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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 24, 2006 Page 5 1 were on a pylon sign, as the only reason this is being considered is for safety reasons. He stated 2 he would exclude monument signs, as they exhibit no safety issue. Councilmember Stille 3 explained the only way this could be justified to other businesses was if it were truly a safety 4 issue. 5 6 Councilmember Theusen stated, for the most part, he is in agreement with the Planning 7 Commission. He mentioned he favors the monument, but if it is limited it to just one such as a 8 pylon sign, this might take away the unique characteristics of a business. He stated there is a 9 difference between this request and the other requests that were advertising for milk or bread. 10 Councilmember Theusen stated the Planning Commission covered some of the important points 11 such as scrolling, blinking, and flashing. He stated he is open to looking at the pylon versus 12 monument issue. 13 14 Councilmember Horst stated this is long over due, particularly in the gas industry where they 15 have undergone some tremendous changes in pricing; it is difficult to keep up with changing gas 16 prices. He stated it is something needed in the 21St century. Councilmember Horst stated the 17 signs do not need to be overly bright or wild. He stated the City has a red sign that does not flash 18 and it should extend the same courtesy to area businesses. He expressed he is in favor of the 19 amendment and believes it is overdue. 20 21 Mayor Faust stated there are seven gas stations in the community, and once approved, the genie 22 is out of the bottle. He asked what makes gas stations a privileged player. Mayor Faust 23 explained the individuals who worked on the sign ordinance used the same neon signs as bad 24 examples. He stated he is not sure if the issue is safety or more of convenience and for 25 advertising. He said everyone is in the same competitive arena at this point. Mayor Faust 26 explained the sign the community uses for hours of operation is turned off at 10:00 p.m. and 27 turned back on at 6:00 a.m. He mentioned at one point, canopies were on the agenda and now 28 every gas station has a canopy. He stated canopies do not extend themselves to Wal-Mart, 29 Culvers or other businesses. Mayor Faust stressed if St. Anthony had a gas sign at the entrance 30 of 39th and Silver Lake Road, into Silver Lake village it would take away from all the hard work 31 done and there would be no way of denying it once this ordinance were approved. Mayor Faust 32 stated in his opinion, it is best to keep the ordinance the way it is. 33 34 Commissioner Gray asked Chair Stromgren if any other technology could be used. 35 36 Chair Stromgren stated LCDs were not used for exterior signs in warm climates, but especially 37 not in cold climates. He stated flipper signs are often used; however, they are not common in 38 northern climates. He stated the use of LEDs for changeable copy signs are by far the most 39 commonly used in northern climates. 40 41 Motion by Councilmember Thuesen, seconded by Councilmember Horst, to Ordinance 2006- 42 006; an Ordinance .Amending Chapter 14 of the City Code, being Sign Regulations with a 43 change of 14.5 with no restrictions for monument or pylon. 44 45 Councilmember Stille stated he would not be in favor of this if it included other than pylon signs. 5