04-19-2018 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

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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. Bittaer stated the City needs to be careful of First Amendment rights, as well as content. Curt Johnson suggested reaching out to professionals. The technology for signs is changing and the new normal for size is i2'X 24',what they call Dynamic Signs. The significant impact that was made to that corridor is going to be a legal precedent for these guys that do this every day. A very well crafted ordinance like you are considering, from boundary to boundary, have some guidelines,because it is going to happen. The legal precedent will be set. Chair Hallan stated special meetings will need to be scheduled. Staff will need to hear back from the City Attorney and collect information regarding the Commission of Transportation and submittal timeframe. Staff was directed to develop a timeline to help this process move forward efficiently. Chair Hallan suggested contacting the League of Minnesota Cities to see if there have been other cities that have run into the same issue within the past lo years. He was specifically concerned with the overlay district. Planning Commission Member Birch was concerned that negative impacts of advertising other communities businesses could adversely affect our own businesses. Ms. Monroe stated she hoped Pequot Lakes businesses would advertise on the sign;that is the objective. � Council Member Akerson requested the Planning Commission address allowing offsite signs at some time in the future. Bittner offered the following for consideration: • May 3 — hold special meeting, present draft timeline and any new information collected; • May 1�— present new information collected, possible draft ordinance language, and update timeline; • May 3� —hold public hearing at special meeting; • June 5 — present ordinance amendment to City Council for approval. Chair Hallan called for a special meeting on May g. The agenda would not contain any items other than the sign ordinance amendment allowing billboards. He further stated the Planning Commission Members keep Thursday, May 31 open for another special meeting. Ms. Monroe thanked the Planning Commission on behalf of the business owners for their willingness to e�edite the process. MINUTES 12 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission I April i9, 2oi8