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City Council Minutes Page 5 <br /> November 18,2013 <br /> Councilmember Wilson stated that he does not like to see the Commercial Reserve <br /> Transition (CRT) area at a standstill. He questioned if a billboard is constructed in <br /> that area if a condition could be added for the billboard to be removed. Mr. Barnhart <br /> explained that the CRT area has a number of uses that are allowed and that the only <br /> change was regarding the subdivision of lots. He also stated that the requirement for <br /> billboards to be principle use dates back to the original code in 1982 and staff is <br /> strongly opposed to changing that requirement. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard indicated that he likes Mr. Anderson's suggestion of <br /> eliminating the principle use language in the I-2 zoning district as outlined on the <br /> handout from Mr. Anderson. Mr. Barnhart stated that billboards are currently <br /> allowed in the I-2 district but need to be at least one acre and the businesses along <br /> Highway 169 have not been willing to set aside an acre for billboards in the past. <br /> Councilmember Burandt questioned if the minimum lot size in the I-2 District can <br /> be reduced to permit billboards on smaller lots. <br /> Councilmember Motin stated he has no concern over changing the height allowance <br /> to 35 feet. He explained he believes billboards are an eyesore and do not follow the <br /> beautification plan for Elk River. He stated he does not support an expansion of <br /> billboards in the CRT area until the Council has decided the plan for that area. He <br /> indicated he may support allowing billboards on'/2 acre in the I-2 district as long as <br /> the billboard is on a separate parcel. <br /> Mayor Dietz explained that he would like to find a way to allow more billboards. He <br /> agreed with Councilmember Motin regarding the '/2 acre parcels in the I-2 zoning <br /> district. He would also like to research allowing billboards in the CRT district. <br /> Councilmembers Wilson and Burandt concurred. <br /> Council concurred with staff s recommendation to allow billboards 35 feet in height. <br /> Consensus was also for staff to research options to allow billboards in additional <br /> locations on Highway 169. Options discussed were to allow billboards in I-2 zoning <br /> district on '/2 acre parcels and in the Commercial Reserve Transition area. <br /> Freestanding Signs <br /> Councilmember Westgaard questioned the reason between the Planning <br /> Commission recommendation and staff recommendation. Mr. Barnhart explained <br /> that staff feels that the requirements outlined by the Planning Commission are too <br /> large. <br /> Mayor Dietz indicated that he originally believed any business would be allowed to <br /> advertise on the Granite Shores sign. Mr. Barnhart explained that the Council should <br /> be cautious allowing businesses to advertise off site and recommended if the Council <br /> is interested in pursuing, staff work with the city attorney. <br /> P O W E R E D 0 Y <br /> 1`4M <br />