03.01A & 03.01B Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes August 7, 2007 Page 7 of 12 ---------------------------- Lisa Paxton noted that a grant could be applied for through the Initiative Foundation to help fund the project. It was the consensus of the City Council to authorize the City to apply for the grant through the Initiative Foundation to help fund the project. 6. Planninq and Zoning Monthly Report Report received by Council. 6.1. Request from Chamber for Sign Ordinance Amendment Ruth Ann Hanson, Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the Pequot Lakes/Breezy Point Advisory Committee of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber has researched 5Aii of the City's sign ordinance and feels that it is too restrictive for the local businesses. She noted that the Brainerd Lakes Chamber is requesting the City Council to amend the ordinance as follows: "Sign area is calculated as the total signage and shall include all area bound by a rectangle that encompasses the markings that comprise the sign. For two-sided signs, only one side constitutes the calculated area." Mayor Malecha noted that large signs in certain areas of downtown would make the downtown undesirable. Tom Adams, Planning Commissioner indicated that the City's ordinance is not uncompetitive with other areas in Minnesota. He noted that the businesses had been notified and involved in the current sign ordinance. He further indicated that there has been only one variance request to the sign ordinance since its adoption two years ago. Council Member Ryan indicated that he feels the City's ordinance is overly restrictive and that it does differ from neighboring communities, thereby putting the City of Pequot Lakes at a disadvantage. COUNCIL MEMBER SJOBLAD MOVED TO MAKE NO CHANGE TO THE EXISTING SIGN ORDINANCE. COUNCIL MEMBER ORASKOVICH SECONDED THE MOTION. Council Member Oraskovich indicated a concern with preservation of green space. He also noted that there are businesses in the area that are satisfied with the existing sign ordinance.