PL MINUTES 11191991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Page 5 1 no problem believing there were people who drive by Apache 2 every day who don' t know there is a J.C. Penney store in the 3 center. The Commissioner pointed to the areas north of the 4 center which have experienced the greatest growth, towards 5 which the sign would be directed. Commissioner Faust said he 6 therefore didn' t see the semantics of hardship as a deterrent 7 to granting this variance. 8 9 Commissioner Werenicz read aloud some of the directions he had 10 received at training sessions for new Planning Commissioners . 11 One of these was that "economic considerations alone shall not 12 constitute undue hardship if reasonable use of the property 13 exists under terms of the ordinance. " Commissioner Faust 14 responded that the center is zoned commercial and, obviously, 15 with its vacancies,, is not being utilized to its maximum. He 16 suggested that would perhaps allow some leeway in interpreting 17 the definition. Commissioner Werenicz wondered if the fact 18 that the center is not fully utilized was the fault of the 19 ordinance rather than the marketing or failure to sit down and 20 determine what the best use of the property might be. He was 21 concerned that Carlson Hardware would be next in a succession 22 of other retailers in the center who would claim need for more 23 exposure through signage not to mention the proposed theater or 24 whatever else might go into the vacant grocery store space on 25 the same side of the center. He added that he foresaw that 26 future tenants who might want to consolidate space left vacant 7 by business failures would certainly also be looking for better 8 identification. 6*29 30 Commissioner Faust said he was very offended by th C.G. Rein 31 letter in the agenda packet which he perceived to be 32 meaningless ; without validity, and not able to withstand any 33 type of scrutiny because of the writer 's inability to predict 34 the future. 35 36 Commissioner Murphy wondered whether the Commission had 37 considered the possibility of the need for additional signage 38 for Apache Plaza should a renaissance of business occur in the 39 center. 40 41 Commissioner Gondorchin indicated he also found it hard to find 42 for granting a variance in terms of economic hardship. He said 43 it would be a lot easier if the Planning Commission were 44 looking at a comprehensive sign plan for Apache Plaza . 45 However, he agreed it was not uncommon for shopping centers to 46 have major anchors listed on the shopping center pylons . The 47 Commissioner said he would also find the application easier to 48 deal with if the request had not been to add 1990 ' s signage to 49 a 1960 ' s style pylon. He was also concerned that the 50 Commission might be setting a precedent for every sizable 51 retailer whose lease is expiring to be coming in with a similar 52 signage request as part of that negotiation. 0