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Vice-Chair Birch stated Planning Commission Member Larson won't be voting against an <br /> American flag. Some people may say you are voting against an American flag. You are <br /> voicing your opinion on our standards for structure height. They can fly all the American <br /> flags they want. We are only discussing how high the structure can be. If we allow this <br /> at 8o feet and we don't have very good Findings why they can be at 8o feet, then every <br /> applicant that comes and wants to put up a structure,we are going to have to abide by the <br /> same standard. This is simply setting a standard in our community that we don't want to <br /> see duplicated. <br /> Mayor Tayloe asked who else would want to put up a flag like that. Planning Commission <br /> Member Savino asked if the standards were in place before the bypass. Vice-Chair Birch <br /> stated they may have been. Planning Commission Member Savino stated there has been <br /> a pretty significant change with the highway going around town. Vice Chair Birch stated <br /> the development of the Comprehensive Plan update was done post-bypass, so these <br /> standards and all of those things were considered by this Commission after the bypass. <br /> Vice-Chair Birch stated what he is hearing is that we would vote to allow the Variance <br /> with the Finding that the overpass is a practical difficulty due to the height of the bypass <br /> so the 8o foot flag pole would be allowed due to that unique structure and that the bypass <br /> prevents visibility to the subject property for motorists traveling south on State Highway <br /> 371. <br /> Planning Commission Member Wilson stated if this is allowed,the Planning Commission <br /> is opening a can of worms. What are we going to say to the next applicant that wants to <br /> exceed the height? It could be anything, not necessarily a flag pole; it could be lighting or <br /> a billboard. We are setting a precedent if we approve this request. And that is something <br /> we are going to have to live with. It is nice driving along and seeing the trees. That is <br /> what people think of being up north. And now we are going to exceed the height of the <br /> trees with a flag. That piece of property is so visible that even a 25 foot flag pole would <br /> stand out. <br /> Harold Herboldt, owner of Flour Sack Antiques — He stated their sign is higher than 25 <br /> feet and people are driving on Highway 37i at�o miles an hour. A flag up high will draw <br /> their attention. The area is unique and would attract attention and bring people into <br /> town. <br /> Planning Commission Member Norton asked how high the buildings are. Mr. Babinski <br /> stated they have i8 foot sidewalls, so possibly 25 feet. <br /> Mr. Babinski stated that as you drive into Nisswa you see Lee Anderson's flag at �o feet <br /> and that is right along the highway. It makes an impression,but it doesn't stick out. <br /> MINUTES g <br /> Pequot Lakes Planning Commission <br /> April i8, 2oi9 <br />