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Planning Commission Meeting June 19, 2001 Page 4 1 frustrated with being a reactionary Commission, which is why they have decided to be _ 2 proactive after they denied the request from Walgreen's. 3 4 Mr. Hansen wanted to know why they were discussing_amending the sign ordinance. 5 Commissioner Tillman stated that the issue does.not meet the criteria for a variance, 6 because there is not any hardship. Chair Melsha stated that, if they feel it is necessary to 7 have the sign for a public purpose, than amending the sign ordinance makes sense, as 8 opposed to always dealing with variances. 9 10 Mr. Hansen stated that he had a problem with Chair Melsha's statement, and indicated 11 that a number of other residents would have come forward to dispute the idea of the 12 electronic sign, had they known the position of the Commission on the issue. He cited a 13 number of buildings and houses that have a sign in front of them, and suggested that they 14 hold a hearing to discuss this sign, and indicated that at least twenty-five residents would 15 be present to provide the reasons for which they feel the ordinance should not take place. 16 He read an article from the Minneapolis newspaper that was written by the Dennis 17 .Cavanaugh, the Mayor for the City of St. Anthony, which talked about the increasing 18 taxes in the City of St. Anthony. 19 20 Mr. Hansen asked why they are trying to amend the ordinance when the sign has not been 21 approved, rather than leaving the ordinance as it.is, with the need to request a variance. 22 23 Commissioner Hanson indicated that the Planning Commission wants to have something 24 in the books so that when a retailer, such as Walgreen's, wants to come into the City, sees 25 the City Code and does not waste anyone's time requesting a variance. Mr. Hansen 26 suggested that they amend the ordinance to state that signs, like Walgreen's, are not 27 allowed, except by variance. 28 29 Commissioner Tillman stated that discussion is taking place because of the community 30 interest in having such a sign. 31 32 Mr. Hansen asked the following questions regarding the sign: 33 1. How much will the sign cost? 34 2. Who will maintain the.sign? 35 3. What will the sign look like? 36 37 Mr. Hansen concluded by saying that, before they decide to change the ordinance, they 38 need to inform residents, and allow them to express their unhappiness over the potential 39 ordinance change. He read a statement from a sign ordinance for a nearby city, which 40 made reference to the safety issues with drivers trying to do too much. Mr. Hansen 41 elaborated on the statement by listing several of the buildings and structures that are 42 found around the intersection where they are proposing the sign be placed. 43