Minutes - Planning Commission - 11/21/2024

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Commissioner Bauer suggested that the no advertising for menu boards be changed to no outside advertising, as that would allow a business to advertise their own specials but not advertise for another business. Commissioner Hunt used the example of McDonald's which may advertise their happy meal toys, which could be in partnership with a movie and asked if that would qualify as advertising another business. Commissioner Peters commented that he would believe that would fall under the category of selling a product that McDonald's is selling. Chairperson Gengler commented that she has not seen a menu board advertising for another business, so perhaps that language is just not needed in the code any longer. Commissioner Peters agreed that language could just be removed. Chairperson Gengler asked if there should be regulations on dynamic signs or dynamic monument signs and provided some examples. Senior Planner Martin commented that those standards would come forward for discussion at the December meeting. He welcomed any input the Commission may have on how to make the standards for freestanding signs more efficient and consistent across the zoning districts. Planning Manager Larson commented that the biggest question staff had on this section was related to the freestanding square footage sign requirement for the COR, noting that none of the existing signs meet that size. He stated that rather than making all those businesses come in to make a request to allow their sign, the standard should just be increased to bring those signs into compliance and to be consistent with what is allowed in the other districts. The Commission supported that change. Senior Planner Martin noted another maximum within the COR for sign height that does not match the standards outside of the COR, nor does it match the signs that exist. Chairperson Gengler asked if staff is open to variations between the different COR zones, as it could make sense to allow higher signs in the more business/external zones, such as near Cobom's, rather than the internal zones. Commissioner Bauer commented that his other concern would be that traffic will move faster on the highway with the elimination of the stoplights. He stated that if they are attempting to attract businesses to the COR, they will want to have proper signage to direct drivers from the highway to the COR. Commissioner Peters asked if the six-foot height applies to any style sign. He noted that some people are taller than six feet. Planning Commission/ November 21, 2024 Page 4 of 7