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Planning Commission Meeting <br /> June 19, 2001 <br /> Page 3 <br /> 1 Motion by Chair Melsha, second by Vice Chair Stille, to approve the lot combination <br /> 2 request. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Motion carried unanimously. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 8.2 City ordinance amendment to allow electronic signs, for public informational uses only, <br /> 7 in areas zoned recreational open space on city and/or school-owned property. <br /> 8 Sue Henry stated that one of the city's goals for 2001 was to establish an electronic reader <br /> 9 board in the community. She explained that, in order to accomplish this, an ordinance <br /> 10 change is necessary, as electronic signs/reader boards are not currently permitted in the <br /> 11 City. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 Vice Chair Stille stated that the recommendation to change this ordinance did not include <br /> 14 restrictions regarding flashing signs, scrolling, etc. and that the sub-committee suggested <br /> 15 that the sign only make changes a couple of times a day. Chair Melsha asked them to <br /> 16 elaborate. Commissioner Tillman added that they were suggesting that the sign could <br /> 17 _change twice in a twenty-four hour period. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 Ron Hansen, of 3220 Belden Drive, has lived in the City of St. Anthony for thirty-two <br /> 20 years, and requested that the ordinance change not be made, largely because he had a lot <br /> 21 of questions regarding the change. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 He indicated that his concerns were that, at a time of new development and getting away <br /> 24 from extravagant signage, he felt that it does not have a place in the City of St. Anthony. <br /> 25 He stated he believes that the City of St. Anthony has a very liberal sign ordinance. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Mr. Hansen asked if the city has decided that the city purchase the sign. He stated that, if <br /> 28 they have not decided to purchase a sign, then why were they discussing the amendment <br /> 29 of the sign ordinance. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Vice Chair Stille indicated that they have not formally decided to purchase a new <br /> 32 electronic sign, and that they are exploring amending the ordinance for the benefit of <br /> 33 better communication within the city. He stated that it is intended that the sign be used <br /> 34 for public information, and that it is a good alternative for the city in terms of aesthetics. <br /> 35 <br /> 36 Chair Melsha stated that there is a caution among the Commissioners about the <br /> 37 appearance and the features of the sign, which is why all of the discussed restrictions for <br /> 38 the sign exist. He referred to the sign at the Stonehouse, and indicated that it was a sign <br /> 39 that they would not like to emulate. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 Commissioner Hanson indicated that the sign was first mentioned when they were <br /> 42 discussing improving the appearance of City Hall. He added that Walgreen's had <br /> 43 requested a variance to the sign ordinance back when they were interested in opening a <br /> 44 store in the City of St. Anthony, which is what caused them to examine the ordinance. <br /> 45 He also stated that, after three years of serving on the Planning Commission, he was <br />