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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 19, 2001 0 Page 5 1 Mr. Hansen indicated that there are other ways to communicate with the community, and that the 2 money used on the sign could be better spent. He expressed his opinion that signs are one of the 3 most archaic types of communication out there. He asked for the Commission to identify any 4 other cities that have signs like the one they are proposing be built. Commissioner Hanson 5 referred to a sign in Mounds View, Vice Chair Stille referred to the four-sided sign in Eden 6 Prairie. 7 Commissioner Thomas stated that his issues and concerns were very valid but, ultimately, the 8 decision on the ordinance would be determined by the City Council, and he suggested that Mr. 9 Hansen organize the proper people on the Council and state his argument. 10 Mr. Hansen concluded by saying that the Planning Commission finds out if the City sign is really 11 going to change, before they decide to change the ordinance. He added that, if it does pass, there 12 is no additional public hearing for residents to express their concerns, and he believes there are 13 several residents who have negative feelings toward the proposed City sign. He urged the 14 Planning Commission to reconsider the changing of the ordinance before they are certain 15 whether, or not, they will have the new City sign. 16 Chair Melsha closed the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. He addressed the Commission and stated 107 that there are details surrounding the sign of which he was uncertain, such as the number of times 18 that the message on the sign would change. Vice Chair Stille stated that they have discussed in 19 detail the amount of flashing, the number of times the sign would change per day (two), and that 20 the messages would be appropriate. 21 Chair Melsha asked if they needed to discuss the aesthetic issues such as brightness, or types of 22 electronic devices that could be used. Commissioner Hanson suggested that the sign be turned 23 off after hours. 24 Ms. Henry stated that she thought that the draft needed to be fine-tuned to define electronic sign, 25 and contain more specifics about the content of the information intended for display on the sign. 26 Commissioner Hanson stated that he did not approve recommending something of which he 27 would not being able to see the final draft and language. 28 Commissioner Steeves stated that the comments made this evening made him realize that the 29 ordinance needs to change first, and that the specifics be decided subsequently, rather than the 30 other way around. He stated that the ordinance needs to dictate, and the conditions would be set 31 by the City Council and the Planning Commission. He suggested that they remain broad with 32 their ordinance. 33 Vice Chair Stille agreed with Commissioner Steeves' comments to change the ordinance. Chair 34 Melsha indicated that the decision to change the ordinance was consistent with the City's 05 philosophy to fix the policy. Ms. Henry indicated that this evening is for the public input, not 36 the actual language of the ordinance. She added that this evening is not where they draft the