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76 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 19, 2000 Page 8 1 Melsha stated his concern with articulating a finding of hardship. He stated he finds it to be a 2 reasonable argument that this may be similar to a strip mall. 3 Mr.Kalscheur asked if it would make more sense to change the Sign Ordinance or request a variance. . 4 to the ordinance. He stated they feel the Sign Ordinance should be looked at in this regard but with 5 pending changes coming to the Sign Ordinance, it seemed a variance was the appropriate request. 6 Mr. Kalscheur agreed that the hardship criteria is the most difficult to prove with any request. He 7 commented on the importance of signage for retail businesses and the level of.sales that needs to 8 occur for a successful retail operation. He stated he hopes the Commission can use its discretion to 9 redefine this use as a strip mall or neighborhood shopping center. 10 Thomas stated he has no problem with a 50 square foot sign but is not convinced the City should go 11 with an electronic readerboard. He noted the need for a City policy addressing readerboards prior 12 to considering variances. He stated if the City were to revise the ordinance to allow readerboards, 13 he would argue that it must have a public service component (such as advising of municipal 14 meetings)and that the signage not be changed very often. He noted the location of other commercial 15 districts that had no electronic readerboards. 16 Chair Bergstrom stated it is appropriate to consider giving credit from the unused wall signage 017 toward monument.signage which.lobbies for being able to consider the square footage variance. 18 Also, this site will be difficult to redevelop for many reasons and, yet, the City wants to promote 19 redevelopment. On the electronic readerboard issue,he noted the City will be addressing that issue 20 and he thinks the ordinance may be revised to allow some type of electronic readerboard signage. 21 Because of that, he would prefer to not consider an electronic readerboard request prior to that 22 consideration. 23 Hanson stated he is also comfortable with considering a larger sized sign but not an electronic 24 readerboard. He noted the Northtown Walgreens has a monument sign, not a pylon sign, with no 25 readerboard feature. Hanson pointed out the anticipated Walgreens opening in February of 2001 26 which would allow time for the City's consideration of the Sign Ordinance. 27 Mr. Kalscheur stated that would be agreeable with him. 28 Stille asked if the Commission should take a more liberal look at considering this to be a shopping 29 center site and allowing credit from the unused wall signage. He stated his preference to get away 30 from a variance since a hardship cannot be found. 31 Chair Bergstrom noted that shopping centers over 75,000 are allowed to have pylon signs. He stated 32 he believes there are some hardships with this request that would be articulated. 33 Melsha stated he is not comfortable with categorizing this as a strip mall because it does not meet • 34 that definition. 35 Hanson suggested if the sign ordinance is not being considered for approval, it be passed onto the 36 Council who can consider this discussion in their decision. He stated he does not believe this