents the 95% of people who don’t have home-based businesses who feel changes to the sign allowed will significantly change the look of the neighborhood. Ms. Shelquist stated in an R1 district a resident has the freedom to do what they want as long as it does not encroach on anyone else’s rights. Ms. Shelquist stated there is the potential to have a sign in every yard on the block. She believes there is a need to preserve the outside image of the neighborhood. Ms. Shelquist noted Council Members ran on an “open communication” with residents campaign and she questioned why the second reading of this Ordinance was not in the Focus News. She also asked Council to publish notices in Mounds View Matters. Ms. Shelquist stated she is not only opposed to changing the Ordinance to allow for signage within five feet of the right of way but is opposed to allowing outside signage at all. Council Member Marty thanked Ms. Shelquist for her heartfelt and well-spoken comments. Ms. Shelquist asked what Council Member Quick had meant when he asked if Council could strike the change concerning signs and approve the Ordinance. Council Member Quick explained if Council approved the Ordinance without the change to signage the original language of the Ordinance concerning signage would stand which allows for a one square foot sign affixed to either the house or garage. Ms. Shelquist stated she would like to grandfather in anyone who has a sign at this point but not allow signs in the future. She stated she and many people her age came to Mounds View when Control Data moved in and love being in this community and doing things for the community. She asked Council to consider people like her who want a residential neighborhood with no signs, no traffic and no problems. Council Member Quick inquired as to when the home occupation ordinance was adopted. Community Development Director Ericson indicated he was not sure but could look into it. Ms. Shelquist stated she believed the home occupation ordinance to be part of the original Mounds View set of ordinances adopted in 1958, 1959 or 1960 and if it was changed she was not aware of it. Community Development Director Ericson noted the proposed change to the Ordinance was reported in at least one newspaper.