06-26-1984 PC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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D Planning Commission Minutes June 26, 1984 Page Two 5. Zone Change Request by Mr. Erwin Specht Mr. Erwin Specht was present for this item at the Planning Commission Meeting. Chairman Tracy indicated that Mr. Specht, who lives at the corner of i65th Avenue and Highway #10 was present to request a zone change for his property from A-l to C-3a/highway commercial. Chairman Tracy further indicated that the main reason for Mr. Specht's request is so that he may continue, and to possibly construct additional highway billboard signs along his frontage along Highway #10. Rick Breezee indicated to the Planning Commissioners that late in the winter of 1983 and the early part of the year 1984, the Planning Commission and City Council had decided to get as much green space as possible along the frontage along High- way #10 coming into the City. Rick Breezee further indicated that this area was zoned I-l and C~3A, and that it had been then rezoned to A-l. Mr. Breezee further indicated that billboards are allowed in I-l and C-3 zones, whereas they are not allowed in A-l zones. Mr. Specht indicated that he was not made aware of the zone change back to A-l, and that he had been approached by sign companies to place a billboard on his property, and when the sign company came to City Hall for the permit and found out they could not place the sign on Mr. Specht's property because of the zoning, they went back, to Mr. Specht and told him this. Mr. Specht indicated that this had been the first time he had been made aware of the zone change. Mr. Specht indicated that there are seven signs in the area now and that they are properly spaced and that there is room for three more signs in a 500 foot strip. Commissioner Tralle stated that one of the main reasons for rezoning the area to A-l was for the main corridors coming into the City and trying to keep the agricultural land intact. Mr. Specht wanted to know who pays the land owners for the pLeasure people get looking at their agricultural land while passing through Elk River. He also indicated that the sign companies give these landowners a nice income. Chairman Tracy indicated that he feels a concern for the way the City looks. He indicated he felt Highway #10 looks cluttered, and that the signs are a distraction and not aesthetically pleasing. Chairman Tracy further indicated that he would be opposed to the rezoning. Commissioner Pearce indicated to Mr. Specht that he would be able to continue to keep his existing signs. Mr. Specht indicated that he was being deprived of further income. COMMISSIONER PEARCE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE REQUEST FOR ZONE CHANGE BY MR. ERWIN SPECHT OF 16330 HIGHWAY 10, ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA, FROM A-l TO C-3 FOR THE AREA OF 100 FEET OF FRONTAGE OFF OF HIGHWAY #10 FROM l65TH AVENUE ON WEST, TO KELLY FARM PROPERTY ON THE EAST BE DENIED ON THE BASIS THAT IT HAD BEEN JUST RECENTLY REZONED TO A-l FOR AESTHETIC REASONS, AND TO REZONE IT BACK FOR SIGNS WOULD BE IMPROPER. COMMISSIONER TRALLE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 6-0.