Minutes - Council - 10/28/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Development Director Miller stated that she believes that the Council approved this last March. Councilmember Dehen asked, when requests for overages come to the Council, what the criteria is for allowing these. He stated that he' does not recall if he was present for the approval of these funds and asked how the Council decides who to subsidize. He questioned whether this would be opening Pandora's Box for sign overages and again how does the City decide who to give money to through EDA funds. He stated that he fears that the Council will get these request whenever there is construction. He stated that there would be a project coming up on Armstrong next year and wonders if the same request will come for that project. City Administrator Ulrich stated that he wants to clarify that the subsidy was approved by the EDA, separate from the Council, based on Council direction given after the decision to close the inedian and create hard channelization. He stated that this has not been set into a formal policy, but that may be the next direction for the Council to take, so there is uniformity for these types of subsidies. Councilmember Elvig stated that he is not familiar with any other subsidies like this and feels this came from direction of the Council to the EDA to take a look at this. Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he was at the EDA meeting where this was discussed and one thing he expressed concerned about was precedent, but it was discussed that it was due to the median closure at Sunfish Lake Boulevard and to help direct business in there. He stated that he agrees that there should be a policy created for future requests that come to the City. Community Development Director Miller stated that she wanted to clarify that one of the things that staff specifically looks at when a CUP comes in for a sign overage for size is what the conditions at the site and the business are. She stated that one of the issues with this sign is it is for a multi-tenant facility and some of the tenants that have left stated that there was not room for them on the sign and felt people didn't know their business was there. Councilmember Elvig stated that the City approved a similar sign overage at Coborn's recently. Councilmember Dehen asked if there was a need for the Councilor staff to revisit whether an excess of 100 sq. ft. is enough for a multi-tenant. Community Development Director Miller stated that staff is looking at the sign code and noted that some of the other communities have a master sign permit that specifically addresses multi- tenant businesses, which allows some flexible criteria for height and size. Councilmember Dehen asked if this sign would also govern the gas station. Community Development Director Miller stated that the sign is just for the multi-tenant facility, the gas station would have a separate sign, although the gas station owner will have to sign off on the entrance sign. City Council October 28, 2008 Page 8 of 20