PL PACKET 05192009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

C Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 21, 2009 Page 4 1 Mr. Brever stated they greatly respect Mr. Hanson's comments, which are testament that this is a 2 very sensitive issue. The proposed ordinance addresses this by requiring the conditional use 3 permit process that allows for specific concerns to be brought up to ensure that there is not a 4 problem with visual pollution. The purpose for the signage on the baseball field is to improve the 5 field. The ivy will grow and obscure the signs from outside the field unless someone is facing 6 home plate and trees will further obscure the signage. They are trying to limit the sign view just 7 to the home plate area. The school district, and sports programs in general, are being cut because 8 of budget realities across the state. This is an unprecedented item for school districts having to 9 face this. He stated the Brainerd school district asked the community to endow their athletic 10 program. The business community in Brainerd could afford that, but that is not likely to happen 11 here. So they need to turn to creative ways to support their athletic program. The conditional use 12 permit process will ensure that whatever manner they choose to go through with any signs is 13 respectful of the concerns of Mr. Hanson and others. 14 15 Mr. Urdahl, St. Anthony High School Athletics Director, stated the goals of SABA are in 16 alignment with the Park Board to have the best facility and the best park possible. That is what 17 these dollars would do. They would like to plant trees and more ivy to beatify Central Park. In a 18 roundabout way Mr. Hanson and SABA have similar goals; they want the best park possible and 19 these dollars will be used to make this a better park and better place. 20 21 Commissioner Chaput inquired if SABA has explored other fundraising avenues. Mr. Urdahl 22 provided information on past fundraising events conducted by SABA. 23 24 Commissioner Cincoski asked if there is an estimated annual potential revenue that is targeted. 25 Mr. Urdahl replied this would depend on the willingness of businesses to participate. They would 26 hope to raise between $5,000 and$8,000 per year. The school district is not able to provide 27 anything more than cutting grass, fertilizing, and taking care of the bare bones minimum for park 28 maintenance; this would supplement that source to make improvements they have not been able 29 to do. 30 31 Commissioner Jensen inquired about funding for the landscaping design for the perimeter of the 32 ball field. Mr. Urdahl indicated there is not currently a plan in place. The first thing SABA would 33 like to see happen is trees from center field to left field. The preference for the field would be to 34 have a break and more natural boundaries such as trees. 35 36 Mr. Hanson stated there is no plan and no accountability. This is obviously a fundraiser to raise 37 $5,000 to $8,000. He pointed out that the school district just bought a new mower for the fields, 38 which cost roughly$26,000. The American Legion gives tens of thousands of dollars and has 39 never asked once to have their name displayed. He sympathizes with SABA, but the people that 40 come to the park should not be exposed to this type of pollution. He expressed concern that the 41 same situation will soon spread to the tennis courts and hockey rinks. 42 43 Chair Stromgren closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. 44 45 Commissioner Jensen there is a mechanism for debate to be handled under the conditional use 46 permit process whereby criteria in the City Code requires that a plan specifically must show what