04-28-1992 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes April 28, 1992 Page 4 . COMMISSIONER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 8. Consider Ordinance Amendment/Sign Regulations/Section Portable Signs, Home Occupation Signs, window signs, Large Commercial Business/P.H. 900. 22/Temporary and Signs for Janelle Szklarski, Zoning Assistant, stated that the sign ordinance is once again scheduled for review by the Planning Commission. Staff felt that four specific areas should be addressed during Planning Commission's review of this ordinance: off premise portable signs, off premise home occupation signs, window signs, and large commercial signs. OFF PREMISE PORTABLE SIGNS: Ms. Szklarski, stated that when the Planning Commission reviewed this item last year, they were uncomfortable with the term "non profit". Staff suggested that the City should use the same criteria which the IRS uses to determine whether a business is non profit. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed amendment which would allow non profit groups to advertise fund raising events off premise, but feels a cap should be put on the number of signs that these organizations can have at one time. Ms. Szklarski suggested that nonprofit organizations be limited to four signs per event. . The question was raised who was responsible for the removal of these signs. Ms. Szklarski stated that staff has never had a problem with their removal because the applicant is required to leave a $50 deposit. Commissioner Tveite stated that a $50 deposit would go a long way to assure accountability. Steve Rohlf stated that the Building and Zoning Administrator has the authority to cause removal of these signs if they were to cause a dangerous situation. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that they were in agreement with staff's memo and the proposed ordinance amendment language as proposed by staff with the inclusion of a definition of "non profit" status as outlined by the IRS determination. HOME OCCUPATIONS SIGNS: Ms. Szklarski stated that the issue of off premise home occupation signs was raised when the Kennedy Garden Greenhouse case was before the Planning Commission and City Council last summer. The City Council approved their conditional use permit request but directed staff to investigate alternatives available in regards to the existing off-premise signs advertising their business. The City attorney reviewed this and felt that there was no provisions in the City's ordinance to allow seasonal off-premise signs for home occupations. . LeeRoy Kennedy, 10205 201st Ave. NW, indicated that there are four 201st Avenues in Elk River that are not connected and he stated that without the signs, people would not be able to locate their business. He further stated that these are directional signs in a rural area and they would only be up a couple months out of the year as they are a seasonal business. Mrs. Kennedy stated that a sign on their building would not do them any good because they do not live on a main highway.