07-17-2014 Planning Commission Minutes

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Council Member Pederson stated the Legion is out of compliance now with their signage. Brandon Andersen stated he was representing his business and that he is on the School Board and will report back to Superintendent Lindholm. He stated he attended meetings 7 years ago where there were a number of discussions about the sign ordinance, not digital. He stated he has spoken with a sign professional who stated Pequot Lakes has one of the most restrictive ordinances in the State of Minnesota. There may be a potential for 99 signs,but the Planning Commission keeps taking these things to the extreme; they take common sense out of it. Signs are expensive and a temporary ordinance is a waste. We need more business owners in this town; we need more business people to invest in our community. The City is making that more difficult. The recommendation for 8"letters is ridiculous; 5"letters are perfectly easy to read. He further stated that the City should consult an attorney as it cannot regulate content. The 6 hour requirement is laughable. The School would want the message to change more than 3 times a day; changing every 10 minutes would get away from scrolling signs. The School does not have highway frontage but would like to have the opportunity for an off premise sign. A business owner along the highway could allow the School to have an offsite sign. Off premise signs should be revisited. Not being able to advertise games is a shame for our kids. Council Member Pederson stated there are two stumbling blocks. First,the ordinance has to fit the Comprehensive Plan or the Comprehensive Plan has to change. Second is the purpose statement in the ordinance. If an amendment goes outside the purpose, then the purpose has to change. There is a statement in the sign ordinance that talks about why there is an ordinance. Maybe Pequot Lakes should not have an ordinance at all, anything goes. He further stated he is not endorsing that though. Brandon Andersen had a good point;the City cannot regulate content. If the Legion has a sign, why can't they advertise a game at the school? Planning Commission Member Habein stated 3 businesses made this application,with only one representative at the meeting. He would like to see more representation from the public. Planning Commission Member Brown stated she would like to hear from the residents also, not just businesses. Planning Commission Member Hallan stated we could send out invitations as we have in the past. It was noted that the Public Hearing Notices are placed as Legal Notices in the newspaper. Council Member Sjoblad stated he spent his career as a counselor. It seems like everybody is trying to scare us out of doing the right thing. The Legion wants a sign that simply says "Taco Tuesday"or"Live Music". They are not looking to have signs with MINUTES 8 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission July 17, 2014