06.01 Planning Commission Report

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Chair Hallan pointed out the Planning Commission will need to decide what the zoning will be;billboards may only be placed on commercial or industrial zoned property. The City property along the Highway is zoned Public. At the April Council meeting,we were loolang to allow billboards in the Public zone. He reminded everyone that if this change is made there could be private property owners along the Highway that may come in for a zoning change to allow billboards. Mr. Burslie stated we are also looking at an overlay zone which would be a specific area where billboards would be allowed. Overlay districts allow uses that aren't necessarily allowed in the underlying zone. Chair Hallan directly asked the Planning Commission if they did not want to see a change in the sign ordinance to allow billboards. As a community a decision was made in 2002 or 2003 that essentially rerouted Trunk Highway g�1. Our business community has to work with a different set of circumstances and we are being asked to see how we can work with those circumstances. Mayor Adams suggested including language regarding lumens for#he digital sign. Planning Commission Member Leckband inquired about the suggestec�size 400 or 450 sq.ft. In his e�rperience,the ma�timum billboard size is 45o sq.ft., 15'X 30'. Planning Commission Member Birch inquired about a future approval process. If we , make this ordinance change,that would exclude us from making decisions on future ' signs. A billboard would be included in the ordinance and would be approved. Mr. ' Burslie stated it would depend how it is permitted. If it is permitted as a conditional I use,it would come before the Planning Commission. If it is a permitted use,it would ' only go to the Council. Planning Commission Member Leckband suggested Staff look into a"billboard plaza". Planning Commission Member Birch stated the discussion began with 2 signs,but as the meeting goes on,billboards on personal property is also being discussed. Chair Hallan stated, as a group,we are looking at some type of ordinance amendment that is going to ' allow billboards along Highway 37i. This will most likely include an overlay district from city limit to city limit. St.�ff is worlang with the City Attorney but will likely include challenges if we just tried to do something on City property. This group needs to understand that this began to allow 2 signs out there,but we need to look at this entire stretch and how we are going to handle it. Spacing will limit the number. Chair Hallan stated that the Planning Commission Members have not stated they are against billboards. Mayor Adams reminded the Planning Commission that the Council directed them to develop a sign ordinance. Ms. Monroe stated the Council directed the signs to be on Public property. The Mayor reminded her Federal Law prevents that. Chair Hallan stated it has been learned that is not allowed. Bittner stated the City needs to be careful of First Amendment rights, as well as content. I MINUTES 11 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission April i9, 2oi8